Utility and energy bill assistance programs in California,
Find how to get financial help with paying utility bills in California. Most of the gas, electric, and utility companies offer assistance programs. There are also free discounts or payment plans for low-income families, seniors or people with no money. They may give grant money, forgiveness, reconnection help and emergency assistance with electric bills. Read below for details on electric and utility bill help in California.
Some of the energy bill assistance programs, such as CARE, free weatherization or LIHEAP, are mandated by the state or federal government. Some local cities, counties and towns may also be able to provide emergency utility bill help to the elderly, disabled, or veterans in the area. This also includes free Air conditioners in the summer or HVAC repairs. Other programs are funded by donations such as services that replace windows for free. Regardless of the source, customers in California can contact their utility or gas company to request assistance or an application.
Government financial assistance to help pay utility bills
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) is available statewide. This assistance program is offered by all utility companies across California. What it does is it provides customers across the state with a discount on natural gas and electric bills. It is only available for lower income families, senior citizens with a fixed income and certain thresholds apply. So while the CARE program may not be referenced below for all the utilities listed, they do offer it so you can just refer to the program when looking for help.
Low income government assistance and free energy conservation programs are offered statewide. California families that meet low income guidelines can receive free grants for paying their utility bills from the federal government Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as free energy conservation measures. Additional details on California LIHEAP grants for low income energy bill help.
California Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program is about conservation. This is a program that is offered by almost all utility, gas, and power companies across California. Qualified low to moderate income customers, can gain access to such services including energy efficient furnaces, attic insulation, low-flow showerheads, energy efficient refrigerators, and other repair or updates. There may also be weatherstripping, caulking, water heater blankets, and other conservation measure. Call your local utility company to apply.
California disconnection prevention laws are in effect. Each year many families or single people in California face a disconnection of their utility service. Reasons for this can be many, including a job loss, medical emergency, or short term financial hardship. Click here to learn more on California state utility disconnection laws, and how they can protect individuals to ensure a possible disconnection is legal.
Financial assistance for water bills is coordinated by the government too. The state of California requires that water companies offer some form of assistance to their customers. Services can range from payment plans to discounts and reduced rates. If you are behind on your water bills or are facing a shut off, find a listing of resources for water bill assistance in California.
Electric and utility assistance from companies in CA
Alameda Power & Telecom offers one time emergency utility bill assistance from the Energy Assistance through Supportive Efforts (EASE). There are also free conservation measures, including HVAC or Air conditioner tune ups and CFL bulbs. Or inquire into payment plans, grant money to pay light or power bills from local non-profits and more. Dial 510-814-4219 or (510) 748-3900
Alpine Natural Gas offers the elderly, disabled and working poor utility relief. There is the LIFE program, low-income relief, emergency help to stop a disconnection and other financial resources. Call 209-772-3006
Anaheim Public Utilities offers senior citizens a free discount on their bills from the Low-Income Senior Energy Credit. There are also free air conditioners for the elderly, window fans and weatherization programs to help any low-income family. Many of these are offered in partnership with the Orange County California Community Development Council.
Another emergency program can provide one-time emergency utility and gas bill help. This will focus on people in a short term financial hardship or facing a disconnection. Several other low income assistance and grant programs are administered by Anaheim Utilities in California. They focus on seniors, families with children, and others. Free conservation measures are offered too. Call 714-765-4500 or (714) 765-3300 or continue with financial assistance from Anaheim Utilities.
Azusa Light and Water provides help with both electric and water utilities. The Residential Low Income Assistance may be able to provide a one-time energy bill payment. They also run and offer the lifeline rate, which applies to households who have a full-time member who requires essential life-support devise such as CPAP or that need power to run other health care equipment. Call 626-812-5225 or 626-812-5200.
Bear Valley Electric / Golden State Company partners with non-profits as well as the Salvation Army to help people pay their utility bills. The main assistance program they run is CARE, and it may be able to offer customers living in poverty a discount on their water or electric costs.
 The company also helps people apply for LIHEAP grant money to help pay due bills, as well as crisis funds. There is also free energy conservation, weatherization services and more. The goal is to help people both pay their bills and save money. Telephone - 800-999-4033 or 1-800-808-2837
Burbank Water and Power has applications to a assistance program for low-income families known as Project Share. This program was created to help Burbank California area families who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties or a short term hardship pay their utility costs, including a deposit to turn on service.
