Here’s a look at some local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.
At the time of compiling this report, the New Mexico Department of Health, announced a new total of 149,984 New Mexico COVID-19 confirmed positive cases statewide, an increase of 1,496 new cases. In addition, COVID-19 cases recorded locally are as follows: Grant County has increased 23 new cases for a total of 997 positive cases; Luna County has increased 5 new cases for a total of 2,421 positive cases; Hidalgo County increased 4 for a total 258 positive cases; and Catron County increased one new case for a total of 60 positive cases. In addition, there are 712 current COVID-19 related hospitalizations statewide.
HSD: $7 Million In Emergency Financial Relief Funds Being Distributed To New Mexico Low Income Households
STATE News:
SANTA FE More than 15,000 low-income New Mexico households began receiving a one-time payment this week of $465 in emergency financial assistance.
The funds are provided under a program administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) in partnership with the state Taxation & Revenue Department.
The program was made possible through a $5 million appropriation of federal CARES Act money approved in House Bill 1 during the December special session of the New Mexico Legislature.
An additional $2 million also was made available from the Cares Act Fund. The one-time payment is for low income residents who didn’t receive a federal coronavirus economic impact payment in the spring.
New Mexico Providing $5.3M In Energy Assistance Directly To Utility Vendors For Qualifying Low Income Households
HSD News:
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.
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: