Mothers sue over New Mexico’s child care assistance program

A group of single mothers and an advocacy group is suing New Mexico, saying the state’s child welfare agency is using vague regulations to deny child care assistance to thousands of low-income families without due process.

The complaint was filed late Tuesday in state District Court by the women and the nonprofit organization OLE.

The plaintiffs contend the Children, Youth and Families Department is illegally denying child care assistance to families with incomes over 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which amounts to a yearly income of $31,170 for a family of three.

They argue the eligibility cutoff is over 200 percent of the poverty level.

The agency also is accused of not informing families of their right to appeal.

The agency has yet to respond to the lawsuit.