While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In New Mexico, LIHEAP is administered by the Human Services Department.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in New Mexico, click here.
The New Mexico Human Services Department oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in New Mexico, see the New Mexico state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of New Mexico defines “crisis situation” as one where a household:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $490.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the New Mexico Human Services Department will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount for heating or cooling in New Mexico is $490 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $70.
To qualify for LIHEAP in New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in New Mexico here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
To apply for LIHEAP in New Mexico, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
Access the Alabama LIHEAP application here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Income Support Division (ISD) office. Find your nearest ISD office here. Or, call the ISD Customer Service Center at (800) 283-4465.
When applying for New Mexico LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the Income Support Division (ISD) office where you applied to directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The New Mexico Human Services Department will contact you within 10 days to schedule an interview. The worker that is assigned to you will also inform you of any additional documents that you must provide to verify your eligibility for LIHEAP.
After your interview, you will be notified within 45 days about whether your household was approved for LIHEAP benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied New Mexico LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by mail, fax, phone, or in person within 90 days of when you received the denial.
To appeal by mail, you must complete the form attached to your determination letter and mail the completed form to:
Human Services Department – Fair Hearing Bureau
PO Box 2348
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2348
To appeal by fax, you must complete the form attached to your determination letter and fax it to (505) 476-6215.
To appeal by phone, call (800) 432-6217 and select option 6.
To appeal in person, visit your local Income Support Division office. Click here to find the ISD office near you.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the New Mexico ISD Customer Service Center at (800) 283-4465.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in New Mexico or require further assistance, contact your local Income Support Division office. Find your nearestIncome Support Division (ISD) office and contact information here.
You can also contact the New Mexico ISD Customer Service Center at (800) 283-4465.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024