Home › News › Local
Food Stamp usage could be higher in New Mexico, officials say
Just call
The Human Services Department is advertising on TV, radio and billboard in three languages to convince people to find out whether they are eligible for tax-funded programs like food stamps, health insurance and monthly cash assistance.
The department has even set up an eligibility hot line for the health support programs, but eligibility for food stamps and other programs is determined at local Human Services Department offices: (888) 997-2583.
RELATED STORIES
More Local
- ABQTrib.com to remain available
- Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
- Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity
MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES
-
ABQTrib.com to remain available
08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008 -
Congressman is indicted
08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Series of attacks target Green Zone
08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Iran is defying U.N., agency says
08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Waterboarding approval probed
08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008
TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*
- Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
- Is Rome Burning?
- Ominous Skies
- The Road to Invalidation
- Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.
STORY TOOLS
SHARE THIS STORY [?]
While the number of low income families enrolled in the state's cash assistance program hit an all-time low in 2007, the number of people using food stamps is near an all-time high.
Still, the state says there are an additional 60,000 people in Bernalillo County eligible for the program.
To reach them and another estimated 300,000 people eligible for other income support and health insurance programs, the department is using a TV, radio and billboard campaign.
At the same time, the Metropolitan Detention Center has hired a full-time employee to link inmates to income support programs.
"The money is there already. It's waiting," said Betina Gonzales McCracken, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services. "People need to know it is available. They think they don't qualify, because they have a job or there might be some stigma for whatever reason."
For the jail population, the issue isn't stigma or qualification, it's disqualification, said Matt Elwell, operation administrator at the jail.
The jail gets a federal financial incentive to provide the state Human Services Department and its equivalent federal agency with a list of inmates, so the department can check on their benefits.
After several months in jail, inmates' social security payments, welfare payments and food stamp eligibility is cut off.
"My job is to link them back to services, so they can get back on when they get out," said Paul Salcido, the jail's new full-time social services coordinator. "So they don't get out and have no money and no food and go commit more crimes."
