“The mission of Disability Rights New Mexico (DRNM) is to protect, promote, and expand the legal rights of persons with disabilities. DRNM is an independent, private non-profit agency operating federally mandated and other advocacy programs in pursuit of this mission.”
“The Summit on Advocacy is an opportunity for self-advocates and partners to gather information around self-advocacy activities and policies. The purpose is to strengthen and enhance self-advocacy efforts in New Mexico.”
“The Working Disabled Individuals (WDI) program covers disabled working individuals who, because of earnings, do not qualify for Medicaid under any other programs. Individuals must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) criteria for disability without regard to “substantial gainful activity”.
This document is related to Medicaid eligibility for working disabled individuals.
“We help Veterans, service members, and their families access VA benefits and services. Benefits we can help with include disability compensation, education benefits, life insurance, pensions, and home loans.”
“This approval is effective January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2023. CMS’ s approval is subject to the limitations specified in the attached waiver authorities, expenditure authorities, Special Terms and Conditions (STCs), and subsequent attachments. The state may deviate from the Medicaid state plan requirements only to the extent those requirements have been listed as waived or as not applicable to expenditures or individuals covered by expenditure authority…
Employment Supports will be provided by staff at current or potential work sites. When supported employment services are provided at a work site where persons without disabilities are employed, payment is made only for the adaptations, supervision and training required by members receiving services as a result of their disabilities but does not include payment for the supervisory activities rendered as a normal part of the business setting.”
“One of 14 states without institutions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, New Mexico serves this population through a system of home- and community-based services funded through two main Medicaid programs administered by the Human Services Department (HSD) and operated primarily through the Department of Health (DOH). A 2018 LFC evaluation of these programs found growth in per-client costs and a lengthening waiting list are outpacing the state’s ability to fund and provide services. In FY17, about 3,500 people received services through the traditional developmental disabilities (DD) waiver program, while another 1,400 received services through the self-directed Mi Via program. Both provide services not usually covered by Medicaid under federal waivers of existing rules. The list of eligible individuals waiting for services, meanwhile, totaled roughly 3,900. The evaluation found increased service utilization, client movement from the traditional DD waiver program to Mi Via, and changes to how client service plans and budgets are developed have all contributed to rising costs. The average cost of an individual enrolled in the DD waiver program grew by 17 percent, to $78,575, between FY14 and FY17, while total enrollment fell by 13 percent. Meanwhile, budgets for Mi Via clients are approaching their annual individual caps, and cost growth in both waivers is on pace to potentially violate federal cost neutrality requirements by FY27.”
“Our Mission
The New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD) is committed to improving the quality of life of all New Mexicans with disabilities by addressing social integration, economic self-sufficiency, political resolve, physical and program accessibility, and full participation in the benefits of life and rights of all individuals.
GCD addresses physical, sensory, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers to forward its mission. Such barriers may keep a person with a disability from enjoying the full aspects of community living.
GCD works to improve the quality of life of New Mexicans with disabilities through progressive systems advocacy.
GCD promotes community living and access to: employment opportunities; universal access to information; appropriate and available assistive technology; accessible education; accessible, affordable, universally designed housing; accessible and available transportation (rural and urban); available home and community-based services; and access to social and recreational settings.
GCD serves as liaison and advisor to the Governor and Legislature on disability issues.”
This webpage lists upcoming training and capacity building events intended for providers, people with disabilities, and employers throughout New Mexico.
“New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services – Field Services Offices
There are several Department field offices located throughout the state. Each is staffed by a veterans service officer (VSO) who has attained accreditation through the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. All VSOs are also veterans themselves, dedicated to helping their fellow veterans with filing for the well-deserved benefits earned through their honorable service to our country.”
Services for People with Developmental Disabilities
“For the two Medicaid waivers providing non-institutional care to people with developmental disabilities, the FY20 general fund appropriation to the department is sufficient to add more than 330 slots, the largest increase since at least FY07. However, with nearly 5,000 people awaiting services and estimates indicating it can take as long as 13 and one-half years before a client begins receiving services, more work remains. The long wait poses a hardship for families and can end up costing the state more in the long run if a client’s conditions worsen or if a client becomes less responsive to rehabilitation. Because of this, the Legislature also appropriated $1.5 million with language requiring the department to develop a new Medicaid waiver to provide supportive services to people on the wait list.”