Consumer Education Program
Solutions for Bill Savings and Services
PG&E Energy Savings Assistance Program:
Provides both renters and owners living in a house, mobile home, or apartment that is at least five years old with free home upgrades. This program also provides education and assists income-qualified consumers with applying for monthly discounts on energy bills up to 20% from PG&E.
CARE PROGRAM:
Provides income-qualified renters and homeowners with free solutions to help manage their energy use and save money on their monthly energy bill. Providing energy-efficient appliances, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, minor home repairs, caulking, showerheads, replacement of your old refrigerator, furnace, water heater, and a potential savings of 20% or more on your monthly gas and electric bills. Check the income guidelines below to see if you qualify:
REACH PROGRAM:
The REACH programadministered by Dollar Energy Fund to assist eligible utility customers with their Pacific Gas and Electric bills. Customers may be eligible to receive a one-time grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
REQUIRED PAYMENT:
Applicants must have paid the past due balance down to a maximum assistance amount of $500 or less on their Pacific Gas and Electric account. Any past due amount above $500 on their bill can be paid by the customer or can be pledged from a Community Based Organization
BALANCE REQUIREMENT:
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their Pacific Gas and Electric bill of at least $100. Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have an outstanding balance of at least $50.
MAXIMUM GRANT:
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500. Applicants can only receive a grant once every 12 months. Grants can only be used to pay past due amounts. Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis. If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:
Customers enrolled in the CAP are eligible to apply for a hardship grant. Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial or apartments with shared utility service. Accounts that are Section 8 or Government Subsidized housing may be eligible. Name on the account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open. All applicants must provide verification of income.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Grants cannot be used to pay on closed accounts or transferred balances. Other service providers like CCA customer balances are not eligible for the REACH program. REACH can only pay for the PG&E portion. According to the rules, “When determining what to pay, only include the PG&E portion of the bill. Other service provider balances should be viewed like reconnection fees or deposits – they are the responsibility of the customer.”
INCOME GUIDELINES:
Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for our programs.