Valencia County residents affected by the Desert Willow Complex Fire have until July 21 to request 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.
"Our priority is to support those affected by the fires in Valencia 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 100 S. 5th Street, Belen, NM during business hours.
To qualify for replacement benefits, households must be current SNAP recipients living in ZIP code 87031 and report food loss verbally or in writing by July 21. No documentation of specific food items is required.
SNAP customers statewide can replace lost or damaged EBT cards via the FIS EBT Edge app, online at www.ebtedge.com, through phone at 1-800-843-8303, or at a local HCA office.
This initiative was made possible through an executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declaring a state of emergency in Valencia County due to the fire. The HCA emphasizes that eligible households should act quickly as replacement benefits are only processed if reported before the deadline.
The HCA also offers written information in English and Spanish and interpretation services in multiple languages through CTS Language Link. Relay New Mexico provides free communication access for hearing-impaired customers.
