Money Assistance New Mexico – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
Poverty USA has New Mexico as the state with the highest poverty rate in the United States. With 21 percent of the state population at or below poverty level and over 30 percent of children under 17 living in poverty. If you are one of the many individuals or families struggling financially, there are a range of assistance programs to help you get back on your feet.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in New Mexico. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho and all other cities in New Mexico.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in New Mexico collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.
Assistance with utilities: If you need help keeping your home warm this winter you may qualify for assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. This program helps reduce utility bills and offers free services like winterization. You may also qualify for assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program and HUD offers some helpful tips for winterizing your home yourself, which can help you save a bit on your monthly bills. Income verification is required for the Low Income and Weatherization Assistance.
Food Assistance: Residents of New Mexico may qualify for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Residents are required to meet eligibility criteria including proof of residency, financial status and work program participation (for some applicants). In addition to SNAP residence may also apply for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), which provides financial assistance for mothers of children 5 and under. New Mexico also offers a food distribution program on Indian Reservations.
Rent and Mortgage: Residents of New Mexico can get assistance with their mortgage from the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Their website provides an extensive list of agencies in New Mexico that offer rent assistance. You’ll need to provide documents with proof showing your need for assistance. The website lists providers by county and includes a contact name and number. You may also qualify for reduced housing through Section 8, which is provided by Housing and Urban Development.
Low Income Loans: Those on a low income may find it hard to qualify for mainstream loans as the approval criteria can be strict. This in turns have many families turning to payday loans or similar. Be very wary of these types of loans as they may put you in a worst position. Learn about responsible lending options here.
Medical Assistance: If you need help paying for medical expenses you may qualify for help through the Medicaid program also known as Centennial Care. Centennial Care is designed to help residents who can’t afford independent insurance. If your family doesn’t qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get lower-cost insurance through the CHIP program. The program provides cheaper insurance for children under 18. Qualifying families may also get help from the Brain Injury Services Fund. All programs require an application and proof of financial need. Native Americans can receive assistance through Medicaid as well as the Indian Health Service and Tribal Health Clinics.
Educational Assistance: Students can get help with loans or financial aid through the Federal Pell Grant program which offers free money for tuition for qualifying students. Students must reapply every year. In addition, New Mexico students can get assistance through The New Mexico Educational Assistance Program. You can apply for loans, find scholarships and research school financial aid programs on their website.
Community Action Centers: Residents of New Mexico can receive help through the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico Prosperity Works. These community action centers help residents find the assistance they need medical, utility and rent. Additionally, residents may participate in free classes to improve their chances of getting a job.
Charities: Despite being the state with the highest poverty level, New Mexico is ranked at the 36th most giving state, according to the Wallet Hub. This means there are plenty of opportunities to offer service through our receive assistance from area charities including the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Community Health Charities of New Mexico and Dismas Charities.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in New Mexico, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in New Mexico. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.
Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout New Mexico. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.
Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in New Mexico, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.
How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including New Mexico. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.
Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in New Mexico there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.
How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in New Mexico like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strain on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.
