Portales Income Support Division office may close

PORTALES — Portales’ Income Support Division office of New Mexico’s Human Services Department is considering shutting its doors for good.

No official plans have been made. However, the Roosevelt County Health Council has created a survey to feel out the potential impact a closure could have on the area.

The survey asks about residence in Roosevelt County, usage of Income Support Divisions services, if you would use their services online, the importance of the Portales branch over the Clovis location, and additional demographic information.

“We just heard they are considering making the closure permanent and only having a person to person office in Clovis,” Deborah Gentry, Health Promotion Educator for NMDOH’s Public Health Division, said. “We know this will impact our Roosevelt County residents so we wanted to get ahead of the game and maybe have our surveys complied so we would have data to present, if we were allowed.”

The ISD branch in Portales closed in-person services last July after having an employee test positive for COVID-19. Since then the offics has been operating remotely.

A virtual community forum is being planned by NMHSD so that residents can discuss the matter, according to Jodi McGinnis Porter, Communications Director New Mexico Human Services Department.

“While the office is temporarily closed, Income Support Division staff are present at the Food Bank Eastern New Mexico in partnership with La Casa Senior Center, located at 1515 W. Fir in Portales, from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first, third and when applicable the fifth Friday of the month,” Porter said.

The survey is available at forms.gle/DzgFtbiJDPBB4F5A9

For online HSD services visit yes.state.nm.us