N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.501.8 - TRANSITION BONUS PROGRAM

A. Purpose: The TBP provides a limited duration and fixed month cash assistance bonus incentive to encourage NMW families to leave NMW cash assistance, participate in the TBP by maintaining a certain number of hours in paid employment and leave the TBP due to increased earnings. This program also provides supportive services on an ongoing basis, provided that the participant is eligible to receive the services during the months provided.

B. Method of payment: TBP payments are paid by issuing funds into an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) account accessible to the participant. In some circumstances benefits may be issued by warrant.

C. Fixed benefit amount: A non-prorated, benefit amount of $200 will be given to all TBP participants under one-hundred fifty-percent of federal poverty guidelines. The benefit can be reduced to recoup an existing cash assistance overpayment in accordance with 8.100.640 NMAC. The benefit will be countable for the benefit group's eligibility for SNAP and Medicaid benefits unless otherwise excluded.

D. Lifetime limits:

(1) The TBP benefit shall not be provided to an adult, minor head of household or the spouse of a minor head of household for more than 18 months during the individual's lifetime. A benefit group as defined at 8.102.400 NMAC shall be ineligible if the benefit group contains at least one adult, minor head of household or spouse of the minor head of household who has received 18 or more months of the TBP benefit.

(2) Any month in which an adult, a minor head of household, or the spouse of a minor head of household, has received full or partial TBP benefit shall be considered a month of receipt and shall be counted towards the 18 month lifetime limit for any benefit group in which that individual is a member.

(3) Participants who receive state funded TBP shall not have any month received count towards their 60-month lifetime limit for NMW eligibility.

(4) Participants who receive federally funded TBP shall have each month received count toward the 60-month lifetime limit for NMW eligibility.

(5) When state and federal funds are appropriated, the lifetime limit will be applied as follows:

(a) any participant who has received 31 months or more of TANF will receive state funds;

(b) any participant who has received 30 months or less of TANF will receive federal funds.

E. Initial eligibility:

(1) The TBP program shall be subject to all federal and state NMW cash assistance application, eligibility, certification and reporting requirements, except where specified within the TBP regulations. Resources of the budget group are excluded in determining eligibility for the TBP.

(2) Application requirements: Active NMW benefit groups that meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the TBP shall be eligible without an application. An application will be required if the NMW case is closed.

(3) The TBP shall be available only to a benefit group that meets all of the following criteria:

(a) does not simultaneously participate in the NMW program;

(b) has left the NMW cash assistance program;

(c) meets all TBP requirements and voluntarily chooses to participate in the program;

(d) is currently engaged in paid unsubsidized or subsidized employment, except for subsidized employment funded with TANF, for a minimum of 30 hours per week, and earnings paid at federal minimum wage, or if self-employed, working a minimum of 30 hours per week, and receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours;

(e) has gross income that does not exceed one-hundred fifty percent of federal poverty guidelines;

(f) has received NMW funded cash assistance for at least three months and one of the last three months; and

(g) does not include an adult, minor head of household or spouse of the minor head of household that participated in the TBP for 18 months in their lifetime or 60 months of TANF.

(4) Eligibility for the TBP shall be prospective for a six month period up to a lifetime limit of 18 months.

F. In accordance with Subsection B of 8.102.500.8 NMAC, income eligibility limits for the TBP will be revised and adjusted each year in October.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.501.8

8.102.501.8 NMAC - N, 7/1/2008; A, 8/14/2009, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11, June 13, 2023, eff. 7/1/2023, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024