Albuquerque PNM Bill Help 2026–27: LIHEAP Points, the Good Neighbor Fund and Winter Shutoff Protection
If you live in Albuquerque and your PNM electric bill is past due, three things matter most this season. First, LIHEAP, New Mexico's energy assistance program, pays a one-time benefit based on a simple point system, and it is the key that unlocks PNM's winter protection. Second, PNM's heating season shutoff protection runs November 15, 2026, through March 15, 2027, but only if you deal with any old balance before November 15. Third, the PNM Good Neighbor Fund gives an annual grant to income-qualified customers, and seniors 60 and older can qualify even if they are not behind.
This guide explains how each piece works and where to apply in Albuquerque. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. Your bill, your notices and PNM's terms control your account. PNM provides electricity; if your gas bill comes from a different company, check that company's programs separately.
Step 1: Apply for LIHEAP Through the Health Care Authority
New Mexico's LIHEAP is run by the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and helps eligible households with heating and cooling costs. PNM calls it "essential" to apply to get financial assistance from PNM.
How to apply: Submit a completed application through the YesNM online portal or to your nearest Income Support Division (ISD) office. HCA's LIHEAP page has a fillable application in English and Spanish. For information, call (800) 283-4465.
What happens next: HCA says you will be asked to come in for an interview in about ten days, and your worker will give you a list of documents to provide. You will be notified by letter within 45 days whether you were approved. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a Fair Hearing.
Crisis LIHEAP: ISD can help you faster if your utility service has been disconnected, you have a disconnect notice, or you are almost out of wood, propane or other bulk fuel. Give ISD a copy of your disconnect notice.
FFY 2027 Income Limits (Monthly Gross Income)
| Household size | At or below 110% of poverty (3 points) | 111%–150% of poverty (2 points) | |---|---|---| | 1 | $1,463 | $1,995 | | 2 | $1,984 | $2,705 | | 3 | $2,504 | $3,415 | | 4 | $3,025 | $4,125 | | 5 | $3,546 | $4,835 | | 6 | $4,066 | $5,545 | | 7 | $4,587 | $6,255 | | 8 | $5,108 | $6,965 |
For each additional person, add $521 (110% column) or $710 (150% column). Income is total gross household income before taxes.
How the Benefit Is Calculated
New Mexico's FFY 2027 guidelines turn your situation into points, and each point is worth $40. You earn points for:
Energy burden (how much of your income goes to energy): 16% or more earns 3 points; 11%–15% earns 2; 6%–10% earns 1; under 5% earns 0. Heating with propane adds 2 points.
Income: 3 points at or below 110% of poverty, 2 points at 111%–150%.
Vulnerable household members: 2 points each for a member age 5 or younger, a member age 60 or older, or a disabled member.
Benefits range from $80 (2 points) to $560 (14 points). The state's own example: 6 points × $40 = $240. If your main heat is not electric, the guidelines say you still need to give your electric account information when you have an electric account.
Step 2: Lock In Heating Season Shutoff Protection Before November 15
New Mexico's winter moratorium rule (17.5.410.30 NMAC) protects residential customers who meet LIHEAP qualifications. PNM says that if you are approved for LIHEAP, your electricity cannot be turned off from November 15, 2026, through March 15, 2027.
The catch is your balance on November 15. Under the rule, you are protected if you either:
Have no past-due charges on November 15, or
Pay the amount due as of November 15, or enter a settlement or installment agreement for it and keep making the agreed payments.
PNM puts it plainly: if you are behind before November 15, you must contact PNM to set up a payment plan. If you do not, your service can still be at risk.
What protection does not do: PNM reminds customers that you still owe for all the electricity you use during the heating season, you must keep making your planned payments, and any past-due balance after March 15 can lead to an interruption of service. The more you pay during winter, the less you will owe when protection ends.
If you were already disconnected: The rule says a qualified customer who meets the payment requirements is to be reconnected, and that immediate payment of a reconnection fee is not a prerequisite to reconnection.
Step 3: Apply to the PNM Good Neighbor Fund
The PNM Good Neighbor Fund (GNF) is an emergency fund that helps low-income customers at risk of disconnection, once per calendar year. It pays an annual grant directly to your PNM account. The program is administered by the Rio Grande Food Project, a local nonprofit food pantry.
Who qualifies:
Income: proof of participation in LIHEAP or SNAP for the current year.
Need: a past-due balance or disconnect notice on your current PNM bill.
Seniors 60+: eligible even without a past-due balance or disconnect notice, as long as they meet the income test. PNM says seniors are automatically approved for the maximum grant amount.
ID: a valid photo ID matching the name on the PNM account and on the LIHEAP or SNAP documents.
Where to apply in Albuquerque: PNM lists in-person community partner locations and monthly bill assistance pop-up events. Albuquerque partners include:
Roadrunner Food Bank, 3831 Singer Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-349-8861, pnmhelp@rrfb.org
Rio Grande Food Project, 600 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, 505-831-3778
Some partner locations are by appointment only, so call first.
Order matters. Because the GNF requires current-year LIHEAP or SNAP proof, apply for LIHEAP (or bring your SNAP award letter) first.
Step 4: Use PNM's Payment Plan and Budget Billing
Payment extension: If you have an overdue amount, PNM offers a payment plan that extends your due date to give you more time to catch up. Log in to your PNM.com account to check eligibility; if you are eligible, the extension appears on your Account Summary page.
Budget Billing: This evens out seasonal swings so you pay a consistent amount each month, which can help you plan around high winter or summer bills.
Time-of-Day pricing: PNM's Time-of-Day plan charges higher rates during peak hours and lower rates off-peak. If you can shift laundry, dishwashing or other heavy use to off-peak times, this may lower your bill.
Billing questions: PNM customer service, 844-378-5792.
Albuquerque PNM Bill Checklist
Apply for LIHEAP now through YesNM or your ISD office; call (800) 283-4465 with questions.
If you have a disconnect notice, ask ISD for Crisis LIHEAP and bring the notice.
Before November 15, pay your past-due balance or set up a PNM payment plan, and keep up the payments through March 15.
Once you have LIHEAP or SNAP proof, apply to the Good Neighbor Fund at Roadrunner Food Bank or Rio Grande Food Project.
If you are 60 or older and income-eligible, apply to the GNF even if you are current.
Check your PNM.com account for a payment extension and consider Budget Billing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LIHEAP alone stop a winter shutoff? Not by itself. Under New Mexico's rule, you also need to have no past-due charges on November 15, or pay that amount or enter an installment agreement and keep up the payments.
How much will LIHEAP pay? It depends on your points. At $40 per point, FFY 2027 benefits range from $80 to $560.
How often can I get the Good Neighbor Fund? PNM describes it as help once per calendar year.
What if LIHEAP denies me? HCA says you can ask for a Fair Hearing if you disagree with the decision.
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