Hello, Alamo!
I had the very good fortune of having a topic drop right into my lap.
Elephant in the room, we have no idea what’s going to happen with benefits. As I wrote at the top of the season, many people were cut off at the beginning of this year due to new eligibility requirements, which now include either working, volunteering, or actively seeking employment for 20 hours a week (former) or 80 documented hours a month (3 latter).
Last week, I was contacted personally by a volunteer with Benefits Forward, a pool of volunteers who have teamed up with our state’s Health Care Authority to reach out to people who may qualify in an effort to help them navigate the process, especially if they qualify for an exception. This pilot is a project of Vote Forward, an organization trying to fill the gap between voters and the resources needed to meet their everyday needs in the hopes of restoring trust in our government.
In order to take advantage of this service though, you do have to apply for SNAP; it’s the only way to check eligibility in the first place.
According to the official website, there are quite a few stores in the area who accept SNAP/EBT benefits, but the only food supplier I could find in Otero County that also has Double Up Food Bucks (at least online) is the Alamogordo Farmers’ Market at Washington Park. Though, to be fair, some lists don’t seem to have been updated recently.
Luckily, most places I’ve seen that do accept SNAP, TANF, and other benefits prominently display so. Just look for the DUFB logo.
The Bonus Bucks may have ended, but DUFB never expire and can be used to double every SNAP dollar spent on fresh produce. At the Washington Park farmers’ market, both SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks will help feed your family until closing day on October 24th.
Salud!
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