New Mexico provides $5.3 million in energy assistance paid directly to utility vendors for qualifying low income households
$300 one-time lump sum payments for those behind on utility payments
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Human Services Department received $5.3 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act (CARES Act). A one-time $300 payment will be provided to utility vendors for households that received a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment and are at least one month behind in their utility payments. LIHEAP is a program that assists approximately 70,000 New Mexico households with their home heating and cooling costs.
Eligible households will automatically be identified through a partnership between the department and existing LIHEAP vendors; there is no need to submit an application for this one time lump sum payment. The Human Services Department will issue the $300 payment directly to utility vendors on behalf of eligible 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.
“New Mexico low-income households continue to struggle with the effects of COVID-19. This one-time payment will help lessen the household’s burden to meet their utility responsibilities,” said Angela Medrano, Deputy Secretary for the Human Services Department.
The distribution of these funds begins December 2020, and will continue until all funds are exhausted but, no later than September 30, 2021. New Mexicans who qualify for this benefit will receive a notice indicating that a supplemental payment was made on their behalf to their utility vendor.
Individuals who have questions about the process can contact the Income Support Division Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.
Frequently asked questions:
Do I need to apply for this benefit?
No. Human Services Department will work directly with utility vendors to identify people who meet the criteria.
What is the criteria to qualify for this payment?
You must receive a LIHEAP benefit from Human Services Department between October 2019 and September 2021 and have an arrearage after April 1, 2020.
How do I apply for LIHEAP?
Visit: https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForAssistance/Low_Income_Home_Energy_Assistance_Program.aspx
Will my other Income Support benefits be impacted?
No. 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.
Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 Test Results
As of December 29, 2020:
Total: 13,528*
Negative: 12,757
Positive: 704**
Active: 36
Direct Contacts: 62
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 18
*includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**new cases: 4 (since 12/28/20)
Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 Test Results
As of December 28, 2020:
Total: 13,310*
Negative: 12,564
Positive: 700**
Active: 36
Direct Contacts: 62
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 18***
*includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**new cases: 10 (since 12/23/20; average of 2 new cases per day)
***new death: 1 (since 12/23/20)
EOC will be closed for holiday weekend
The Mescalero Emergency Operations Center will be closed for the holiday weekend. Since the the call center WILL NOT BE ACTIVE during this time, below is a list of on-call services for people to use.
Should you need to contact the following services, call the appropriate person according to their department/services.
Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 Test Results
As of December 23, 2020:
Total: 13,285*
Negative: 12,507
Positive: 690**
*Includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**New cases: 1 (since 12/23/20)
Active: 45
Direct Contacts: 25
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 17
State launches vaccine sign-up website
New Mexicans can register for vaccinations when available, sign up for availability notifications
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health announced on Wednesday the launch of a website that enables New Mexicans to receive notice when they qualify for COVID-19 vaccine. That website is available at cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/
New Mexico is currently offering vaccine doses to health care workers and staff and residents of long-term care facilities in Phase 1a of vaccine distribution. New
Mexicans who work in the following settings may also sign up to receive vaccine during this phase:
- Health care workers who have direct contact with patients
- Workers in other settings (such as congregate care facilities or private homes) who have direct contact with people or materials that may be infectious
“We are eager to distribute vaccine doses as quickly as we can – but that depends on the timeline of shipments from the federal government. This website will enable New Mexicans to sign up for vaccine doses – or to find out as soon as they qualify to receive them,” said Department of Health Secretary-Designate Tracie C. Collins, M.D.
Additional New Mexicans will be able to schedule their vaccinations as the Department of Health receives more information about the number and timing of further vaccine shipments in the coming weeks and months.
The goal is for every New Mexican to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine when large quantities are available. The state expects that several thousand vaccination providers and numerous locations throughout the state will eventually be available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, community locations, and federally qualified health centers.
For more information, please visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-vaccine/
State launches free at-home COVID-19 tests
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday announced New Mexicans may now order free, at-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests, with accurate laboratory-confirmed results returned within 24-48 hours of receipt of the sample.
The free tests are available to New Mexico residents regardless of exposure risk– whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, and whether they have come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual or not.
Any New Mexican with access to online video-conferencing through Zoom can receive a test at home, self-administer the test with a virtual testing supervisor through a secure Zoom, and mail the sample back for laboratory processing, all free of charge.
The breakthrough in testing convenience for New Mexicans is a result of a public-private partnership between the state and Vault Health.
To order a test, and for more information, visit learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/.
“We need more New Mexicans to get tested,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “We’ve worked hard every single day this year to make testing fast, easy and accessible to everyone. We ensured, from the very start, that cost would not be an obstacle for New Mexicans needing a COVID-19 test. And right now testing is one of the best ways to get New Mexico from ‘red’ to ‘green.’ We can drive down county positivity rates, help more businesses and workers get safely back on their feet, and keep more New Mexicans healthy. But it all starts with you, and it starts with getting a test. This is a very, very promising development.”
“Testing is an absolutely essential tool in our fight against the virus,” said Health Secretary-designate Tracie C. Collins, M.D. “When we know who’s positive, we can isolate the virus and cut down on transmission. New Mexicans should have every confidence in the testing our state makes available. We will get through this crisis together, and testing is one of our best strategies for managing the pandemic.”
“When more New Mexicans get tested, we can understand better the scope of viral spread in our state,” said Human Services Secretary David Scrase, M.D. “We can fight the virus more effectively when we know where we stand in every community across New Mexico. I hope New Mexicans take advantage of this simple and accessible means of testing – and continue to undertake all COVID-safe behaviors in their day-to-day lives.”
Only a photo identification, email address and an internet connection – in order to connect via online video-conferencing with a testing supervisor while self-administering the test – are required to request an at-home test.
Individuals requesting a test will be required to share basic identifying information, like a date of birth, phone number and name. Individuals will be asked for insurance information, as well, but the testing will not cost you; the test will be sent free of charge even if a requester does not have insurance.
The test will be sent via expedited shipping. Once the test is received, the individual must log onto the Vault virtual waiting room, via Zoom, to connect with a testing supervisor while self-administering the saliva sample.
The test will then be sent for laboratory verification via a prepaid UPS package. Within 24 to 48 hours of arrival at the lab, results will be available to the patient. Please note that test pick-ups and deliveries may be affected by UPS holiday hours.
The state of New Mexico continues to make free in-person testing available at dozens of sites statewide each day. To find a testing location near you, visit togethernm.org. For more information on the free at-home test kits, visit learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/.
Mescalero Apache Tribe COVID-19 Test Results
As of December 22, 2020:
Total: 13,262*
Negative: 12,494
Positive: 689**
*Includes testing by IHS & NMDOH
**New cases: 1 (since 12/21/20)
Active: 48
Direct Contacts: 35
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 17
Elderly Center gift giving
Attention Elders! The Elderly Center will be giving out hams/gifts to the Elders tomorrow 12/22/20, while supplies last, between 11AM – 12PM.
They will also have Santa bags for the elders that haven’t gotten one.
Lastly, the staff at the Elderly would like to wish all the elders and their families a very Merry & Safe Christmas!
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