Waters-Haskins v. New Mexico Human Services Department

OPINION

MAES, Justice.

{1} An administrative decision by the New Mexico Human Services Department (the Department) established a claim against Hazel Waters-Haskins (Appellant) for the repayment of food stamp benefits erroneously issued to her. The administrative law judge rejected Appellant’s argument that the doctrine of equitable estoppel should bar the Department’s claim because the Department’s error caused the overpayment. On appeal, the district court upheld the administrative decision. Appellant then sought review from the Court of Appeals on a petition for writ of certiorari. In a split…