On June 18, 2021, the Tribe will be closed for the new national federal holiday, Juneteenth. Business will resume as usual on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8AM.
Payments for the COVID-19 vaccination incentives will be June 18, 2021 from 8:30AM to 4PM in the gym at the Mescalero Community Center.
Thank you!
As of June 11, 2021:
Total: 17,089*
Negative: 16,138
Positive: 951**
*Includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**New cases: 1 (since 6-08-21 – average of 0.33/day)
Active: 10
Direct Contacts: 0
Hospitalizations: 0
Deaths: 25
Payments destined for taxpayers who did not qualify for federal stimulus programs
Similar to December of 2020, the New Mexico Human Services Department on June 14 will begin accepting applications for economic relief from New Mexico residents who did not qualify for federal pandemic stimulus payments.
Payments will be provided to low-income households based on funding availability. The state Legislature appropriated $5 million for the relief effort.
Applications will be available at the Yes New Mexico website, yes.state.nm.us, beginning Monday, June 14 at 9 a.m. and must be submitted by June 25, 2021 at 3 p.m.
The information requested includes the following:
“This is an important effort to help people in our community who were overlooked by the federal stimulus programs, and who we know need the extra money to help feed and house their families,” said Angela Medrano, Deputy Secretary for the Human Services Department.
Payments will be processed by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and will be issued by the end of July 2021. Applicants will receive notification about their qualifying status from the Human Services Department.
In order to qualify for the relief, a taxpayer must not have qualified for federal stimulus programs. In addition, they must be a New Mexico resident, have a New Mexico driver’s license number, individual taxpayer identification number or Social security number
Residents with questions may contact 833-651-4836.
What is the New Mexico Economic Relief Payment?
The State of New Mexico was appropriated $5 million to provide financial relief from the hardship caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Through this federal appropriation, the state is offering a one-time cash assistance payment to qualifying New Mexico residents.
Payments will be provided to qualified households with the lowest incomes first and there will be a limited number of applicants accepted based on funding availability. All applicants must submit their information online by 3 p.m. Friday, June 25, 2021. Payments will be issued by the end of July 2021. Applicants will receive a final communication regarding qualifying status.
Will my other Income Support benefits be impacted?
This one-time benefit amount will NOT be considered in determining your eligibility for any program administered by the Human Services Department. This includes food, cash, energy or medical assistance.
How do I know if I qualify?
To qualify you must:
Where can I request assistance?
New Mexico residents must submit their information to determine if they qualify via an online portal beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, June 14, 2021. The portal will remain open until 3 p.m., Friday, June 25, 2021. Applicants will only be accepted during this time.
To apply please visit yes.state.nm.us.
At the time of submission, you will receive a message indicating if you are pre-qualified or not. This should not be considered a final determination regarding receipt of benefits. A final communication regarding qualifying status and payment amount will be sent to you through text, email or letter.
How much will I receive?
Payment eligibility and amounts are subject to the availability of funds and will be issued to the lowest income applicants first. Only one payment per household will be issued. Payments will be sent by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
How will I get my payment?
Applicants will have the option to enter a U.S. savings or checking account information in order to receive a direct deposit. Direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way to get your payment. If an applicant does not provide banking information a check will mailed to the mailing address provided. Please make sure to enter a valid NM mailing address.
When will I get my payment?
All direct deposits will be completed, and all checks mailed by the end of July 2021. Applicants will receive a final determination, including payment amount from the Human Services Department. If an applicant receives a notice of final determination but does not receive a payment via direct deposit or check, please contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department at (866) 285-2996.
A separate application must be submitted for each adult or child. You only need to submit one application to receive both payments. Applications must be submitted by June 17th to receive the June payment on the date listed above. If you miss the June deadline, then you must submit your application before July 16th to receive the July payment by the date listed above. No applications will be accepted after September 30, 2021.
Scroll down more to download the application.
For more information, please call Mescalero Tribal Education Department, 575-464-4500.
PED urges NM families to apply for mortgage, rent, utility help
SANTA FE – The Public Education Department is urging eligible New Mexico families to apply for two programs to help pay the mortgage or rent and keep the lights on so children will not be uprooted from their local schools:
“This has been an incredibly difficult year for so many New Mexico families that lost jobs or income due in one way or another to the pandemic,” Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said. “We owe it to our children to keep their families intact and in their homes so they can focus, as they should, on their education without fear of being suddenly uprooted.”
Under the Emergency Rental Assistance program, the state of New Mexico is distributing nearly $170 million to pay back, current or future rent and utility bills for eligible families.
Eligible households may receive up to 15 months of assistance plus three additional months — if funding is available — to ensure housing stability. Assistance awards can be used for unpaid, current and future rent and utilities, although priority will be placed on paying past-due rent and utilities.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. In New Mexico, the Department of Finance and Administration has been administering the program since April 5 in partnership with the City of Albuquerque.
Renters across the state are eligible for the program — except for residents of Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties and those who live in a pueblo or tribal area. Those two counties, as well as tribal governments, will administer their own Rental Assistance Programs, which can be accessed through links at RentHelpNM.org.
An application for rental assistance may be submitted by either an eligible household or by a landlord on behalf of that eligible household. In general, funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers. If a landlord does not wish to participate, funds may be paid directly to the eligible household.
Landlords and utility providers are encouraged to download a W9 and submit it to the Department of Finance and Administration via [email protected] as soon as possible to ensure a streamlined process for receiving payment.
In addition, the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund — a $1 million, six-month pilot program co-sponsored by the state and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority — was announced this week and is the first state program specifically for homeowners.
The assistance covers past-due and current mortgage payments for income-eligible New Mexicans who have experienced a financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 health crisis.
The New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund replaces the COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Program, which also served homeowners with housing cost assistance payments. The Mortgage Finance Authority will make payments directly to mortgage or loan servicers, escrow companies, or other housing providers. To be eligible for the program, household income must not exceed 100 percent of the area median income.
Applications can be made online at housingnm.org or by calling 505.308.4206 or toll-free 866.488.0498 to request a paper application.
More information about both programs, including income eligibility and frequently asked questions, are available on the Department of Finance and Administration website.
Other assistance programs available right now to eligible New Mexicans include:
As of June 8, 2021:
Total: 17,037*
Negative: 16,087
Positive: 950**
*Includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**New cases: 2 (since 6-07-21)
Active: 10
Direct Contacts: 4
Hospitalizations: 1
Deaths: 25
Mescalero Tribal Offices will re-open July 6, 2021 at 8 AM. Until then, Tribal departments are operating by PHONE ONLY. List of department phone numbers are here.
