Pacific Gas & Electric

Low-Income Rate Assistance

• CARE
  Through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program eligible customers receive a 20 percent discount on electric and natural gas bills.  See CARE income guidelines. Many public utilities also offer rate assistance programs.
• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)
  Rate reduction program for large households of three or more people with low- to middle-income, designed for customers who exceed the income threshold for the CARE discount program.
• Medical Baseline Program
  Customers dependent on life-support equipment or with special heating or cooling needs may be eligible for 500 kWh of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas per month at the lowest price, in addition to standard baseline quantities. They are also exempt from the average 3-cent per kWh energy procurement surcharge.
  1-800-743-5000
  www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

• Energy Savings Assistance Program
  This program provides income-qualified renters and homeowners with easy, free solutions to help manage their energy use and save money on their monthly energy bills. Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home may include: compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads and minor home repair. and more. Furnace and water heater repair or replacement may be available to eligible homeowners when PG&E determines existing natural gas units are inoperative or unsafe. Check the income guidelines and complete an online application or speak with a program specialist at 1-800-989-9744.
  http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/saveenergymoney/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram/index.page

Emergency Charitable Assistance

• REACH
  A one-time energy-assistance program that is administered through the Salvation Army from 170 offices in northern and central California. Those who have experienced an uncontrollable or unforeseen hardship may receive an energy credit up to $200, credit amount based on the past due amount of the bill. REACH assistance may be available once within an 18-month period, but exceptions can be made for seniors, the physically challenged and the terminally ill. Eligibility is 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
  1-800-933-9677
  www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/reach/index.shtml