A free directory of 1434 places to get help in and around Grant County, New Mexico: shelter, food, recovery, health care, benefits, legal help and more. Kept up to date by the Silver City Gospel Mission.
59 organizations, 72 services for Utilities and bills
Step-by-step help for your situation
Got a utility shut-off noticeUse when someone got a past-due or shut-off notice for electric (PNM), gas (NM Gas Company), or town water, sewer or trash.
Can't pay the water or propane billUse when someone is behind on a water, sewer or trash bill, or is out of propane (or about to be) and can't pay for a fill or delivery.
Needs help with a utility deposit or bad creditUse when someone is moving in and the power, gas or water company wants a deposit they can't pay, or they have an old utility balance or bad credit blocking new service.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Benefits Division
State veteran property tax exemptions and reduced vehicle feesconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Veterans · Utilities and bills
Up to $10,000 off the taxable value of a veteran's property; full exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability on their home; reduced car registration for veterans without enough property; free state park pass.
Who it's for: NM-resident veterans (honorable discharge) and unmarried surviving spouses; disabled veteran exemption requires a VA service-connected disability rating.
Move-In and Eviction Prevention fund (MIAEP) - serious mental illnessconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Mental health and crisis · Utilities and bills
State behavioral health fund that pays rent, damage deposit, utility deposits or utility bills (reported up to $1,000 every 3 years) for people with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk. Applied for through a contracted local provider.
Who it's for: Applicant or dependent has a diagnosed serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder, is homeless or at risk of homelessness, and is active in behavioral health services.
Bring: Proof of diagnosis/active services from your provider, ID, lease or bill
NM Public Regulation Commission - Consumer Relations Division
Utility complaints and shutoff help (electric, gas, water, phone)confirmed October 2026
Phone, mail and internet · Utilities and bills
State office that investigates complaints against regulated utilities (PNM, NM Gas, electric co-ops, phone and some water companies), including shutoff notices, billing disputes and winter shutoff protection.
Who it's for: Any New Mexico customer of a utility regulated by the PRC. Helpful when a shutoff is coming and the utility will not agree to a payment plan, or a LIHEAP household is threatened with winter shutoff (Nov 15-Mar 15).
Bring: Account number, shutoff notice, bills and notes of calls with the utility
Free Home Energy Checkup and free fridge/thermostat (income-qualified)confirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills
Free in-home or virtual energy checkup with free energy-saving items installed; income-qualified customers may also get a free refrigerator and smart thermostat. Free Easy Savings Kit (LED bulbs, power strips) too.
Report a power outage or downed power lineconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · Weather and disaster
PNM supplies electricity in Silver City and Deming. Report outages 24 hours by phone, online or text (#OUT to 78766 after registering). For downed lines or fire, call 911 first.
Emergency help paying a PNM electric billconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills
PNM (Silver City's electric company) gives once-a-year grants toward past-due electric bills for households facing disconnection. In Silver City, apply by appointment through St. Francis Newman Center (575-538-3662) or Hidalgo Medical Services Family Supp
Where: 114 W. 11th St. (HMS Family Support), Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: PNM electric customers who get LIHEAP or SNAP this year and have a past-due or disconnect notice (seniors 60+ do not need to be past due). Up to $120 per year total; seniors automatically get the maximum. Silver City partners: St. Francis Newman Center, 914 W. 13th St., 575-538-3662; HMS Family Support, 114 W. 11th St., 575-597-2745.
Bring: Proof of current-year LIHEAP or SNAP, past-due or disconnect notice (not needed for seniors), photo ID matching the name on the PNM account
Water, sewer and trash billing and payment arrangementsconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills
Town water, sewer and trash billing. Pay at City Hall (cash, check, money order, card +3%), drop box at NM Gas lot, or mail. Water shut off for non-payment is restored after paid in full; after 2:30 pm, next business day.
SSVF veteran rent, deposit and rehousing help (serves Grant County)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, rent and utility payments and case management for veterans. Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties are in its service area.
