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A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONSISTENTLY

PROCESS PUBLIC BENEFITS APPLICATIONS.

WHEREAS, one-fifth of all New Mexicans live at or below

the federal poverty level, while another twenty-five percent

live below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level,

an even more accurate measure of poverty; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico rates first in the nation for food

insecurity; and

WHEREAS, one-third of all New Mexicans who are eligible

for food stamps are not receiving food stamps; and

WHEREAS, one-third of all New Mexicans who live below

the federal poverty level are without health insurance, and

one-third of those who earn between one hundred percent and

one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level

are uninsured; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has the nation's second-highest

percentage of people living without health insurance coverage;

and

WHEREAS, almost one-third of New Mexican children who

are eligible for medicaid are not enrolled; and

WHEREAS, health care providers and advocates for the

poor report that the current application procedures for public

benefits are burdensome and prevent eligible New Mexicans from

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receiving the benefits to which they are entitled;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the human services department be

requested to:

A. conduct additional outreach so that New

Mexicans who are potentially eligible for public benefits are

made aware of existing programs and the steps they must take

to apply for them;

B. use uniform and simple application procedures

and policies in all field offices, so that eligible applicants

are not incorrectly denied benefits;

C. ensure that applicants receive a receipt for

their application so that they can provide the date and place

they applied;

D. assist all applicants in both filling out the

application and obtaining the verifications necessary to

receive benefits;

E. ensure that anyone who applies for a benefits

program be screened for all programs for which the person may

be eligible;

F. ensure that applicants do not have to wait more

than one hour to see a caseworker to receive assistance with

benefits programs;

G. translate all forms into Spanish and, upon

request, other languages used by the clients; and

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H. identify applicants needing special assistance

with the application procedures and give them that assistance;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department be requested to track the use of the outlined

procedures and report to the interim legislative welfare

reform oversight committee concerning its progress in the fall

of 2007 and the fall of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of human services and the

governor.