New Mexico requests work exemption for food stamp recipients

New Mexico officials have asked the U.S. government to continue exempting state residents from having to complete paid or unpaid work in order to receive government food assistance.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the state’s current waiver exempting New Mexico from imposing the work rules expires in March.

Human Services Department spokesman Kyler Nerison says the request to extend the waiver comes because of a court injunction that currently prevents the department from implementing work requirements.

A federal judge last spring blocked Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration from implementing work rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty attorney Sovereign Hager says up to 20,000 New Mexicans could be subject to work rules without the waiver.