New Mexico LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills through the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD), administered through 40 HSD Income Support Division offices statewide. New Mexico’s program is one of the more geographically distinctive in this series: the state’s extreme temperature range — scorching summers in the desert lowlands and bitterly cold winters at high elevation — drives meaningful enrollment in both heating and cooling components. Applications are accepted October 1 through August 31 each year, as long as funds are available.
New Mexico also has five sovereign tribal entities — the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache, Laguna, Nambe, and Zuni — that administer their own LIHEAP programs for enrolled tribal members on their lands, separate from the state HSD program.
What Does New Mexico LIHEAP Cover?
Heating Assistance — a one-time benefit per federal fiscal year toward home heating costs, paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor. Covers natural gas, electricity, propane, firewood, coal, wood pellets, kerosene, and other heating fuels. Program period: October 1 through March 31 for heating. Benefits are calculated using a point-based system that factors in household income, household size, fuel type, and housing type — rather than a flat payment table.
Cooling Assistance — a one-time benefit toward summer cooling costs. Program period: April 1 through August 31 (as funds allow). New Mexico’s cooling enrollment (9,492 in FY 2024) reflects the state’s intense summer heat, particularly in the Rio Grande valley and southeastern desert communities.
Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) — emergency help for households facing an immediate energy crisis: utility shutoff notice, service disconnection, running out of deliverable fuel (wood, propane, coal), or inability to open a new utility account due to deposit requirements. Crisis assistance is also available for households that have insufficient funds to open a utility account or meet security deposit requirements — a distinctive eligibility trigger not commonly documented in other states.
Federal response times under law:
- Standard crisis: assistance within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of application
- Life-threatening crisis: within 18 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)
Direct Participant Payment: If your utility vendor does not participate in LIHEAP, or if utilities are included in your rent, a direct payment check may be issued to you. For firewood, coal, or wood pellets purchased from a non-participating vendor: payment goes directly to you with receipts required within 60 working days.
Low-Income Assistance Plan (LIAP) — Electric Utility Discount: If you receive LIHEAP and have residential electric service from an investor-owned electric utility (not subsidized housing), you may also be eligible for your utility’s Low-Income Assistance Plan — a monthly electric bill discount. Apply for LIHEAP first; your LIHEAP caseworker can refer you to LIAP automatically. Major utilities offering LIAP include PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) and El Paso Electric.
Weatherization / NM Energy$mart: LIHEAP-eligible households may also qualify for home weatherization improvements. The NM Energy$mart Weatherization Program provides insulation, heating system repair/replacement (including wood/coal stoves and evaporative coolers), and home air sealing. If you qualify for LIHEAP, you may also qualify for NM Energy$mart — your HSD caseworker can make the referral.
New Mexico LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
New Mexico uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for heating, cooling, and crisis. The official income table is published annually by HSD at hsd.state.nm.us alongside the NM LIHEAP Point and Income Guide (FFY 2026).
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (approx. 60% NM SMI) | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,264 | ~$27,168 |
| 2 | ~$2,959 | ~$35,508 |
| 3 | ~$3,655 | ~$43,860 |
| 4 | ~$4,350 | ~$52,200 |
| 5 | ~$5,046 | ~$60,552 |
| 6 | ~$5,742 | ~$68,904 |
| 7 | ~$5,874 | ~$70,488 |
| 8 | ~$6,007 | ~$72,084 |
Estimated from 60% NM SMI. New Mexico publishes the official NM LIHEAP Point and Income Guide each October at hsd.state.nm.us/lookingforinformation/income-eligibility-federal-poverty-level-guidelines/. Confirm current figures before applying.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: New Mexico LIHEAP has no asset test.
Emergency expense deduction for over-income households: New Mexico has a distinctive eligibility provision for households in crisis. If your income exceeds the 60% SMI guidelines but you are in a crisis situation, you may deduct documented emergency expenses paid in the past 30 days from your gross income. If income minus emergency expenses falls at or below the income guidelines, you may be eligible. This deduction is specific to New Mexico’s crisis component and is not available for standard heating or cooling applications.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF may have simplified income verification. Confirm with your HSD office.
Program Dates and Year-Round Access
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| Heating Assistance | October 1 – March 31 |
| Cooling Assistance | April 1 – August 31 (as funds allow) |
| Crisis Assistance | Year-round (October 1 – September 30) |
| Weatherization Referrals | Year-round |
| Application acceptance | October 1 – August 31 |
New Mexico does not close applications until August 31 — one of the longest application windows in this series. The September gap (September 1–30) falls at the end of the federal fiscal year before new funding begins.
Tribal LIHEAP — Five Sovereign Entities
New Mexico has five tribal entities that administer their own LIHEAP programs for enrolled members living on their lands:
- Navajo Nation — Navajo Financial Assistance Unit offices (NM, AZ, UT portions of the reservation). Navajo LIHEAP covers heating, cooling, weatherization (including evaporative coolers and wood/coal stoves), and crisis assistance for Navajo tribal members. Applications paused mid-season while existing applications are processed. Contact your local Navajo Financial Assistance Unit.
- Jicarilla Apache Nation — northern New Mexico
- Laguna Pueblo — central New Mexico
- Nambe Pueblo — northern New Mexico
- Zuni Pueblo — western New Mexico
If you are an enrolled tribal member living on one of these reservation/pueblo lands, contact your tribal LIHEAP office rather than the HSD. All other tribal members living off-reservation apply through the state HSD program.
