Resource Number: 84230439
Alternate name: PGE

Description
Two PG&E web pages with info about multiple financial assistance resources

• Financial assistance and support for customers - https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/company-information/protective-protocols/financial-support-awareness.page
• Find help to pay your bill or save energy - https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/payment-assistance-overview/payment-assistance-overview.page

One-Time Assistance
REACH - RELIEF FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE THROUGH COMMUNITY HELP – through Dollar Energy. The PG&E REACH program helps low-income families keep their utilities services turned on in times of hardship or crisis. The REACH program is managed by Dollar Energy. See 2023 REACH info here: https://www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/california/reach-program/#:~:text=The%20maximum%20grant%20amount%20an,to%20pay%20past%20due%20amounts. Call 800-933-9677 or apply online at hardshiptools.org/MyApp
 
LIHEAP – through Project GO
https://www.projectgoinc.org/energy.html
The HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) is a program of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides assistance to eligible low-income households. The HEAP program provides financial help in the form of an annual (once every 12 months) utility payment for gas, electric, propane, or firewood to help with the high costs of heating and/or cooling.
 
Longer-Term Assistance
BUDGET BILLING – PG&E
https://www.pge.com/en/account/billing-and-assistance/financial-assistance/budget-billing-program.html
The Budget Billing program averages energy costs over the previous 12 months to determine the monthly payment amount. Separate web page about how it works : https://www.pge.com/en/account/billing-and-assistance/financial-assistance/budget-billing-program.html#BudgetBillingHowTo
 
CARE and FERA – PG&E
http://www.pge.com/carefera
CARE and FERA are PG&E discount programs that help eligible customers pay their energy bills. People need to complete the online CARE/FERA enrollment form to find out if they're eligible. 

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE). A monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity. Participants qualify through income guidelines or if enrolled in certain public assistance programs.
• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA). A monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Must be a household with three or more people. Participants qualify through income guidelines.
• Contact - Email CAREandFERA@pge.com or call 866-743-2273

 MEDICAL BASELINE PROGRAM – PG&E
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/longer-term-assistance/medical-condition-related/medical-baseline-allowance/medical-baseline-allowance.page
For residential customers dependent on life-support equipment and/or special heating and cooling needs due to certain medical conditions. Residential customers enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program and on any tiered rates (e.g., E-1, EM, or E-TOU-C) receive an additional allotment of energy every month at the lowest price available on their rate. This is called the Baseline Allowance. https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/rate-plans/rate-plan-options/tiered-base-plan/understanding-baseline-allowance.page In the Medical Baseline Program, the additional allotment of energy is approximately 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas per month depending on the customer’s energy needs as verified by a medical practitioner during certification. Medical Baseline customers will receive extra notifications as part of Public Safety Power Shutoff outreach.
 
ENERGY SAVINGS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - PG&E
The PG&E Energy Savings Assistance Program provides qualified customers with energy-saving improvements at no charge. Utility-approved contractors work with low-income customers to make their homes more energy efficient. Improvements can include replacing a refrigerator, repairing or replacing a furnace or water heater, installing insulation, weatherproofing/weatherization, energy-efficient light bulbs, and more. See details and application link here: https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/energy-reduction-and-weatherization/energy-savings-assistance-program/energy-savings-assistance-program.page
 
ARREARAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP) - PG&E
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/payment-assistance-overview/payment-assistance-overview.page
The Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) is a debt forgiveness plan for PG&E customers who are eligible. For every on-time payment over a 12-month period, a portion of the customer’s past due amount is reduced. Customers must be enrolled in one of PG&E's financial assistance programs, CARE or FERA, and may also be participating in REACH and/or LIHEAP programs.

Program Phones: 800-743-5000 Toll free

Website: www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/company-information/protective-protocols/financial-support-awareness.page

Categorized as:

Utility Bill Payment Plans Electric Service Payment Assistance Gas Service Payment Assistance Public Safety Power Shutoff Notice Assistance Utility Service Providers Skip Navigation Links.

 

Attachments

Overview of PG&E Financial Assistance Programs (.pdf) as of April 2023