Request Human Services Department to Report Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Legal Advocacy Project Data
HM 18 ensures the Legislature hears from HSD and stakeholders on the pilot. Future legislation could institutionalize the SSI advocacy model to create a self-funded cash assistance program in New Mexico. HM 18 will ensure that the legislature has critical information about the pilot, its effectiveness, and information from key stakeholders.
In 2022, the NM Human Services Department (HSD) issued an RFP for a pilot program to provide legal advocacy to up to 150 New Mexicans participating in state funded General Assistance transition to federally funded SSI.
New Mexico currently uses $7.2 million in General Fund to provide cash assistance to extremely low income adults living with disabilities.
The federal government reimburses states when individuals transition from state funded cash assistance to the federal Supplemental Security Income. Some states help disabled adults transition from state funded cash assistance to federal SSI by providing legal assistance.
In addition to the federal reimbursement of cash assistance paid, SSI more than triples a participant's income from $245/month to $841/month, moving adults out of deep poverty. This increases housing stability and reduces food insecurity.
Other local governments have leveraged the reimbursement from federal disability to completely eliminate the need for state funding.