Who Qualifies for New Mexico LIHEAP
To be eligible for LIHEAP:
- New Mexico residency as primary dwelling
- Income at or below 60% NM SMI (or using the emergency expense deduction for crisis situations)
- Responsibility for home energy costs — you pay for your primary heating or cooling fuel
LIAP electric discount: For residential electric utility customers (not in subsidized housing), LIHEAP approval may unlock your utility’s Low-Income Assistance Plan.
Utility deposit assistance: Households that cannot open a utility account due to deposit requirements are eligible for crisis assistance to help cover the deposit — a unique provision that creates access for households without existing utility accounts.
How to Apply for New Mexico LIHEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online at YesNM or Visit an HSD Office
Online: Apply through the YesNM Benefits Portal at yes.state.nm.us — HSD’s integrated benefits system for LIHEAP, SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs.
In person: Visit any of the 40 HSD Income Support Division offices across New Mexico. Find your nearest office at hsd.state.nm.us/lookingforinformation/field_offices.
By phone: Call HSD Customer Service at 1-800-283-4465 to find your nearest office, get help with the application, or check on a submitted application.
By mail: Download and complete the LIHEAP application from hca.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/LHP-602-English-LIHEAP-Application-1.pdf and mail to your local HSD field office. The application must be signed and dated to be valid.
For a general overview of the application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. New Mexico’s HSD contacts are also in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Step 2 — Required Documents
- Social Security Numbers for all household members applying for benefits (at minimum for those seeking LIHEAP)
- Proof of income for all household members — pay stubs, SNAP/SSI/TANF award letters, Social Security benefit statements
- Heating or cooling utility bill — for natural gas or electric utility accounts. New Mexico Gas Company (NMGCO) will provide account information to HSD at your request: call 1-888-NM-GAS-CO (1-888-664-2726)
- Proof of crisis (for crisis applications) — disconnect notice, statement of non-delivery from fuel vendor, or documentation of utility deposit requirement
- Emergency expense receipts (for over-income crisis households using the expense deduction)
Step 3 — Crisis Applications
For crisis situations, bring your written disconnect notice from your utility or a statement of non-delivery from your fuel vendor. HSD must respond:
- Within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) for standard crisis
- Within 18 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) for life-threatening situations
To follow up on a submitted application, contact your local HSD office or see how to check your LIHEAP application status.
New Mexico LIHEAP Funding 2026
New Mexico received federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026 — in FY [current_year-1], New Mexico received over $22 million in LIHEAP relief, serving approximately 46,000 households out of more than 200,000 eligible. In FY 2024, New Mexico served 21,672 heating households, 9,492 cooling households, and 15,041 crisis households, with 440 weatherization projects completed. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare New Mexico with other states.
New Mexico Utility Assistance Programs
HEAT New Mexico (New Mexico Gas Company) — a charitable heating assistance fund for income-qualifying NMGCO customers, administered by the Salvation Army. Funded by customer and NMGCO donations. Distribution begins January 1 and continues as funds are available. 505-872-1171. Apply after or alongside LIHEAP.
PNM Good Neighbor Fund — Public Service Company of New Mexico’s charitable fund assists low-income families with electric bills from November to April. Customer donations matched by PNM, administered by the Salvation Army. Contact PNM or your local Salvation Army office.
El Paso Electric Bright Hearts Fund — employee and customer donations matched dollar-for-dollar by EPE shareholders, administered by El Paso County General Assistance. For families unable to pay electricity due to medical or financial problems. 800-351-1621.
Storehouse West (Sandoval County / Rio Rancho area) — FEMA-funded assistance for Sandoval County residents, plus ZIP codes 87114 and 87120 (Taylor Ranch and Paradise Hills). October–September program year. Contact Storehouse West in Rio Rancho.
NMGCO winter shutoff protection (November 15–March 15): LIHEAP-approved NMGCO customers whose bills are current as of November 15 will not be disconnected for nonpayment during the winter protection period.
Additional Resources for New Mexico Families
New Mexico SNAP: Check New Mexico SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in New Mexico.
New Mexico Medicaid: Check New Mexico Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New Mexico WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for New Mexico LIHEAP?
60% of State Median Income — approximately $4,350/month for a household of 4. There is no asset limit. Confirm the current NM LIHEAP Point and Income Guide at hsd.state.nm.us.
What is New Mexico’s emergency expense deduction?
If your gross income exceeds the 60% SMI limit but you’re in a crisis, you may deduct documented emergency expenses paid in the past 30 days from your income. If income minus those expenses falls at or below the guidelines, you may be eligible for crisis assistance.
Do I apply at HSD or through a community action agency?
Unlike most states, New Mexico LIHEAP is applied for directly through HSD Income Support Division offices — not through a separate community action agency network. There are 40 HSD offices statewide. Apply online at yes.state.nm.us, in person, by mail, or by phone at 1-800-283-4465.
What are the five tribal LIHEAP programs in New Mexico?
The Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache, Laguna, Nambe, and Zuni administer their own LIHEAP programs for enrolled members on their lands. Contact your tribal program office rather than HSD if you live on reservation or pueblo lands.
How quickly does New Mexico respond to a crisis?
By federal law, HSD must respond to a standard energy crisis within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) and a life-threatening crisis within 18 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of application.
For current New Mexico LIHEAP information and to find your local HSD office, visit hsd.state.nm.us or call 1-800-283-4465.