They also help Burbank CA families, with a focus on seniors, save money from the Lifeline Program. There are savings on utilities, water, sewer costs and other utility related charges. Or inquire into payment plans and other forms of relief. Call 818-238-3722 or 818-238-3700.
City of Banning offers struggling families A program known as B.E.A.R (Banning Electric Alternative Rate. This may be able to assist qualified low-income city residents with paying their electric bill. If a customer applies for help, and upon approval, qualified applicants to the BEAR program will receive an annual discount. There are also payment extensions and other forms of utility relief. Call (951) 922-3185 or 951-849-5224
City of Colton Electric Utility has multiple programs. Three options include the Medical Baseline program, which provides for financial help for people with a medical condition. There is also a Public Benefit Charge Exemption, which is a rate credit on a customer’s utility bill. Or free AC units are given out to seniors and the disabled as part of the Evaporative Cooler Program. All this is in addition for payment plans, help with a shut off notice and more. Call 909-370-5040 or (909) 370-5104
City of Healdsburg helps the working poor and people in a fixed income with their utilities. Emergency or so called Crisis Assistance is available and can provide a one-time annual grant. They also administer the City Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE), which will offer up to a discount on gas, electric, and water bills for income-qualified customers. All this is in addition to free grant money for light or electric bills from LIHEAP and other aid. Call 1-866-675-6626 or (707) 431-3307
Palo Alto Utilities offers free discounts to low-income customers with a medical condition as well as credits for disabled families on SSI or the working poor on SNAP. There is also emergency help to pay light or gas bills from Project PLEDGE program. The goal is to help families on government benefits keep their power on, even more so during the summer heat. Call 650-329-2333 or (650) 329-2161
City of Shasta Lake Municipal Utilities offers financial help in partnership with the Salvation Army. There are also forgiveness plans, budget billing and The Lifeline Program may be able to offer reduced rates to customers. Interested customers can dial the Salvation Army at 530-222-2207 or the utility company at 530-275-7400
Glendale Water & Power has free energy efficient appliances from programs such as Cool Care (refrigerators, small AC units, etc) as well as discounts to the elderly from Senior Care. Emergency help with power bills for sick, disabled or families with young kids that have medical equipment, and that is the GWP Guardian program.
Direct assistance to pay Glendale Water and Power’s bills is from Helping Hand. This gives money to seniors, single moms or people with little money to pay a past due utility bill or to turn power back on. Other support is offered too on a one-off basis. Call 818-548-3300 to apply or request an application.
Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has an Emergency Energy Assistance Program. Grants or partial foregiveness is given to struggling households facing disconnection due to nonpayment of their utility, gas, or electric bills. There is also the Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP), budget billing and conservation / weatherization measures for low-income families. Call 1-800-303-7756.
Lassen Municipal Utilities District has payment plans as well as a free Energy Conservation Assistance Program: ECAP. This is a resource that provides utility bill rate assistance, with an emphasis on energy conservation, to low-income customers. Dial 530-257-4174 for more information or details.
Lodi Electric Utility offers discounts to seniors or the disabled as well as emergency help to people facing a hardship. Programs include, but are not limited too, money from the government LIHEAP to pay utility bills to prevent a shut off, the Single Household Alternative Rate for Energy (SHARE) program, help for people with medical needs and more. Dial (209) 333-6762 or (209) 333-6717.
Lompoc City Electric offers discounts for utility bills for income qualifying households, budgeting billing, emergency help to stop a delay a disconnection and more. Lompoc also offers assistance for qualifying customers that can help them to purchase energy efficient appliances. To see if you qualify for these assistance programs call (805) 736-1261 or 875-8252.
Long Beach Gas & Water helps seniors, disabled people and the unemployed with discounts, credits, and other relief. Everything from LIHEAP grant money or weatherization, payment plans or abatements and other services are offered. A major focus is on helping low-income senior citizens and disabled customers with their electric or water bills, and call (562) 570-5700.
LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) offers financial help, payment options and more to low-income families. Project Angel, offer in partnership with the United Way, help pay utility bills for seniors, the unemployed and disabled on SSI. There are also discounts from Residential Rate Programs and energy conservation updates.
The company also works closely with charities and non-profits in Los Angeles county. They work together to help struggling LADWP customers keep their power and lights on. There are also air conditioner repair programs, grants to pay summer cooling electric bills and other resources. Phone number is 1-800-342-5397.
