New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 150 - LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Part 100 - GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Section 8.150.100.10 - MISSION STATEMENT

(1) HCA households: Households that receive benefits from programs administered by HCA will be notified of the LIHEAP application period. Those households that wish to apply for LIHEAP benefits may submit an application. It is HCA's policy to issue regular benefits under this program to eligible households that apply for benefits during the specified period of application for regular benefits and that meet the income eligibility requirement and have a responsibility to pay for energy costs as specified in this policy.

(2) Non-HCA households: It is HCA's policy to issue regular benefits under this program to eligible households that receive no other assistance from HCA but that apply for LIHEAP benefits during the specified period of application for regular benefits and that meet the income eligibility requirement and have a responsibility to pay for energy costs as specified in this policy.

(3) Woodprimary heat source: With the exception of households that use wood as their primary heat source and gather their own wood supply, households that do not incur a direct or indirect home energy cost are not eligible.

(4) Renter with energy costs: Renters who meet the eligibility criteria and incur a home energy cost are eligible for benefits under this program.

(5) Homeless applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible for benefits under this program. Applicants who do not incur an energy cost will not be allowed an energy burden as defined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of 8.150.620.9 NMAC.

(1) Crisis verification: Eligible households that have received a written disconnect notice from their utility vendor or a statement of non-delivery or sale of fuel from their fuel vendor due to lack of payment or inability to pay may be eligible to receive a LIHEAP benefit. When a crisis situation is identified, the HCA is required to provide intervention to resolve the energy crisis. The processing of an application for households in a crisis situation includes, a completed application, all necessary verification required to determine eligibility and contacting the vendor to intercede on the household's behalf to resolve the crisis situation. Eligible households with insufficient funds to open an account with a utility vendor or meet the security deposit requirements of a utility vendor may also be eligible to receive a LIHEAP benefit. These households must also be assisted with crisis intervention. Crisis intervention is not available to households that have received a LIHEAP benefit in the current federal fiscal year.

(2) Crisis situations for eligible households include, but are not limited to, the following scenarios:

(3) A life threatening crisis situation for eligible crisis households include but are not limited to the following:

(4) Crisis timeliness: Households who apply for LIHEAP benefits and provide documentation that a crisis situation exists will have their application processed in a timely manner.

(5) Utility/vendor mediation: The LIHEAP benefit is intended to be a supplement to assist households with their energy bill. The ultimate responsibility for utility payments is the household's. The household will be notified that the LIHEAP benefit alone will not resolve their crisis situation. The household will be informed of other community resources.