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Claimants on PUA will not be required to search for work

(Albuquerque, NM) – In March, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) waived the work search requirements for Unemployment Insurance claimants who had lost their job or had hours reduced as a result of COVID-19. This waiver will end on July 18, 2020.

Claimants receiving benefits will be required to verify that at least two work searches occurred each week when submitting their certification. In upcoming weeks, NMDWS in coordination with New Mexico Workforce Connection offices, will be providing guidance, training, and workshop options to claimants that will satisfy the work search requirement for the week in which they attend.

Individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers – are not required by federal law to conduct work searches and will continue to receive a waiver. While the U.S. Department of Labor requires work searches for claimants receiving standard unemployment benefits, they have not instituted the same requirement for claimants on PUA.

In addition to the above change, NMDWS is advising all claimants that the last payable week for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), an additional benefit of $600 per week, will be the week ending July 25, 2020.  

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Testing slots available from 8 to 11 a.m. every Monday at Dept. of Health field offices

New Mexico’s utility workers have been hard at work throughout the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring critical infrastructure continues to provide reliable drinking water, electricity and wastewater services throughout the state. As part of an effort to keep this essential workforce safe and healthy, as well as to assist the state in identifying, isolating and tracing new cases, the Department of Health has designated special statewide COVID-19 testing hours for all utility workers.

“We are grateful for our utility workers, who continue their hard and important work throughout this pandemic,” said New Mexico Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “It is imperative they are able to safely and responsibly do their jobs. To that end, I urge all service providers of electricity, natural gas, drinking water, and wastewater to encourage their employees to get tested for COVID-19. An outbreak at such a utility could have devastating consequences for these critical workforces and impact communities throughout New Mexico.”

“Broadscale testing will ultimately result in more lives saved,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “Even as we reopen, COVID-19 is still out there, and we must continue to be vigilant.”

“I am thankful for our employees who have been working tirelessly to provide reliable electricity to the homes, businesses and first responders who need it the most,” said Pat Vincent-Collawn, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PNM. “With the help of the State of New Mexico, PNM proactively organized several testing centers for our critical employees. Broad testing helps keep our employees safe, and with the added benefit of contact tracing, helps slow the spread of this vicious disease.”

“We wish to thank the Water Authority employees whose dedication and hard work have ensured the continued delivery of safe drinking water and reliable sewer service in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County throughout the pandemic,” said Klarissa Peña, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Board Chairperson. “In the interest of their health and safety, and that of the public, we are encouraging all our employees to get tested for COVID-19, and very much appreciate efforts by the State of New Mexico to help make that possible.”

“The data provided by testing increases safety in the workplace,” said John Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Generation. “We are grateful to the State of New Mexico for their leadership on this important initiative.”   

Many people who are infected with coronavirus may not experience any symptoms while still having the potential to pass the virus onto others, making largescale testing incredibly important in preventing its spread – and keeping New Mexico on a path toward reopening the economy.

If proactive testing identifies a positive case, the New Mexico Environment Department and Department of Health will contact the employer about the appropriate next steps to take to prevent the spread of the virus, including disinfection and follow-up testing. Proactive testing can minimize disruption to operations.

Testing will be available from 8 to 11 a.m. every Monday, beginning June 15, at the locations listed. Testing is free, but those who have insurance should bring their card with them. Appointments are required and must be scheduled by noon the preceding Friday by calling a local public health office.

Office name	Address	City	ZIP code	Scheduling phone number
Midtown PHO	2400 Wellesley Dr. NE	Albuquerque	87107	505-841-4106 505-841-4681
Sandoval Co. PHO	1500 Idalia Rd.	Bernalillo	87004	505-867-2291
McKinley Co.	410 Bataan Veterans Rd.	Gallup	87301	505-722-4391
San Juan PHO	355 S. Miller Rd	Farmington	87401	505-327-4461 X9
Valencia Co. PHO	617 Becker Ave.	Belen	87002	505-864-7743
Santa Fe PHO	605 Letrado St.	Santa Fe	87505	505-476-2600
Espanola PHO	2010 Industrial Pk Rd.	Española	87532	505-753-2794
Los Alamos PHO	1183 Diamond Dr, Ste D	Los Alamos	87544	505-662-4038
Taos PHO	1400 Weimer Rd.	Taos	87571	575-758-4719
Las Vegas PHO	18 Gallegos Rd.	Las Vegas	87701	505-425-9368
Santa Rosa PHO	117 Camino de Vida	Santa Rosa	88435	575-472-3211
Raton PHO	226 E. 4th Street	Raton	87740	575-445-3601
Artesia PHO	1001 Memorial Dr.	Artesia	88210	575-746-9819
Carlsbad PHO	1306 W. Stevens	Carlsbad	88220	575-885-4191
Clovis PHO	1216 Cameo St.	Clovis	88101	575-763-5583
Ft. Sumner PHO	514 Ave. C	Ft. Sumner	88119	575-355-3262
Hobbs PHO	1923 N. Dal Paso	Hobbs	88240	575-397-2463
Lovington PHO	302 N. 5th St.	Lovington	88260	575-396-2853
Portales PHO	1513 W. Fir	Portales	88130	575-356-4453
Roswell PHO	200 E. Chisum	Roswell	88201	575-624-6050
Ruidoso PHO	111 Kansas City Rd.	Ruidoso	88345	575-258-3252
Tucumcari PHO	310 S. 2nd St.	Tucumcari	88401	575-461-2610
Las Cruces PHO	1170 N. Solano	Las Cruces	88001	575-528-5063
Anthony PHO	865 N. Anthony Drive	Anthony	88021	575-882-5858 X4
Sunland Park	3807 McNutt Rd.	Sunland Park	88063	575-589-2543 X4
Grant Co PHO	2610 N. Silver	Silver City	88061	575-538-5318 X4
Otero Co PHO	1207 8th St.	Alamogordo	88310	575-437-9340 X4
Socorro Co PHO	214 Neel Ave. NW	Socorro	87801	575-835-0971 X3

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Summary of new Executive Order

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Businesses that applied under the first round of funding are not eligible to apply for this second round of applications.

Second round of applicants must:

• Have been operating on or before March 19, 2020 within the exterior boundaries of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation;
• Be in good standing with the Mescalero Apache Tribe;
• Be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in revenue or complete closure to the public for at last five (5) consecutive days that can be attributed to COVID-19;
• Operate for profit; and
• Meet the definition of Small Business as established by Tribal law.

Grant monies may only be used for certain purposes. To request an application or more information, please email ncervantes@mescaleroapachetribe.com.

Deadline for applications is June 17, 2020 by 4:30 P.M.

Applications must be emailed to ncervantes@mescaleroapachetribe.com before the deadline.

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MESCALERO, NM.

June 6, 2020. Early this morning, former Mescalero Apache Tribal President Frederick Chino, Sr. passed on after a long battle with cancer. 

He was President of the Tribe in 2012 and 2013. Prior to that, he served many terms as a member of the Tribal Council and Vice-President of the Tribe. Mr. Chino began his most recent term in January 2020. He is one of the longest serving leaders in the Tribe’s history. Current President Gabe Aguilar reflected, “Fred was known for always carrying a copy of the Tribal Constitution with him and in his heart. But he did not need the copy; he had it memorized because of his dedication to our people.”

Mr. Chino served under the late President Wendell Chino, a well-known leader of the Tribe who passed in 1998. “Fred always talked about the late Wendell Chino but Fred himself contributed a lot to the Tribe,” President Aguilar added, “Fred was never afraid to defend our Tribe’s sovereignty. I am honored to have served with him and my prayers are with his entire family.” 

Mr. Chino is survived by his wife Gloria, his children, his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He died peacefully at his home in Mescalero surrounded by family and friends.

From the family of Mr. Chino:

“We, the family of the late Frederick Chino Sr., would like to express our gratitude, appreciation, and best wishes to all that eased a trying time for us. The hugs, the words, phone calls an txt messages, the various foods an drinks, flowers, cards, blankets, and cash donations, and hands on help was enormous. Rather than try to name each individual or family, simply Thank You very much to all. We will pay it forward, because thats what Frederick would do. Ixhehe

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As of June 5, 2020:

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