SNAP Waived Areas in New Mexico

Waived areas in New Mexico

Current waiver: January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (USDA letter dated October 23, 2025). 5 areas:

County

• Luna County (12.5% unemployment)

Pueblo areas

• Laguna Pueblo Reservation (10.5% unemployment)
• San Felipe Reservation (10.3% unemployment)
• Taos Pueblo and Off-Reservation (13.2% unemployment)
• Tesuque Pueblo and Off-Reservation (10.1% unemployment)

How these areas qualified: Luna County and all four pueblo areas had a 12-month average unemployment rate over 10% for June 2024 to May 2025.

What the waiver means if you live there

• The 3-month time limit does not apply while the waiver is in effect. Months you get SNAP while living in a waived area do not count toward your 3 months, even if you do not work 80 hours.
• It depends on where you live, not where you work. If you live outside the listed areas, the time limit applies to you even if your job or training is inside one.
• The general work rules still apply. A waiver does not cover them. If you are 16 to 59 and not excused, you must still register for work, accept a suitable job offer, not quit a job or cut your hours without good cause, and take part in a job program if your state refers you.
• Your state keeps counting the calendar. USDA tells states to keep tracking the 36-month period even in waived areas so they can restart the time limit when the waiver ends.
• Tribal areas cover everyone who lives there. A waived reservation or trust land area covers all residents, not only Tribal members. American Indian, Alaska Native, Urban Indian and California Indian people are exempt from the time limit wherever they live.

When the waiver ends

The approval ends December 31, 2026. As of October 31, 2026, USDA had not posted a New Mexico request or approval for 2027. If none is approved, the time limit can apply in Luna County and these pueblo areas from January 2027. HCA confirmed the same five areas in its December 2025 questions and answers.

When a waiver ends, months before it ended still do not count. Starting the month after, any full month you get SNAP without meeting the 80-hour rule or an exemption counts toward your 3 months in the current 36-month period. Your state should send you a notice first. To keep benefits, work, volunteer or train 80 hours a month, or check whether an exemption fits you.

Check your own situation

Check if the time limit applies to you Count your months

For start dates, your 36-month period and how to report hours in New Mexico, see SNAP work requirements in New Mexico. For every state’s list, see all SNAP waived areas.