News Release

Nov. 29, 2005

PNM Downtown Customer Service Office To Accept Applications
for State Bill Assistance Thursday and Friday

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: Customers visiting PNM's downtown customer service office this Thursday and Friday morning can find out if they qualify for home heating assistance – and apply on the spot.

Representatives of the state Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be taking applications for home heating assistance from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1-2, at PNM's downtown office, at the southeast corner of Silver Avenue and Fifth Street. Free parking is available at the southwest corner of Silver Avenue and Fifth Street.

The New Mexico Human Service Department, which administers LIHEAP, has more than $25 million available for assistance this winter for households whose income is below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, this would be $2,011 per month. The average benefit this winter will be about $450. Customers who qualify for assistance can have the benefit applied to their PNM account as a credit against upcoming winter heating bills.

Anyone applying for assistance needs to bring:

• Proof of household income,
• Identification,
• A Social Security Number for each household member, and
• Citizenship/resident status for all household members, and
• One of the following from the past 12 months:
  • Highest gas or electric bill for 30 days of service,
  • Account history printout from a propane company, or receipts for two propane fills with the fewest days in between
  • A receipt for a wood purchase, or
  • A disconnect notice, if they have received one, or the cost of starting utility service.

More information on LIHEAP, and how to apply, is available at PNM.com and the state's LIHEAP Web site at www.state.nm.us/hsd/isd.html.