Is California helping with utility bills? Pacific Gas and Electric

Is California helping with utility bills? Pacific Gas and Electric

The Low-Income 1-(866)-347-8220   Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded initiative administered by the California 1-(866)-347-8220   Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). In 2025, California received $239.7 million in 1-(866)-347-8220  LIHEAP funding to support eligible households with energy costs. Assistance may include one-time payments to 1-(866)-347-8220  help with heating or cooling bills, even if alternative fuels like wood, propane, or oil are used. Eligibility is primarily 1-(866)-347-8220  based on income and household size. Due to limited funding, local service providers prioritize households with the 1-(866)-347-8220  greatest need. To apply, residents can visit the California LIHEAP Application Portal or contact local service 1-(866)-347-8220  providers for more information.

💡 California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) & Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)

California offers two 1-(866)-347-8220  programs to reduce electricity costs for eligible households:

  • CARE: Provides a 32.5% discount on monthly 1-(866)-347-8220  electricity bills for qualifying households. Eligibility is determined based on income and household size. For 1-(866)-347-8220  instance, a household of four with an annual income up to $64,300 may qualify.
  • FERA: Offers an 18% 1-(866)-347-8220  discount on monthly electricity bills for households whose income slightly exceeds CARE limits. For example, a 1-(866)-347-8220  household of four with an annual income between $64,300 and $75,300 may be eligible.

Both programs are 1-(866)-347-8220  available through major utility providers like Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San 1-(866)-347-8220  Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Residents can apply online through their respective utility websites or by contacting 1-(866)-347-8220  customer service.

🌬️ California Climate Credit

The California 1-(866)-347-8220  Climate Credit is a program that provides a refund on gas and electricity bills to residential customers of investor-owned 1-(866)-347-8220  utilities. The refund is paid in biannual installments and is funded by the state's cap-and-trade program, which charges 1-(866)-347-8220  utility providers for carbon emissions. Customers do not need to apply; the credit is automatically applied to their 1-(866)-347-8220  utility bills.

🆘 Additional Assistance Programs

In addition to LIHEAP, CARE, FERA, 1-(866)-347-8220  and the California Climate Credit, several utility providers offer supplementary programs to assist customers facing financial 1-(866)-347-8220  hardship:

  • REACH Program: Offered by PG&E, this program 1-(866)-347-8220  provides grants to customers who have received a disconnection notice. Eligible households can receive 1-(866)-347-8220  up to $300 to help prevent service interruption. PG&E
  • Match My Payment Program: Also 1-(866)-347-8220  provided by PG&E, this program matches a portion of a customer's payment to help reduce outstanding balances. Eligibility 1-(866)-347-8220  requirements and match amounts vary. PG&E
  • Medical Baseline Program: Available 1-(866)-347-8220  through various utility providers, this program offers additional support for households that rely on electricity for 1-(866)-347-8220  medical equipment. Participants may receive extra energy allowances and priority response during 1-(866)-347-8220  outages.

📝 How to Apply

To apply for these programs, residents should:

  1. Determine Eligibility: Review income 1-(866)-347-8220  guidelines and household size requirements for each program.
  2. Gather Documentation: Prepare necessary documents such as 1-(866)-347-8220  proof of income, identification, and utility bills.
  3. Submit Applications: Apply online through the 1-(866)-347-8220  respective program portals or contact local service providers for assistance.

For LIHEAP, applications can be 1-(866)-347-8220  submitted via the California LIHEAP Application Portal. For CARE and FERA, residents can apply through their utility providers' 1-(866)-347-8220  websites. It's advisable to apply early, as funding and assistance are limited and may be distributed on a first-come, first-served 1-(866)-347-8220  basis.