The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty has asked a federal judge to temporarily stop the state from implementing rules that tie food assistance to employment.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the filing Wednesday is part of a decades-old federal case in which the state agreed to improve how it communicates with low-income residents about public health benefits — including food assistance.
The lawsuit accuses the state Human Services Department of sending incorrect notices about the rule, which went into effect Jan. 1 and requires most childless adults under the age of 50 who receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to prove they spend 80 hours a month in an approved work activity.
Human Services spokesman Kyler Nerison said the agency disagrees that its notification violated federal law.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican.
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