Modesto Irrigation District helps with both electric and water bills. Programs include payment plans, Grant Money from the Good Neighbor program, discounts from CARE and more. All these are focused on helping low-income families that are struggling to pay their bills. Call (888) 335-1643.
PG&E has several assistance programs. Struggling, low-income families or single parents can get grant money to pay electric bills from REACH, which is offered by the Salvation Army. There are discounts from CARE as well as Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA). There are applications to LIHEAP as well as weatherization. Some customers can also get forgiveness (or relief) of their power bills in certain circumstances.
Several other payment programs and weatherization resources are administered for low income California families. Pacific Gas and Electric will try to help people both keep their power on as well as reconnect it, with funds or credits on bills offered on a emergency basis. Call (877) 660-6789, or read more on financial assistance from Pacific Gas and Electric.
Pacific Power offers utility bill forgiveness plans, payment extensions, weatherization and more. Some of the help to pay power bills is offered by charities such as the Salvation Army REACH, which the company works closely with. There are also discounts from CARES, emergency electric help for people with a medical issue and other services offered.
A program that is administered by the Salvation Army known as Project HELP may be able to provide help for paying utility, gas, and electric bills. Main number is 1-888-221-7070. More details on Pacific Power assistance.
Pasadena Water and Power helps the low-income and families facing a hardship. A services known as Assisting Pasadena People with Limited Emergencies, or Project A.P.P.L.E. for short, offers one-time emergency financial assistance to pay bills to keep the power or water on. There are also resources such as Rebuilding Together Pasadena is a home repair and energy conservation program, discounts and others.
PWP offers qualified low income families with a disconnection notice other financial assistance and discount programs. Some resources to pay utility bills are focused on seniors or the disabled. Other programs are available for anyone that meets income limits. Call 626-744-4005, or more on assistance programs from Pasadena Water and Power.
Redding Electric Utility offers weatherization services as well as additional conservation measures from the from Self-Help Home Improvement Project (SHHIP). It is available for low income customers. Grant money to pay electric bills is from The SHARES program, which helps single parents, elderly, and senior citizens who are 62 years of age or older.
The Redding CARES program is available to struggling customers too. It will provide emergency financial assistance, and make the funds available to qualified low to moderate income families or people with a disconnection notice. The program will provide one-time utility bill payment assistance toward the electric portion of a customer’s utility bill. Several other resources are offered by Redding Electric to low income customers, including energy saving. Call (530) 339-7200, or learn more on Redding Electric financial help.
Riverside Public Utilities customers, whether low-income or that need help turning electric on, can get help from the SHARE assistance program. There is also the federal weatherization program as well as one offered directly by RPU known as WE CARE. There is also LIHEAP grant money, including to pay electric bill during the summer or provide an air conditioner to seniors or the disabled.
Or get help from UtiliCare payment plans and discounts. Some assistance is even available for water bills as well. Call (951) 782-0330 or 909-955-6478. Click here Riverside Public Utilities assistance programs.
Roseville Electric offers a discount for customers who need power for a medical reason. There are also electric bill hardship programs and energy conservation services. In addition they offer an Electric Rate Bill Assistance Program, which is in effect for the seniors or disabled for their bills. Call 916-797-6937
SMUD, or the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, helps low-income families with their bills. They work with charities and non-profits to offer customers the EnergyHELP program. Qualified low income recipients can receive financial assistance for SMUD bills from the Salvation Army, community action or Sacramento Food Bank.
There are also funds to pay a deposit to turn the lights back on. EAPR (Energy Assistance Program Rate) will help people are not currently disconnected from service. Another option is the Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR). Dial 1-888-742-7683. Or read more Sacramento Municipal Utility District programs.
SDGE, or San Diego Gas & Electric, helps people pay their utility bills, save money, and get grant money from government programs. A number of resources are offered. The company offers CARE (details at top of the page), and they administer the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA). There is also assistance from the Energy Team, a conservation program that gives free energy-saving home improvements, including A/C units.
Other emergency help with SDG&E bills is offered too. The Neighbor to Neighbor assistance program helps customers who do not qualify for any other federal government or state of California assistance programs. The company will offer them electric or gas bill relief, payment extensions and other support. Additional government financial assistance programs and grants are administered. Call 1-800-411-7343. Read more on San Diego Gas and Electric assistance.
