NM HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES SECOND ROUND OF EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF

Community Groups Laud Legislature and Administration for Providing Cash Relief to New Mexicans Excluded from Federal Stimulus Programs

June 14, 2021

SANTA FE, NM – On Monday, June 14, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) began accepting applications for its second economic relief program for New Mexicans who were excluded from federal COVID-19 stimulus payments.  The New Mexico Economic Relief Working Group (ERWG), made up of immigrant-based organizations, lauded the Legislature for allocating $5 million from the state’s General Fund and the administration for implementing the program. The groups will hold a Facebook Live forum on Tuesday, June 15th to guide Spanish-speaking New Mexicans in applying for this and other relief programs, including rental and utility assistance.

According to New Mexico Voices for Children, more than 68,000 New Mexicans fell through the cracks when it came to federal economic relief during the pandemic. Residents who missed out on payments included thousands of mixed-status immigrant families that did not qualify for federal stimulus payments as well as other residents with very low incomes who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Most of these New Mexicans also did not qualify for unemployment benefits. These exclusions came at a high economic loss of over a hundred million dollars for those families, the state, and local economies.

The ERWG, whose members include NM CAFé, El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, Partnership for Community Action, New Mexico Voices for Children, and Somos Un Pueblo Unido, worked to secure this and other funding from local governments for cash relief for those excluded from federal COVID-19 relief payments. The ERWG has successfully advocated for approximately $24 million dollars for government-administered economic relief programs during the last year. Cash assistance allows families to determine how best to utilize economic support and is a proven way to stimulate the economy by putting money into the pockets of residents who will spend it in their communities, creating jobs, and supporting small businesses throughout the state.

The Spanish Facebook Live forum will be held on Tuesday June 15, 6:00 PM on the following Facebook pages.

CAFé’s Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/OrganizeNM/

Somos’ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SomosUnPueblo/

El CENTRO’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElCentrodeIgualdadyDerechos/

Statements from members of ERWG:

Alberto Molina, a 15-year resident of Hobbs and member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, lost his construction job during the pandemic and did not qualify for any of the federal stimulus payments or unemployment benefits. Upon applying for the state’s relief program on Monday, he said: “Despite having paid state and federal taxes and being a construction worker in Lea County for over a decade, my family was ineligible for all forms of cash assistance. We had to ask friends and family for loans to pay our bills, and we are still behind. The state’s relief will be so useful as we try to get back to normal. We need to keep supporting inclusion for all essential workers and struggling families because we are all a part of reconstructing our economy.”

Blanca Tovar, leader with NM CAFe, is a resident of Doña Ana County and a farm-worker, said: “During the pandemic, workers like my husband and myself were called “essential,” while at the same time being left out of many different kinds of economic relief. It has been a very difficult year for our family and families like ours. We are grateful to the state of New Mexico for including us in this economic relief program. I hope the state continues to support families like mine because the reality is that this pandemic and the hardships that came with it are not over yet.”

Olga Santana, a home healthcare aid and member of El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos in Albuquerque, lauded the State’s economic relief program. She said: "I lost my job as a home healthcare aid when my client tragically died from COVID-19. In addition, my entire family tested positive during the pandemic and my husband and I weren't able to work. At that time, we didn't know how we were going to feed our four children and avoid eviction. We are still working to catch up on all of our bills. We are heartened that the State has recognized the economic contributions of our communities and that they implemented an economic relief program without discriminating against mixed status families. An investment in our communities is an investment in New Mexico's economy."

Evelyn Ramos, a long-time member of Partnership for Community Action said: “We applaud the State of New Mexico for ensuring that all workers are able to access much needed cash relief. Unfortunately the federal government didn’t include undocumented workers in the first round of COVID relief money, and although some of undocumented workers were included in the second round, this support from the state will go a long way in our community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 James Jimenez, the executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children said, “By putting money into the hands of New Mexicans who will spend that money quickly and locally, this relief will help New Mexico families and children meet their basic needs while also benefiting local businesses and helping ensure our economy continues to get back on track.”

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Somos Un Pueblo Unido is a statewide immigrant-based civil and workers' rights organization with membership teams in eight counties and offices in Santa Fe, Hobbs and Roswell.