In New Mexico the Human Service Department provides assistance for Utility Assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

This is a local HSD Office (covering Sandoval County) where you can submit your application for LIHEAP.

You can also apply through the Wyoming YesNM Portal: https://www.yes.state.nm.us/yesnm/home/index


At local offices or the YesNM portal you can apply for the following:
    Medical Assistance(Medicaid)
    Food Assistance(SNAP)
    Water Assistance(LIHWAP)
    Cash Assistance(TANF)
    Energy Assistance(LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

User questions & answers

Have you used the Rio Rancho, NM HSD LIHEAP Office service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.