Lea, Otero, and Lincoln County assistance programs.
Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation offers the low income and needy a number of assistance programs and social services. A summary of them are below, however call for additional details.
- Financial assistance – The Community Service Block Grant can provide assistance with utilities, rent, and mortgage payments. Funding has various restrictions, and will only be provided for past due energy bills and housing expenses if the applicant meets the income guidelines of the program. They also need to provide the required documentation, including eviction or disconnection notices. Locate additional rental programs.
- General assistance/emergency relief – Receive direct cash assistance. This service may be offered to applicants that meet the low income guidelines established by the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation. This assistance program will also provide health care and prescription medication assistance if the client does not have health insurance, Medicaid, or if they do not receive help from Worker Compensation. Emergency Relief is issued from the Carlsbad Foundation, and it is a local cash donation from the Carlsbad Ministerial Alliance. Note that financial assistance is only provided for residents of Carlsbad.
- Child and Adult Care Food Program – A service that will improve the health and eating habits of people in adult care homes and centers, or family day care. The aid needs to be provided to clients directly from the center they attend, and not the community action agency.
- FEMA Emergency assistance – Emergency assistance is provided to meet emergency food, rent or shelter needs only.
- Head Start – Is offered for preschool children from low-income families. It is paid for by the federal government, and focuses on children who will be attending school. Children who are part of Head Start will participate in a variety of educational activities and health care may be offered too. They also receive healthy meals and snacks, free medical and dental care, and recreation. Head Start Centers are currently located in Lea and Otero Counties New Mexico.
- Head Start also offers general social services. This is an organized method of assisting families to assess their needs. Then people can work with a social worker to gain access to those resources and services that will build upon the individual's and family's strengths to meet their own financial needs. Some of the activities and programs that the social services staff use to assist families to meet their needs are family need assessments, community outreach, job finding resources, referrals to non-profits and government agencies, emergency assistance and/or crisis intervention, and social workers can provide individuals information about available community resources and how to obtain and use them, recruitment and enrollment of children into school.
- Home delivered meals are offered five days a week to homebound seniors. In general they can meet 1/3 of nutritional needs.
- Transportation to home centers and doctor appointments may be provided for seniors. This resource is for eligible seniors to and from appointments. In addition, arrangements can be made at the senior center for transportation to and from shopping, medical appointments, and other designated emergency appointments.
Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation supports residents across Otero, Lea, and Lincoln County. Their main office is 1915 San Jose Boulevard, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220, Telephone - (505) 887-3939
Faith in Action (phone 393-7374) may be able to provide medical care for the needy in Lea County who fall between the cracks of Medicare and Medicaid, and who do not have health insurance coverage. Assistance can help people obtain life sustaining medications.
Salvation Army can provide clothing, meals or food to people in an emergency situation. In addition to distributing holiday gift baskets and free food, the Salvation Army also partners with other non-profits in Lea County. They operate the Southeastern NM Food Bank and the Thrift Shop. So people of all backgrounds can get household items, diapers, baby formula, and other aid and items. Call 397-2119, or more Salvation Army Lea County.
Manna Outreach – May provide food and shelter for homeless individuals and families. Also get support and advice on finding a new home or apartment, including information on security deposits and rental assistance. 909 S. Selman, Hobbs, New Mexico. Call 397-1155, or read more Manna Outreach assistance programs.
Isaiah's Kitchen - Hot meals to individuals and families in need are distributed six days per week. 304 W. Harden Blvd., Hobbs, NM 88240. Click here for additional locations of food banks.
Hobbs Senior Citizen Center – Runs the Meals on Wheels program. In addition, they provide recreational activities as well as transportation for individuals over 60 years of age. Call 397-9301
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