Silicon Valley Power runs for its customers the Residential Rate Assistance Program (RAP), which provides seniors or the disabled with a discount off electric portion of Municipal Utilities bill. There is also government relief programs, payment plans and applications to forgiveness of utility bills for those in a crisis. Call (408) 615-2300.
SCE, or Southern California Edison, offers grant money, FERA discounts, and electric bill help for low-income families with a medical condition. There is also discounts and free home energy updates from the Energy Management Assistance Program, and this can include repairs to (or providing) a free air conditioner.
There are other payment plans, grants, and emergency resources. The goal is to help families in a one-time crisis to keep their electric and lights on. Call (800) 655-4555. Or find more on Southern California Edison assistance programs.
Southern California Gas Company, or SoCalGas, offers emergency help with bills. The company runs the Gas Assistance Fund with the United Way. Low-income customers can get access to free weatherization services as well as furnace repair or replacement services (homeowners only)..
In addition to the resources mentioned above, the energy company provides qualified low income customers, disabled, and seniors other financial. This can include payment plans, discounts, and government cash assistance. They also help low-income families or single moms pay for a deposit to connect the SoCalGas service. Dial 1-800-427-2200, or click here Southern California Gas assistance programs.
Southwest Gas offers grant money to pay bills from The Energy Share program. This is a a crisis or an emergency fund which provides money to qualified low to moderate income people with unexpected financial difficulties or a hardship, such as the loss of a job or a medical emergency. There is also free home energy improvements, propane, and AC repairs from the LIEE energy conservation program.
The company also offers applications to the CARE program as well as a medical assistance program from the Additional Baseline Program. Call 877-860-6020 . Those are just a couple examples of the services provided by the gas company. Read more Southwest Gas California assistance programs.
Surprise Valley Electric offers low-income families, seniors and people with a disability support. Qualified low income and other struggling customers may be able to receive one-time annual emergency energy bill assistance for paying electric bills. Dial 530-233-3511.
Temporary Energy Assistance for Families (TEAF) is offered by several companies. This is a utility assistance program that offers qualified customers hundreds of dollars to pay their energy bills while long term stability is arranged. It is run by the Salvation Army. Read more on Temporary Energy Assistance.
Trinity Public Utilities District offers a discount program known as Energy Net. It will provide customers savings on their total energy bill, with the amount fluctuates depending on rate revenues. The program is administered by The Human Response Network. There are also payment extensions, information on utility relief from the state and other benefits. Dial 530-623-2024 or (530) 623-5536 to apply or learn more.
Truckee Donner PUD may be able to provide pipe and attic insulation, low-flow showerheads and other basic weatherization measures to help customers save on utility bills. Tere is also information on affordable or low-cost HVAC repairs as well as money for families to pay their utility bills (or forgiveness) if they are in a financial crisis. Phone - 530-582-3931 or (530) 587-3896
Turlock Irrigation District operates the CARES program to help with natural gas and electric bills. Another option is Home Life Support Discount Program, which offers discounts or emergency electric bill help to eligible customers with life support equipment in their homes or medical conditions requiring temporary regulation.
They also partner with Central Valley Opportunities Center (phone 209-577-3210) to offer qualified people free weatherization services including free appliances. Or get grant money to pay utility bills from community action, LIHEAP applications and other temporary help. Call them at (209) 883-8222 or 209-883-8300
Ukiah City Utilities has several emergency and long term utility assistance programs for struggling families. The Salvation Army R.E.A.C.H .program is a financial resource for qualified customers, including single moms or dads, the unemployed and those on CalWorks, It offers emergency energy and utility bill assistance. Free Discounts from CARES are available as well as other support such as conservation, home energy audits and more. Call (707) 463-6228.
West Coast Gas offers struggling families or single adults funds from the Emergency Charitable Assistance program. The company and local non-profit may provide charitable funds and grant money to help pay electric or gas bills. Any help is done so a last resort emergency, and the money is targeted at those customer with limited resources. LIEE is also offered. Call 916-364-4100
Additional programs in CA to help with utility bills
In addition to the providers listed below, note that if your utility or gas company is not listed below then you can click here for additional resources and services for electric bills that may be able to provide emergency help. There are also referrals from the California Service Department to relief programs. Call (916) 576-7109 for more information on resources offered by the government as well as local, community grant money to pay for power.
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