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A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING EFFORTS TO EXPAND NEW MEXICO'S FOOD STAMP

ENROLLMENT AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEDERAL FOOD

STAMP PROGRAM TO NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY.

WHEREAS, the federal food stamp program has been renamed

the "supplemental nutrition assistance program" and is called

"SNAP"; and

WHEREAS, the name change and other important changes

will become effective October 1, 2008; and

WHEREAS, low-income New Mexicans are encouraged to apply

for food stamps not only because food stamps improve nutrition

for New Mexico families, but also because food stamps help New

Mexico's economy; and

WHEREAS, the federal government funds all food stamp

benefits; and

WHEREAS, in June 2008 alone, New Mexico's ninety-seven

thousand nine hundred eighty-nine food stamp cases generated

over twenty-two million dollars ($22,000,000) in the local

economy; and

WHEREAS, many people eligible for food stamps are not

enrolled and benefits will increase because of federal

changes; and

WHEREAS, more New Mexicans would benefit if New Mexico

joined Arizona, Texas and thirteen other states in eliminating

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or greatly increasing financial asset limits for food stamps

and, thus, encourage savings; and

WHEREAS, community partners and organizations can assist

with food stamp enrollment;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the human

services department be urged to develop and implement

additional outreach efforts to encourage all eligible low-

income New Mexicans to apply for food stamp benefits; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department be urged to increase the use of community partners

and organizations to assist with food stamp enrollment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department be urged to join the other fifteen states that have

raised or eliminated the financial asset limit allowed for

families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department be urged to increase the use of telephone

eligibility interviews and further simplify the enrollment

process for food stamps; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department be encouraged to provide information about food

stamp eligibility in English and Spanish for all low-income

comprehensive tax rebate clients and provide information on

how to apply for food stamps; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services

department report to the legislative health and human services

committee by its November 2009 meeting on the department's

efforts and plans to enroll more food stamp clients and the

results it has seen from such efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of human services and the chair

of the legislative health and human services committee.