Who it's for: Veterans (Active, Reserve or National Guard service) or an un-remarried surviving spouse, living in New Mexico, who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. Discharge must not be dishonorable; some programs need other-than-dishonorable or specific service. Apply even without a DD214 or ID - they will help.
Bring: DD214 or discharge papers if you have them, ID, proof of income, lease or eviction notice
HMS Family Support Services (benefits, SNAP, utility help, insurance sign-up)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Food · Medical care · Benefits · Utilities and bills · 1 miles from Silver City
Community health workers help with SSI/disability applications (HMS is a state SOAR provider), SNAP, utility help, Medicaid/Medicare/exchange enrollment, sliding-fee sign-up, and housing and transportation referrals.
Hours: State website lists the Lordsburg office open Tuesdays only, 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Other days call 1-800-283-4465 (Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm) or use the Silver City office.
SNAP, Medicaid, cash help and LIHEAP (T or C office)confirmed October 2026
Food · Benefits · Utilities and bills · 92 miles from Silver City
State office in T or C taking applications for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, General Assistance and LIHEAP energy help; useful for clients moving to Sierra County.
Where: 914 W. 13th St. (south side ramp), Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Grant County residents in need
Bring: Photo ID; copy of the bill you need help with; a second bill with the same address; proof of income for every adult; ID (birth certificate or insurance card) for every child; copy of your LIHEAP application from Income Support
Lifeline discount on local home phone/internet serviceconfirmed October 2026
Phone, mail and internet · Utilities and bills · 1 miles from Silver City
WNM Communications (local phone/internet company) gives Lifeline customers up to $9.25 off per month on phone, internet or bundled service (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands), plus free toll limitation to avoid long-distance charges.
Who it's for: Households on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or with income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. One Lifeline discount per household. Must recertify every year.
Bring: Lifeline approval from National Verifier, ID.
Firewood cutting permits ($2 per cord)confirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · Weather and disaster · 3 miles from Silver City
Personal firewood permits for heating: $2 per cord, 10-cord minimum ($20). Cut standing dead or dead-and-down wood (green wood only in marked areas). Comes with load tags and a firewood guide/map.
NM Environment Department - Silver City Field Office2 services
Free domestic well water testingconfirmed October 2026
Medical care · Utilities and bills · 3 miles from Silver City
Free testing of private (domestic) drinking-water wells for things like arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and iron. Done through NMED district offices and at periodic free 'Water Fairs' (a Silver City event was held April 2026). Not for town/public water.
Septic tank permits and environmental health questionsconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Utilities and bills · 3 miles from Silver City
Local NMED office for liquid waste (septic system) permits and inspections, and environmental health concerns in Grant County (for example failing septic systems).
Pinos Altos Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association
Pinos Altos water service, billing and outagesconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 7 miles from Silver City
Community water system for Pinos Altos. Call about starting service or a water bill; pay online. Separate number for water emergencies (breaks, outages).
Arenas Valley water service, billing and outagesconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 8 miles from Silver City
Member-owned water system for Arenas Valley homes. Call to start water service, ask about a bill or report a leak or outage. Bills come monthly and are late after the 25th; pay online or at the office.
Tyrone water and sewer service, billing and emergenciesconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 10 miles from Silver City
Water and sewer for the Tyrone townsite. One phone line for service questions and water or sewer emergencies (office not staffed; operators answer). Pay bills online.
Hanover Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association
Hanover water service and billingconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 15 miles from Silver City
Community water system for Hanover. The state's listed contact number is the Village of Santa Clara Village Hall line, which appears to handle this system; ask for water/Hanover water.
Gas and water utility billing (Lordsburg)confirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 45 miles from Silver City
City of Lordsburg runs the natural gas and water/wastewater utilities. City Hall handles billing, payments and new service. 24-hour gas leak response through Central Dispatch.
