How do I apply for multiple assistance programs at once in New Mexico?

The YesNM online portal (yes.state.nm.us) allows you to apply for SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, cash assistance (TANF), and utility assistance through a single application. If you need help completing it, call the HSD Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465 or visit your local Income Support Division office, where staff can assist you in person.

What help is available for childcare costs in New Mexico?

New Mexico offers childcare subsidy assistance for income-eligible working families and those in job training or education through the Child Care Assistance Program, administered by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). To find out if you qualify and how to apply, contact ECECD directly or dial 2-1-1 New Mexico, which can connect you with the childcare resource and referral agency serving your region.

Is there emergency rental or housing assistance available for families in New Mexico?

Yes. Emergency rental assistance programs exist in New Mexico and are often administered at the county or city level through HUD-funded Continuum of Care networks and community action agencies. Availability and eligibility rules vary by location and funding cycle. Dial 2-1-1 New Mexico for the most current list of programs accepting applications in your area. If you are experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk, ask specifically about emergency shelter and rapid rehousing resources.

What services are available for older adults or grandparents raising grandchildren in New Mexico?

Older adults can access in-home support, meal delivery, caregiver relief, and other services through the state's network of Area Agencies on Aging. Call the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to be connected to the Area Agency on Aging for your part of New Mexico. Grandparents and other kinship caregivers raising children may also be eligible for SNAP, Medicaid for the children, and kinship support services — dial 2-1-1 or contact the NM Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) for guidance specific to your situation.

Child & Family Assistance Resources in New Mexico

Last updated September 11, 2026

New Mexico families facing hardship have access to a range of state and federally funded programs covering basic needs like food, healthcare, utility bills, and emergency housing. The best starting point for most residents is 2-1-1 New Mexico — a free, confidential helpline available 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1, texting your zip code to 898-211, or searching online at nm211.org. Trained specialists can connect you with local resources in your county, including programs not listed here.

Many assistance programs in New Mexico are administered through the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD), which oversees Medicaid, SNAP food benefits, cash assistance, and child support services. Applications for several of these programs can be submitted together through the YesNM online portal at yes.state.nm.us, or in person at your local HSD Income Support Division office.

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis — whether from domestic violence, a mental health emergency, or unsafe housing — please reach out to a crisis line first. Help is available around the clock, and most programs have no-wrong-door policies that can connect you to the right service even if you start in the wrong place.

Key programs in New Mexico

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) — NM Human Services Department

Monthly electronic benefits (an EBT card) to purchase groceries for income-eligible individuals and families. Benefit amounts are based on household size and income.

How to access: Apply online at yes.state.nm.us, call the HSD Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465, or visit a local Income Support Division office. You can find your nearest office through the HSD website at hsd.state.nm.us.

Medicaid / CHIP (New Mexico Human Services Department)

Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible children, pregnant individuals, parents, and adults. New Mexico has expanded Medicaid, so income limits are broader than in many states. CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.

How to access: Apply at yes.state.nm.us or call 1-800-283-4465. You can also apply through HealthCare.gov, where a federal marketplace plan or Medicaid referral may both be options depending on your income.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) — NM Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department

Helps income-eligible households pay heating and cooling utility bills, and may provide emergency assistance to prevent shutoff. New Mexico administers LIHEAP through its Energy Conservation and Management Division.

How to access: Contact your local community action agency or dial 2-1-1 to find the LIHEAP intake site serving your county. Program availability depends on annual federal funding and application periods, so check early in the heating season.

WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children) — NM Department of Health

Provides nutritious foods, infant formula, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children under age 5 who meet income and nutritional-risk guidelines.

How to access: Call the New Mexico WIC Program at 1-800-797-3452 or visit nmhealth.org/about/phd/fhb/wic to find a clinic near you. Walk-ins are often welcome, and WIC offices are located throughout the state including rural areas.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline / National Domestic Violence Hotline

WIC Program teaches her how to breastfeed. Once she’s had her baby, WIC provides peer counseling and support as well as breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies. Breastfeeding moms on WIC also receive more food and for a longer time period.

Cameron, Texas(254) 697-4913

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Other resources in New Mexico

Child & Family Assistance in other states

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