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Payment Issuance: NMW cash assistance payments are issued through the EBT system for the Department. EBT is an arrangement in which the Department transfers funds to a fiscal agent who creates a bank account for each NMW benefit group. The funds can then be withdrawn through ATM’s or by cash issuance made by food retailers who are federally certified to participate in SNAP.

Support Services: NMW participants may be eligible for certain supportive services that will assist them in meeting NMW work requirements. The NMWA defines support services as “childcare assistance; payment for employment related transportation cost; job search assistance; employment counseling; employment, education and job training placement; one-time payment for necessary employment- related costs; case management; or other activities whose purpose is to assist transition into employment”. • Transportation reimbursement-except for those in paid employment, participants may be reimbursed for transportation costs incurred in meeting participation requirements. • Educational reimbursement-if no other funding is available, participants may be reimbursed for certain educational costs. Reimbursable costs include fees, books, and supplies. Tuition does not qualify for reimbursement. • Employment-related reimbursement- participants who have a verified job offer may be reimbursed or receive an advance payment for certain costs necessary to accept or retain employment. Allowable costs include but are not limited to special clothing, licensing fees, vehicle repairs and tools. Payments are limited to a one-time payment totaling no more than $300. Childcare: In most circumstances, childcare is provided by the ECECDC with federal Childcare Development Block Grant funds. The New Mexico Legislature appropriates the funds from the TANF Block Grant to ECECD to provide childcare. Referrals to Other Agencies and Institutions: Participants requiring education, vocational training or domestic violence services are referred to other agencies. Referrals to training and educational institutions are made to ensure that the participant can obtain the knowledge, skills, and experience to achieve their employment goals. Other Support Services: The work participant, along with the work program contractor, may determine other types of support services needed to address barriers to work participation, or otherwise comply with work participation requirements of the NMW Cash Assistance Program. 9.10 WORK PROGRAM

NMW is designed to help families become self-supporting through work. Work is always the primary focus and goal of participation in all activities. Once the TANF recipient reaches their 24 months of cash assistance whether consecutive or not, they should have gained skills to be able to engage in work. The only exception to a participant being able to engage in employment by the 24th month of assistance is if the Department has identified barriers that prevent them from doing so.

To encourage rapid movement towards the goal of employment, NMW participants are required to meet work program participation standards unless participation is waived or there are barriers that prevent the recipient from completing the full participation standard. Work program participation waiver provisions