New Mexico Register / Volume XXXI, Issue 24 / December 29, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Annual adjustments to the income limits found in 8.102.500 NMAC and 8.106.500 NMAC: Each year the Human Services Department is required to make changes to the income and resource eligibility standards and the deduction amounts available to otherwise eligible households. These amounts are determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). The Department received notification of the adjusted amounts on July 24, 2020 and made the adjustments effective for benefit month October 2020 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021 to comply with federal law and regulations. Regulations issued pursuant to the act are contained in 45 CFR Parts 200-299. Administration of the Human Services Department (HSD), including its authority to promulgate regulations, is governed by Chapter 9, Article 8, NMSA 1978 (Repl. 1983). The Department promulgated these rules as an emergency rule that were effective October 1, 2020 which does not permanently amend or repeal the existing rule and will only remain in effect until this permanent rule takes effect under the normal rule making process. A public hearing to receive public comment on this proposed rule, pursuant to Section 14-4-5.6 NMSA 1978, will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 9:00am-10:00am. The hearing will be held virtually through GoTo Meeting at this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/788310221. If you prefer to join via phone you may call +1 (872) 240-3311, Access Code: 788-310-221. You may provide written comment during the scheduled public hearing by dropping it off at the HSD Administrative Services Division (ASD) conference room, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505; this drop off site will be for written comment only. The conference room is located on the first floor in the ASD Rodeo Building.

The Human Services Register Vol. 43 No. 22 outlining the proposed regulations are available on the HSD’s website at: http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForInformation/income-support-division-registers.aspx. Individuals wishing to testify or to request a copy of the proposed regulation should contact the Income Support Division, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348, or by calling 505-827-7250 or 505-827-7254.

If you are a person with a disability and you require this information in an alternative format, or you require a special accommodation to participate in any HSD public hearing, program, or service, please contact the American Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 505-827-6201 or through the New Mexico Relay system, at 711 or toll free at 1-800-659-1779. The Department requests at least a 10-day advance notice to provide requested alternative formats and special accommodations.

Individuals who do not wish to attend the hearing may submit written or recorded comments. Written or recorded comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing, Friday, January 29, 2021. The agency shall post all written comments on its website, if one exists, as soon as practicable and no more than 3 business days following receipt to allow for public review. All written comments received by the agency shall also be available for public inspection at the main office of the agency. Please send comments to:

Human Services Department

P.O. Box 2348,

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348

You may send comments electronically to: HSD-isdrules@state.nm.us