State announces support program

SANTA FE — New Mexico state officials on Friday announced a support program that will provide New Mexicans currently receiving unemployment benefits supplemental payments for returning to the state’s workforce.

The program, which starts this week, will provide up to $1,000 to unemployment claimants who secure a job and remain employed through Aug. 28.

The nine-week program will be funded by federal stimulus dollars.

“The state will continue doing what it can to help workers and businesses get back on their feet,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “If we can make it even just one degree easier for someone to get back to work, helping offset transition costs, then we’ve got to do that – and we can and we will.”

The $1,000 supplemental payment will apply to unemployment claimants who begin work this week and stay employed throughout the program. The payment will drop by $200 each week, with a claimant receiving a $400 supplemental payment for a job started the week of July 25.

The Department of Workforce Solutions projects up to 15,000 current unemployment claimants — out of about 70,000 as of Tuesday — will participate in the program at a cost of $10.1 million.

“The costs associated with returning to work can vary for claimants depending on their personal circumstances,” said Acting Workforce Solutions Secretary Ricky Serna. “They can include expenses related to transportation, childcare, work uniforms and other living costs that stem from a reduction in benefits following a report of income. These return-to-work support payments aim to offset these costs. And the support payments are structured to encourage claimants to return to work as soon as possible to maximize their payment amount.”

Participants must begin a new job, indicate the start date of the job in their next weekly certification and stop certifying for unemployment benefits through Aug. 28.

Information: dws.state.nm.us/ReturntoWorkSupportPayment