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The diversion payment was expanded to include a higher payment amount based on household composition. The requirements for diversion payments were also expanded to include, not only certain employed individuals, but individuals needing non-recurring assistance to alleviate a short- term need.

2008. The cash assistance Standard of Need was increased by 15%. This is the first increase to the Standard of Need in 15 years. Along with the increase, NMW participants with school age children were now eligible to receive two clothing allowance payments in the amount of $100 per child. The clothing allowances are issued every August and January for each school age child in the benefit group. The January clothing allowance and the increase in the standard of need was due to a regulation change promulgated January 1, 2008. The Excess Work Deduction was removed from the eligibility calculation.

2009. During the 2008 Legislative Regular Session the NMWA through SB 137 was amended and signed into law April 7, 2009. SB 137 removed legal guardian from the definition of parent, now making a legal guardian an optional member for inclusion in the NMW cash assistance benefit group.

2010. Due to budgetary constraints during FFY 2011, several actions were taken to reduce the TANF spending. These actions included eliminating or reducing support service contracts and suspending the issuance of support service reimbursements such as transportation, employment related costs and educational reimbursements.

2011. January 1, 2011, the Department implemented several changes to reduce the TANF budgetary constraints: 1. Reduced the TANF monthly benefit amount with a 15% budgetary adjustment. 2. Reduced the issuance of the clothing allowance for school age children in an active TANF benefit group to an annual payment instead of twice a year, August, and January. In August 2011, Governor Susana Martinez identified SGF to provide a $50 allowance. 3. February 1, 2011, suspended the Transition Bonus Program.

The following contracts for supportive services were reduced due to the TANF and/or general fund budgetary constraints:

Contractor Program Commission on The Status of Women New Mexico Works Service Provider Children, Youth and Families Department Childcare TANF Children, Youth and Families Department Domestic Violence Children, Youth and Families Department Pre-Kindergarten New Mexico State University New Mexico Works Service Provider Navajo Nation TANF Support Services Pueblo of Zuni TANF Support Services