Utility payment aid offered

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Human Services Department will provide $5.3 million in CARES Act funding for direct payments to utility vendors on behalf of qualifying households behind at least a month on payments, according to an HSD release.

The one-time $300 payements will be provided on behalf of families in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps approximately 70,000 households across the state.

Eligible households will automatically be identified through a partnership between the department and existing LIHEAP vendors for New Mexico households that meet the following criteria:

• The household must have received or will receive a LIHEAP benefit from the Human Services Department between October of 2019 through September 2021; and

• The household must have an arrearage after April 1, 2020.

Distribution of funds has begun, and will continue until the earlier of Sept. 30 or the exhaustion of funds. New Mexicans who qualify for the benefit will receive a notice indicating that a supplemental payment was made on their behalf to their utility vendor.

Information: 800-283-4465.