Bernalillo County Assistance.

There are a variety of assistance programs in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Home Education Livelihood Program (HELP) (phone (505) 265-3717) provides assistance to Bernalillo County families with paying for utility bills, rent help and it even provides free food vouchers if applicants are not currently receiving food stamps. However, residents may only apply for and receive assistance but once per year by a given household.

Other programs include St. Vincent De Paul (762-4664). This is a Roman Catholic organization that assists all people, regardless of faith. It provides assistance with gas, electricity, utility, water bills, and electric bills. Last, but not least, Silver Horizons Assistance provides help with paying for heating, utility, and water bills to Bernalillo County residents who are age 60 and older who have received a service disconnection notice.

Rent assistance and homeless prevention

The Albuquerque New Mexico Catholic Charities has created a rent assistance and homelessness prevention program that will be funded with federal government stimulus funds. Almost $2 million in stimulus funds will be used for the program.

The assistance program will provides short term, temporary rental assistance to families and individuals who are likely to achieve and maintain stable housing. Help with mortgage payments is not included.

There are some conditions to qualify for the funds. An applicant needs to have have worked within the past 18 months and they need to provide proof of employment. The person also must provide proof of eviction or possible eviction from their home. Applicants need to also be able and willing to work and also earn an adequate income that will allow them to maintain stable housing over the long term, after the emergency has passed. Call them at (505) 247-0442.

The above is just one of the agencies in the Bernalillio County and Albuquerque area that offers rent and housing assistance. There are about fifteen other non-profits or agencies to call for help. Find an extensive listing of Albuquerque rent assistance organizations.

 

 

 

 

Legal assistance

If you can’t afford to pay for an attorney, New Mexico Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm that provides access to legal programs. Low income and other qualified individuals can get help for such civil cases as evictions, foreclosures, utility service disconnections, and other civil legal cases. Dial 866-416-1922 to speak to an attorney or legal professional.

Access to food from Child and Adult Care Food Program

HELP New Mexico, Inc. is the local Albuquerque New Mexico Community Action Agency. They administer and provide free food from the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The agency partners with other local charities and non-profits. Find more food banks in Bernalillo County and that are specific to region.

Together these groups provide for the cost of providing nutritious meals, groceries and snacks to the children of low income and other needs families. They may also have financial assistance for paying other bills and debts. Call the agency at (505) 265-3717.

Azusa Christian Faith (phone (505) 550-0274), Cathedral of St. John Food Pantry ((505) 247-1583), Cross Roads Ministry Inc. ((505) 344-7572), Mount Olive Baptist Church ((505) 242-8331) are other local food pantries in the community.

Locate additional New Mexico food pantries.

Bernalillo County Free health care clinics

Over 30 clinics are operated across New Mexico and Bernalillo County by the Presbyterian Medical Services. The various locations assisted almost 60,000 patients in New Mexico last year. they provide free or low cost medical and dental services. When possible, the PMS facilities provide dental, medical, and behavioral health services and medical care in the same facility and the clinics create a continuum of care which spans across healthcare professionals as well as the various volunteers. The facility is a non-profit health care provider. Find other ways to get free health care. More.

As indicated, they run dental facilities which offer emergency, basic restorative, preventive services, and also a limited amount of rehabilitative or prosthetic dental care to low income, senior citizens, children, unemployed, and other qualified patients. Dial 505-771-0647 to make an appointment or learn more.

Another option for health care is First Nations Community Health Source. Dial (505) 262-2481. The non-profit clinic is a fully comprehensive community health care clinic/center that provides numerous medical services. Among other programs they offer include preventive, primary and behavioral health services to low income and the other under-served populations living in Central New Mexico, including Native Americans. Some of the Primary Care Services offered to patients include, well child care, immunizations, family planning, women's health care, prevention education and WIC services, public health nursing, HIV testing, and counseling.

Other community clinics include the Albuquerque New Mexico based First Choice Community Health Care ((505) 873-7400), or locate even more Bernalillo County clinics and health centers.

 

 

Financial grants and assistance

Families and individuals in Albuquerque New Mexico can turn to St. Vincent De Paul for emergency financial help. This is a Roman Catholic aid organization, but people in need of all faiths can get help. The organization assists low income and others with paying for their electricity, gas and some water bill accounts. They may also have limited funding for rent and mortgage payments. Contact your local Roman Catholic parish for more information or to apply for assistance. Call 762-4664.

Noon Day Ministry (phone (505) 246-8001) provides emergency cash and funding for individuals and families in need of rent and or utility assistance. They also operate a soup kitchen and provide free food. The assistance program operates by using large network of volunteers through Albuquerque and other members of the local community.

The Albuquerque Salvation Army offers qualified individuals numerous services, including  emergency rental assistance for persons facing a crisis and who have eviction notices, limited food assistance-including holiday aid, emergency utility bill assistance for persons with disconnect notices, and help to pay foe expenses of a new baby. Dial (505) 872-1171.

Home Education Livelihood Program (H.E.L.P.) of Albuquerque New Mexico provides services. They offer rent help, job training and placement, and other resources to qualified individuals.

State of New Mexico Department of Human Services provides TANF, food stamps (learn more on food assistance, utility assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as the Low Income Telephone Assistance Program (LITAP). Programs are offered for Bernalillo County residents as well. Dial (505) 841-7700

 

 

HUD Mortgage Counseling

New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (505) 843-6880 runs numerous housing programs. They include Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention, and also Housing Down Payment Loans/Grants.

Credit repair and debt counseling

Consumer Credit Counseling of Albuquerque - In addition to offering credit counseling and repair, they can help the client enter into a debt repayment program with their creditor or credit card company. In addition, the agency provides education programs on credit buying, budgeting, foreclosure counseling, checkbook management, understanding credit, debt reduction, and other related topics. Call (505) 884-6601