New Mexico Rolls Out Financial Assistance Pilot for Immigrant Households

The New Mexico Economic Relief Working Group (ERWG) recently concluded an 18-month guaranteed income (GI) pilot program, offering new insights into the transformative power of unrestricted cash assistance for low-wage earners, particularly immigrant families. This innovative program, running from February 2022 to February 2023, provided 330 mixed-immigration status households with a monthly stipend of $500. The recipients, a mix of rural and urban dwellers, were carefully chosen to represent a diverse cross-section of the state’s immigrant population. An interesting twist to the program was an additional six-month extension granted to 50 randomly selected households, allowing them to continue receiving financial support until August 2023. This initiative was particularly significant for immigrant families, who, during the pandemic, faced greater challenges than the general population due to their exclusion from many of the country’s safety nets, such as unemployment insurance, despite their substantial contributions to the economy and community.

The impact of the guaranteed income program on these families was profound and multifaceted. Rural participants reported a 14% increase in employment, while urban participants saw a 36% decrease in unstable work schedules, with rural counterparts experiencing a 17% decrease. Furthermore, there was a notable 35% reduction in participants struggling to pay rent or mortgage on time. The program also alleviated the need for families to cut back on essential household expenses like food and medicine, with a 9% decrease reported overall and an 18% decrease among urban participants. These statistics paint a clear picture of the program’s success in providing financial stability and improving the quality of life for its participants. Additionally, the ERWG successfully advocated for a state rule change, ensuring that regular GI payments would not be considered income, thereby not affecting recipients’ SNAP or TANF allotments. This change is part of ERWG’s broader goal to integrate economic supports into workforce development projects across various sectors, including childcare, home healthcare, and the oil & gas industries.

The comprehensive report titled “Guaranteed Income: Increasing Employment and Helping Families Thrive,” released on December 12, 2023, encapsulates the success of the New Mexico Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for Immigrant Families. It highlights how the program not only provided immediate financial relief but also paved the way for long-term economic stability and growth among immigrant families. The findings underscore the potential of guaranteed income programs as a tool for empowering marginalized communities, fostering workforce development, and enhancing overall community well-being. The success of this pilot program in New Mexico serves as a beacon, demonstrating the positive ripple effects that such initiatives can have on individuals, families, and communities at large.