The state legislature held a special session to pass a bill allocating $319 million of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support New Mexicans impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Here is a summary of what is provided and how to get more information about how to access those benefits.

  • $194 Million for Unemployment Assistance – $1,200 benefit to New Mexicans who are currently on and determined eligible under an unemployment benefits program, who have recently exhausted unemployment benefits since September 12, or who will enroll in an unemployment program in the coming week. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will administer this funding.
  • $100 Million for Small Business Grants grants to small businesses. New Mexico for-profit and nonprofit businesses with less than 100 employees can receive up to $50,000. NMFA will prioritize hospitality and leisure businesses and businesses that have experienced a severe economic impact from public health orders. Businesses will not be required to repay the funds. The New Mexico Finance Authority will administer this funding.
  • $15 Million for Emergency Housing Support. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority will administer this funding. Open application TBD. Call for details. 
  • $5 Million for Food Bank Support to increase service capacity for those in need. New Mexico Human Services Department will administer this funding.
  • $5 Million for Low-Income Assistance for residents up to $750 per household that did not receive a stimulus payment from the federal government. This may includes persons without a social security
    number and low income persons who didn’t have to file taxes and therefore were unidentifiable by the IRS for stimulus checks. New Mexico Human Services Department will administer this funding.

  • $10 Million for Emergency Health Services specifically for contact tracing, increased testing capacity, and vaccine distribution coordination
  • $200,000 for New Mexico Courts to come into COVID-safe compliance for safety of the public and staff. 

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR NEW MEXICANS IMPACTED BY COVID-19