Get Help Paying Your Energy Bill
Reduce Utility Rate & Rebate Programs
For Low-Income, Seniors, Disabled, and Homeowners
Offered Through Your Local Gas & Electric Company & Government
Discount Programs Available through your Local
Utility Company to Save Energy in your Home.
All the nation’s utility companies – gas, electric, and phones – sponsor programs for low-income consumers that could cut rates by 20 percent or more. You don’t have to be destitute either. A temporary job loss can qualify you for some relief.
There are programs for low-income consumers that are funded by all ratepayers. You must ask about them.
When it comes to electric and gas programs, 43 states including California have state-sponsored consumer advocates for utility customers. These state offices can be the first stop for those needing help with all types of utility bills.
A directory of the advocate offices is available through the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. Many of the Programs are listed below.
The federal government also sponsors the low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps income-qualified individuals pay heat and electric bills.
The difficulty for consumers is that the funds are distributed through local community organizations and government agencies that are not always easy to find.
However, utilities themselves are familiar with all the options affecting their customers. Most provide information on their websites and through consumer helplines. But you must be proactive and call them to get assistance.
California Alternate Rate for Energy, or CARE provides discounts of 20 percent or more for income-qualifying customers on both gas and electric bills. The income limits for programs like CARE typically are tied to the federal poverty guidelines or to the average income in your area. In this case, a single ratepayer would qualify if he or she earns up to $30,500 annually; a family of four would qualify with up to $43,200 in income.
California Incentives-Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
PG&E Reduced Rate Programs.
CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy)
Rate for Low-Income
The program provides a 20% discount on your monthly gas and/or electric bill for qualifying households. You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free (866) 743-2273. Website: www.pge.com/care
INCOME GUIDELINES
1 or 2 people $30,500 annually
3 people $35,800 annually
4 people $43,200 annually
5 people $50,600 annually
6 persons $58,000 annually
Each additional person $ 7,400 annually
Medical Baseline Allowance for disabled persons with special heating/air-conditioning needs or medical equipment. Requires physician’s certificate of essential need.
For an application call
Toll Free (866) 743-2273.
FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance: Program provides savings on your electric bill for large households of three or more persons with low-to-middle income. The PG&E bill must be in your name. You must live at the address where the discount will be received. You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free (800) 743-5000. Website: www.pge.com/fera
INCOME GUIDELINES
1 or 2 people Not Eligible
3 persons $35,801 – $44,800 annually
4 persons $43,201 – $54,000 annually
5 people $50,601 – $63,200 annually
6 persons $58,001 – $72,400 annually
Each additional person $7,400 – $9,200 annually
California Lifeline Telephone Program
Qualified households could save 50 percent on their monthly basic phone bill, plus they do not pay certain monthly surcharges and fees. Contact the LifeLine Call Center for general information about the California LifeLine program. The LifeLine Call Center can also help find telephone companies that offer California LifeLine and connect consumers to these California LifeLine approved telephone companies.
Toll Free: English (866) 272-0349 Spanish (866) 272-0350
Website: www.californialifeline.com
INCOME GUIDELINES
1-2 people $24,000 annually
3 people $28,200 annually
4 people $34,000 annually
Each additional person $ 5,800 annually
SMUD Reduced Rate Programs
Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR): Qualified customers that meet the income guidelines for EAPR will save more than 30 percent on their monthly electric bills. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free at (866) 742- SMUD (7683).
Website: www.smud.org
INCOME GUIDELINES
1 to 2 persons $30,500 annually/ $2,542 monthly
3 persons $35,800 annually/ $2,983 monthly
4 persons $43,200 annually/ $3,600 monthly
5 persons $50,600 annually/ $4,217 monthly
6 persons $58,000 annually/ $4,833 monthly
Each additional person $ 7,400 annually/ $ 617 monthly
Medical Equipment Discount or MED Rate: If you or a full-time resident of your household requires an electrically powered device for medical reasons, SMUD’s MED RATE can save you more than 30 percent on your monthly electric bill. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free (888) 742-7683. Website: www.smud.org
Budget Bill: Customers with higher winter or summer bills can request to have their annual bills divided into 12 monthly payments. Call Toll Free at (888) 742-7683. Website: www.smud.org
ONCE A YEAR PROGRAMS
Homeowner and Renter Assistance (California Franchise Tax Board)
Provides partial rebate of property taxes (or portion of rent presumed to be paid for taxes).
Filing period: Begins July 1 Not Accepting Applications at This Time
Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind.
Household Income: $44,096 or less
For an application call Toll Free (800) 868-4171. Website: www.ftb.ca.gov
Property Tax Postponement (California State Controller)
Provides for postponement of property taxes until a person moves, sells, dies, or changes the title.
Filing period: July 1- October 15 Program Is Currently Suspended
Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind
Income: $37,119 maximum annually
Call Toll Free (800) 952-5661. Website: www.sco.ca.gov
Sacramento City Utility Users Rebate of Utility Tax
Filing period: January 1 – March 16, 2012
Eligibility: Sacramento City residents
Income: less than $25,000 annually
For an application call (916) 808-7736
Need proof of paid utility tax, proof of income, picture ID, and copy of utility bill.
Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program (SLRAP)
The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD) offers eligible low-income customers a discount on their sewer bills. Customers can save up to $100 per year on the regional portion of their sewer bill. No need to reapply for five years.
Call (916) 875-5000 or go online to apply.
Website: www.sewerlifeline.com
INCOME GUIDELINES
1 to 2 persons $35,313 annually/$2,859 monthly
3 persons $40,275 annually/$3,356 monthly
4 persons $48,600 annually/$4,050 monthly
5 persons $56,925 annually/$4,746 monthly
6 persons $65,250 annually/$5,438 monthly
Each additional person is $ 8,325 annually/$694 monthly
mPower Program
Placer County to spark energy upgrade. Placer County will launch an AB 811 financing program designed to spur property owners to invest in energy – and water-conserving improvements, with payments wrapped into a parcel’s property-tax bill and spread over varying years. Placer’s mPower – short for Money for Property Owner and Water Energy efficiency Retrofitting -is using 33 million of the county treasury’s roughly $1 billion in deposits to fund the first round of loans.
Visit the mPower program website for more information: www.mpowerplacer.org