2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 27 - Public Assistance
Article 4 - Special Medical Needs
Section 27-4-5 - Eligibility requirements.

A person is eligible for medical care under the Special Medical Needs Act [27-4-1 NMSA 1978] if:

A. pursuant to Section 27-4-4 NMSA 1978, the total amount of his nonexempt income is less than the applicable standard of need; and

B. nonexempt specific and total resources are less than the level of maximum permissible resources established by the board; and

C. he meets all qualifications for persons with special needs, pursuant to Section 27-4-3 NMSA 1978; and

D. within two years immediately prior to the filing of an application for assistance, he has not made an assignment or transfer of real property unless he has received a reasonable return for the real property; or, if he has not received such reasonable return, he is willing to attempt to obtain such return and, if such attempt proves futile, he is willing to attempt to regain title to the property; and

E. he is not an inmate of any public nonmedical institution at the time of receiving assistance; and

F. he is a resident of New Mexico.

History: 1953 Comp., § 13-15-5, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 311, § 5; 1975, ch. 187, § 2.

Undocumented alien living in state is resident and is entitled to the benefits of the Special Medical Needs Act, provided he meets the statutory eligibility requirements. Perez v. Health & Soc. Servs., 1977-NMCA-140, 91 N.M. 334, 573 P.2d 689, cert. denied, 91 N.M. 491, 576 P.2d 297.

Law reviews. — For note, "Medical Benefits Awarded to an Illegal Alien: Perez v. Health and Social Services," see 9 N.M.L. Rev. 89 (1978-79).