TANF in New Mexico (New Mexico Works) Around 17,000 New Mexico families, comprising around 42,000 people, receive TANF assistance.  Of that number, approximately 37% are children.  Of those that are employed, the average wage is about $6.70 per hour, which is far below the federal poverty line for a family of three.  Overall, New Mexico has the largest proportion of its work force earning the minimum wage of any other state, and over one-third of new jobs predicted in the future are in low-wage occupations.  The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, known in New Mexico as NM Works, provides time-limited cash assistance to families who qualify.  Most TANF recipients work, but remain on welfare, have limited advancement opportunities, and – on average – earn poverty wages.  Recent changes in federal law have made the goal of transitioning families from welfare to self-sustaining work even more difficult to achieve. The Center works closely with state government, legislators, poverty advocates, and community organizations to protect and improve the TANF/NM Works program through both legislative and administrative channels.  Some goals include: Increasing the percentage of families receiving assistance with the cost of child care before they transition out of TANF and expanding the criteria for providing low-wage families with child care support.  Studies have shown that families that receive child care assistance after leaving TANF work more, earn more, and are more likely to stay employed and not return to welfare. Improving the delivery of job-training and job-placement services offered by the state. Encouraging the Department of Human Services to better track and report outcomes for families leaving TANF. Expanding, within the limits permitted by new federal law, the range of activities that can count as work participation (i.e. mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence programs, language proficiency training, achieving a high school degree or GED, other education and training programs, etc.). Improving policies that permit and encourage families to earn more without being threatened with the loss of other benefits, such as food stamps, cash assistance and child care services. To view comments on the proposed changes to TANF law, submitted by the Center to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, click here.