Grant County residents affected by the Trout Fire have until July 16 to apply for emergency replacement of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is providing this support to help families recover from fire-related damages, with replacement benefits available for SNAP households in ZIP codes 88053, 88061, and 88062.
“Our priority is to support those affected by the fires in Grant County,” said Niki Kozlowski, Income Support Division Director. “Replacing lost and damaged food is one of the ways we are helping impacted residents.”
Residents can report food loss either by calling (800) 283-4465 between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., or by visiting the HCA office at 3088 32nd Street Bypass, Suite A, Silver City, NM 88061 from Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
To qualify for replacement benefits, households must be current SNAP recipients living in the affected ZIP codes and report their food loss verbally or in writing by July 16. No documentation of specific food items is required; verbal reports are accepted.
Additionally, SNAP customers statewide can replace lost or damaged EBT cards via the FIS EBT Edge app, online at www.ebtedge.com, by calling 1-800-843-8303, or visiting a local HCA office.
This measure affects approximately 4,536 New Mexicans and was enabled through Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order declaring a state of emergency in Grant County due to the Trout Fire. These actions are part of ongoing efforts to assist families recovering from fire-related damage. The HCA emphasizes that eligible households should not delay as replacement benefits can only be processed if reported before the July 16 deadline.