Assistance for Low-Income Residents
New Mexico Water is providing assistance to those struggling to pay their water bills through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). LIHWAP is a federally funded program administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department. New Mexico Water customers who meet maximum income limits are eligible to receive a one-time benefit of up to $1,500 per household for bills accrued during any time frame.
For a limited time, New Mexico Water residential customers can check their eligibility and apply to receive assistance from LIHWAP based on income, place of residence, and other factors. Applications can be completed online at the YesNM web site or by phone at (800) 283-4465. Recipients of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are automatically income-qualified for LIHWAP assistance.
"Our top priority is to ensure that our customers have reliable access to safe, clean, and affordable water service," said New Mexico Water General Manager Cynthia Apodaca. "We recognize that customers sometimes have difficulty making ends meet, and we’re pleased to offer our low-income customers this financial assistance through LIHWAP."
In addition to LIHWAP, New Mexico Water provides other ways to help customers manage their water bill, including payment arrangements and extensions to help.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements: If customers have a past-due balance that’s difficult to manage, they may be able to split payments among several months to pay off the full balance.
- Payment Extensions: If customers need more time to pay their bill, they may be able to defer payment over time.
For more information on LIHWAP, please visit the LIHWAP page. For more information on New Mexico Water’s other customer assistance programs, please visit the assistance page.
About LIHWAP
The new federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides financial assistance to low-income New Mexicans to help manage their residential water utility costs. Established by Congress in December 2020, this federally funded program helps low-income households pay down their residential water or wastewater bills. The New Mexico Human Services Department is the designated administering agency for LIHWAP in New Mexico. Through LIHWAP, the Human Services Department works with a network of community-based local service providers to help low-income households pay down their residential water and wastewater utility bills. For more information about how LIHWAP can help your household pay down your water or wastewater bills and how to apply visit Paying My Water Bills.