More than 43,000 customers face disconnection soon as COVID moratorium end is near

(Albuquerque, N.M.) – The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission voted recently to end the yearlong COVID moratorium on shutting off electricity starting as soon as August 12, 2021, for PNM customers. The moratorium had been a temporary emergency pandemic measure designed to help customers at the start of the pandemic. PNM urges the approximately 43,000 residential customers to immediately contact them for help paying down the past-due balances through financial relief assistance programs or to get on a payment plan to help avoid a shutoff situation.

“Utilities across the country, including PNM, have loosened qualifications and expanded financial aid programs to help more customers than ever that have been affected by the pandemic,” said Maddie Martinez-Vega, PNM low income programs manager. “If you have never applied for help paying your PNM bill, we know it can be a difficult call to make, but it is time-sensitive that you apply immediately so we can help you from a worsening situation.” 

The utility moratorium on disconnects prevented customers from having their electricity disconnected due to non-payment, however, customers are still responsible for paying the energy they have used. This has resulted in quite a few past-due bills stacking up month after month, and in some customer cases, nearly a year of unpaid PNM bills. As of May 7, approximately 43,413 residential customers, about 8 percent of 530,000 total PNM customers, are past-due on their PNM bill with an average past-due amount of $469 per customer. Several thousand customers have recently made payment arrangements with PNM to get caught back up on their bills which will help them avoid disconnection.

“Disconnections always has been and always will be the last thing we ever want to do,” said Eric Morgan, PNM collection manager. “While a disconnection is not a position any customer ever wants to be in, the good news is there is a lot of money available through assistance programs to help you get caught back up again but avoid the rush and apply for help right away to keep your lights on.”

If you need help paying your past-due PNM bill, visit PNM.com/help or call PNM at 855-364-2950. PNM may be able to help pay down, or possibly pay off, your past-due PNM bills for residential customers through the PNM COVID Customer Relief Fund, the PNM Good Neighbor Fund, the State of New Mexico Emergency Renters Assistance program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and more.