Water, gas and sewer billing (Deming)confirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 53 miles from Silver City
City of Deming runs the water, natural gas and wastewater utilities. Call or visit City Hall for billing, payment arrangements and starting service. Online payments available.
Electric bill payment plans and LIHEAP shutoff protectionconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 53 miles from Silver City
Electric co-op for parts of Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties. Sets up installment plans on past-due bills case by case and points members to LIHEAP; LIHEAP-eligible members are protected from winter shutoff Nov 15-Mar 15.
Who it's for: Columbus Electric members (rural parts of Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties) who are behind on their bill. Winter shutoff protection needs LIHEAP eligibility and staying current on a payment agreement.
Bring: Account number, shutoff notice, LIHEAP application or approval
Southwestern Regional Housing & Community Development Corp.
Free home weatherization for low-income householdsconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Utilities and bills · 53 miles from Silver City
Weatherization provider for Grant County. Free repairs that cut energy bills, such as insulation, windows, doors, and water heater or furnace fixes, for income-qualified homeowners and renters (with landlord permission).
Electric bill hardship help and budget payment planconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 100 miles from Silver City
Rural electric co-op in Sierra County. Members having trouble paying can call or visit to work out options and a budget payment plan; staff refer to LIHEAP for bill help.
Clothing vouchers and fire/flood emergency help (Las Cruces)confirmed October 2026
Clothing, showers and laundry · Utilities and bills · Weather and disaster · 113 miles from Silver City
Las Cruces Salvation Army offers clothing and furniture vouchers, a food pantry, and utility help when funds allow; cash help is mostly limited to fire or flood emergencies.
Electric and water billing, payment questions and deposits (T or C)confirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · 115 miles from Silver City
City-owned electric and water utility. Start or change service, billing questions, payment arrangements. Low-income seniors and disabled people can ask to pay the deposit in monthly parts (up to 6 months).
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills · 235 miles from Silver City
Free VA-funded help for very low-income veterans and families who are homeless or about to be: case management and short-term money for rent, deposits and moving.
Statewide information and referral lineconfirmed October 2026
Emergency shelter · Housing and rent help · Food · Domestic and sexual violence · Veterans · Utilities and bills · 300 miles from Silver City
Free statewide helpline and online directory to find shelter, housing help, food, utility help and more anywhere in Arizona, including a Housing Crisis Hotline.
Emergency shelter · Food · Clothing, showers and laundry · Utilities and bills · 450 miles from Silver City
70-bed shelter for families and individuals with three meals a day; extra cots and warming/cooling station in extreme weather; also food pantry and utility help.
Interest-free loans and grants for Air Force and Space Force members and retireeconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
Air Force aid society offering no-interest loans and grants for basic living costs, car or home repairs, medical/dental bills, funerals and emergency travel. Retirees get limited help.
Zero-interest loans and grants for soldiers, retirees and familiesconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Transportation · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
Army aid society giving no-interest loans and some grants for emergencies like rent or mortgage, utilities, food, car repairs, emergency travel, funeral costs and medical co-pays; usually decided within 48 hours.
Who it's for: Active-duty soldiers, Army retirees (longevity or medical, including retired Guard/Reserve getting retired pay), Title 10 Guard/Reserve over 30 days, and surviving spouses/children.
Bring: Military or retiree ID, LES or retiree pay statement, bills or estimates.
Lifeline and NM Telephone Assistance Program discount on home phone or internetconfirmed October 2026
Phone, mail and internet · Utilities and bills
Lifeline discount (up to $9.25/month on internet or $5.25 on voice) on a CenturyLink bill, plus New Mexico's state Telephone Assistance Program adding up to $2.50/month off a landline for income-qualified customers.
Who it's for: Lifeline-eligible households; NM state discount only for those who qualified by income. One discount per household; phone or internet, not both.
Bring: Lifeline confirmation number from USAC; NM application form if qualifying by income.
