The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is exposing what we have always known: our nation’s deep inequities and broken safety-net programs leave millions of people without help or relief. Today, we are seeing the painful reality for those who don’t have the luxuries of paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, or social safety net protections to help them weather this storm.
Find out more at https://missionassetfund.org/
In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.
To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:
§ This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.
§ Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time
In order to apply, the following documentation is required:
More information regarding this assistance can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov
There’s still time to sign up for the Emergency Broadband Benefit!
Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new long-term, $14 billion program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure we can afford the connections we need for work, school, health care and more for a long time.
Households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of 12/31/21 will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until 3/1/22.
What’s Changing?
More information about actions current Emergency Broadband Benefit recipients will need to take to continue receiving the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit after the transition period will be available in the coming weeks. The FCC is seeking comment on the changes enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will be adopting rules for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Please stay tuned for additional updates.
Source: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Note that all times listed below are subject to change. Contact the food pantry for current schedules.
The Commons Grant County Food Pantry at The Commons: 501 East 13th Street +Zip codes 88061, 88065, 88022, 88053 ONLY, choose ONE: First Saturday from 10–noon OR Last Wednesday from 4–6pm. For information please call 575-388-2988 https://thecommonsgrantcounty.org/.
The Commons Mining District Mobile Pantry at Bataan Park for zip codes 88023, 88026, 88041, 88043 ONLY: Third Tuesday from 12–2pm. For information please call 575-388-2988 https://thecommonsgrantcounty.org/.
The Commons Gila Mobile Pantry at Cliff Fairgrounds for Buckhorn, Cliff, Gila, and Redrock residents ONLY: Third Tuesday 12–2:00pm. For information please call 575-388-2988 https://thecommonsgrantcounty.org/
Mimbres Valley Health Action League Mobile Food Pantry at Roundup Lodge, 94 Acklin Hill Rd, Mimbres. 3rd Wednesday of the month, 11am to 2pm. Call 575-574-7674 for more information.
Gospel Mission Food Pantry at 111 South Texas Street, manager@silvercitygospelmission.org, call 575-388-5071 for more info. Free Breakfast M–F from 8:30–10am, Free Lunch Monday–Friday, 12–1pm, Free Emergency Food Bags MWF 9am-1pm. Free Wed Morning Market drive-thru 8:30-9:30.
St. Francis Newman Center at 914 W. 13th Street in Silver City, 575-388-4933. Food pantry every Monday at 4pm. Call to schedule appointments for help with bills, rent, bus passes, and prescription drugs.
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 414 N Bayard Street in Silver City, 575-538-9373, The food pantry is open Mon-Thurs 9 am-11:30 am and 1 pm-4 pm. They take applications to help with utilities on Tuesdays from 1 pm-2 pm.
WMNU One Stop, Juan Chacon Building (Room 267), 8-5 M-F. 575-538-6400. https://life.wnmu.edu/onestop/ A wellness center for students, offering food pantry items and when available, cleaning supplies, kitchenware, blankets, and toiletries.
Christian Challenge: Corner of College Ave and B St. Silver City. Lunch for $1 or free to WNMU students with no money every Wednesday from 12pm-1pm during the school year.
HMS Senior Services, 575-597-2967. Meals and transportation are provided to senior citizens 60 years of age or older. An HMS staff member will return your call to schedule an assessment. Depending on availability, applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
Senior Citizens (55+) Mobile Food Pantry 3rd Wednesday of each month at LDS Church, 3755 N Swan St (next to PNM), 575-388-5071: Must prove residence in Grant County. Start signing up by 9:30am Wednesday, pickup between 10am-12:30pm. Gospel Mission service.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Seniors. NM HSD partners with community organizations throughout the state to provide nutritious food to supplement the diet of Seniors who may be at risk for malnutrition. Currently, there are 5 regional centers and 122 tailgate sites located throughout the state who distribute a monthly box of food to eligible persons 60 years and older. Apply through the YESNM portal.
Silver City Senior Center: 205 W. Victoria St Silver City. 575-388-2545. Lunch Grab ‘n Go Monday through Friday from 12:00-12:30pm for free, donation if desired. Registration required. To reserve a meal, call 575-597-2967 before 9am M-F, and ask for Cassandra. Meals on Wheels program available for homebound Seniors; call 575-388-2545 to sign up.
S.P.I.N.- Supporting People In Need. Seasonal Overnight Shelter. Opens at 5pm for dinner daily. Men, Women, and Children, deliveries of commodities, medicine, other essentials to homebound individuals. 601 N. Gold St in the cul de sac at 7th St and Gold, 575-594-1128.
Updated December 15, 2021
This flyer is for printed distribution to agencies and clients, and lists resources of all kinds — community food support, shelter and utility assistance, options for transportation.
There are also medical contacts (including the VA, HMS, Family Support Services, and more) and resources listed for Counseling & Support (including sexual assault, mental health, suicide prevention and others).
There are websites listed that can offer more information on diverse subjects, including COVID-19 updates.
So please share these flyers with all who might make use of them!
President Joe Biden’s administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food aid available to needy families — the largest single increase in the program’s history.
Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps — officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.
The increase coincides with the end of a 15 percent boost in SNAP benefits that was ordered as a pandemic protection measure. That benefit expires at the end of September.
The aid boost is being packaged as a major revision to the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, which estimates the cost to purchase groceries for a family of four and guides the way the government calculates benefits. In practical terms, the average monthly per-person benefits for qualified recipients will rise from $121 to $157.
Updated December 22, 2021
PNM is resuming disconnections as soon as August 16, for residential customers who are past due on their electric bill after the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has ended the temporary emergency COVID moratorium.
Despite nonpayment, nearly 44,000 customers have been provided power for the last year and a half since the start of the pandemic, according to a news release. These customers are still responsible for paying for the electricity they used. PNM wants to help avoid shut-off situations, but customers must immediately take action by contacting PNM online at PNM. com/help or by calling 888-DIAL-PNM (888342-5766) from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
There are only three ways to avoid disconnection:
Disconnecting power is not something PNM wants to do, according to the release. In fact, PNM wants to help customers avoid it. Several thousand customers have recently set up a payment plan with PNM to catch up on their bill, helping them avoid disconnection, but it is critical that millions of dollars of financial assistance is not left on the table for the remaining New Mexicans who need help paying their utility bill.
For financial assistance with your past-due PNM bill, apply online at PNM.com/help or call PNM. PNM will review your qualifications with the following assistance programs to help pay down, or possibly pay off, your past-due PNM bill. In some cases, programs can be combined to maximize the amount of assistance you receive.
Source: https://silvercitydailypress-nm.newsmemory.com/?publink=02be8e570_1345ea4
Updated December 22, 2021
The pandemic and economic crisis have created financial hardships for many New Mexicans. Many families have had difficulty accessing the financial resources available to help meet basic needs. In response, we have created the Financial Resource Guide During COVID-19.
The guide is a comprehensive source of information about assistance—and New Mexicans’ rights to access it—available across the state now and in the future.
The guide includes information about programs funded through federal legislation like the American Recovery Plan Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as well as long-standing state and local programs that can help families with food, housing, healthcare, child care, and more.
Access the resource guide here: http://nmpovertylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NMCLP-COVID-Guide.pdf
Updated December 22, 2021
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is still available to eligible households until March 1, 2022!
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Households can apply in three ways:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742
For more information, check this website: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Seniors 60+ in need of financial assistance may apply for this support, and may qualify if they do not exceed the 200% income threshold. Call the NM Aging and Long-term Services Department at 1-800-432-2080 to check eligibility.