Free online search for free or reduced-cost services by ZIP codeconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Food · Benefits · Utilities and bills
A national directory of free and low-cost programs (food, housing, bills, health, jobs, legal) searchable by ZIP code (88061). Listings can be texted or emailed to a client, and the site works in many languages. Some national and online programs show up h
Housing New Mexico - HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS)
Rent, mortgage, utility and deposit help for low-income people living with HIVconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Medical care · Utilities and bills
State-funded HOPWA providers give longer-term rental assistance, short-term help with rent, mortgage and utilities to prevent homelessness, and move-in costs (deposits, first and last month's rent, application and utility hookup fees) for people with HIV
Self-Sufficiency Grants: one-time payment of an emergency bill for low-income woconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
Modest Needs pays one emergency expense straight to the creditor, for example rent after a sudden loss of income, a car repair needed to keep a job, an uncovered medical bill or a funeral cost. It's meant for working households just above the poverty line
Who it's for: Households with earned income from a job who can normally pay their bills but had a documented, one-time setback within the past year. Not for people with no income, ongoing shortfalls or long-term needs.
Bring: Proof of income/employment, the bill or estimate, documentation of the emergency.
New Mexico Department of Justice (Attorney General) - Consumer Protection
Consumer complaints: scams, debt collectors, predatory lenders, bad landlordsconfirmed October 2026
Legal help, courts and re-entry · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
Takes complaints about scams, unfair debt collection, payday and title loans, car sales and other consumer problems, and may mediate with the business.
24/7 gas leak and emergency lineconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills · Weather and disaster
If anyone smells gas or hears hissing, leave the area, call 911, then call the gas company emergency line. Do not use switches, phones or flames near the leak.
Winter help paying a gas heating billconfirmed October 2026
Utilities and bills
Donation-funded fund, administered with the Salvation Army, that helps income-qualified NM Gas customers pay heating bills in winter. Apply for LIHEAP first; applications usually open in January and run until money is gone.
Who it's for: Active-duty members and veterans in financial hardship, especially deployed members or those with a service-connected wound, illness or injury; see CFA eligibility page.
Bring: Military ID; DD214 if discharged; deployment orders or line-of-duty/medical records of injury; bills.
Pays non-medical bills (housing, utilities, car, insurance) for people in activeconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Medical care · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
Pink Fund pays essential non-medical bills, such as rent or mortgage, utilities, car payments and car or health insurance premiums, directly to creditors. It's for people in active breast cancer treatment who lost work income because of treatment. Grants
Who it's for: Breast cancer patients in active treatment throughout the funding period whose household working income has dropped because of treatment. Applicants must have been working before diagnosis; an employer letter is required.
Bring: Doctor's letter and medical forms, employer letter, tax returns/W-2, bank statements, paycheck stubs, and the bills to be paid.
Emergency financial help for veterans and military familiesconfirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
National charity that helps post-9/11 and pre-9/11 service members and veterans with emergency bills to prevent eviction, foreclosure or loss of transportation; also runs a crisis response program.
Financial Assistance for Service Members grant (up to $2,500)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Veterans · Utilities and bills · Money and banking
One-time grant (not a loan) of up to $2,500 for basic living costs, paid straight to the creditor, for military families hit by money trouble tied to deployment, military duty or injury.
Some help people need still isn't available in Grant County, like inpatient detox, a local public defender office, and help applying for disability. See the list, and tell us if your organization can help fill one, or if you know of help we've missed.
📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date
Phone numbers, hours and services change all the time. Volunteers call each place to make sure its listing is still right, so no one makes a trip for nothing. You can do it from home, on your own schedule. An hour a week makes a real difference.
For other organizations: this directory is free to use and share. Download the whole directory (spreadsheet, updated live).
Please credit the Silver City Gospel Mission, and remember that hours and services change: call ahead before sending someone.
Kept by the Silver City Gospel Mission · 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, NM 88061 · 575-388-5071 · Updated October 28, 2026.
Information comes from the providers themselves, public sources and our staff. It is offered as a help, not a guarantee; please call ahead.