Utilities Assistance Programs California. For Federal Fiscal Year 2026, California has received $212 milli
For Federal Fiscal Year 2026, California has received $212 million in annual LIHEAP funding under the federal budget continuing resolution. Estimated decrease in electric rates (2028–2033) Federal Funding Status California continues to receive federal funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) energy bill and weatherization assistance. LIHEAP The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is an additional utility assistance program administered by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County. Please see the programs below to find out how to enroll in income qualified programs or get assistance paying your utility bill. To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority. Find financial assistance for utilities and other forms of relief. This block grant is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and provides utility payment assistance and weatherization services to eligible low-income customers in Riverside County, including Explore current funding opportunity announcements, requests for information, and notices of intent from CMEI. 4 billion to support upwards of 2. Dec 12, 2024 · Help with utility bills Get year-round help with utility bills by contacting your local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office or calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866)-674-6327. This includes emergency, urgent, or medically necessary care, as well as pharmacy services and products received from Kaiser Permanente providers or facilities. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Low-income customers enrolled in the CARE program receive: • 30–35% discount on their electric bill • 20% discount on their natural gas bill To request an application form or for more information, please contact your utility company or visit their websites. Through June 2024, HAF-funded programs have assisted over 549,000 homeowners, helping to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, losses of utilities and home energy services, and displacement. LIHEAP provides weatherization services and cash to help low-income customers pay their bills. State of California Eligibility for services may vary depending on sources of income and other factors. To qualify through other public assistance programs: You or someone in your household must take part in any of the following public assistance programs: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps) CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only) California continues to receive federal funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) energy bill and weatherization assistance. To manage this, we follow a STATE required local plan that helps us serve households with the greatest need. In a joint effort with United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Southern California Edison and the SoCalGas company offer bill grants to eligible customers. Individuals claiming to represent the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or posing as representatives from utility companies are contacting people by telephone, email, social media, and text message to defraud people out of their money and personal information. com - California's Online LIHEAP Application Need help paying your energy bill? Low-income Californians can apply for heating and cooling assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Some gas and electric utilities offer cash assistance and special payment plans to consumers facing financial hardship. This plan considers not only income, but also considers factors such as high energy costs, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and young Existing law establishes various food assistance programs, including, among others, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Bill Assistance Through the Energy Assistance Fund Southern California Edison is committed to helping our customers whenever possible. The program provides heating and cooling assistance to roughly 6. . Learn how to reduce your utility bill. Reduce cost for your electrical, gas, telecommunication, or water utility bill. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. CARE: Qualifying households receive 32. Paying My Energy Bills Get to Know LIHEAP LIHEAP stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Jun 11, 2024 · We offer several assistance programs that can help you save money on your natural gas bill, such as California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), Energy Savings Assistance Program and more. Download program information Energy Education and Resource Guide Review the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) guide and other resources for customers who are in the Energy Savings Assistance Program. 5. This block grant is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and provides utility payment assistance and weatherization services to eligible low-income customers in Riverside County, including Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) Families whose income slightly exceeds CARE limits may qualify for FERA, which applies an 18% discount on electricity bills. Please contact your local energy agency to determine your eligibility. Our California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) financial assistance programs help qualifying families of all sizes lower their monthly energy bills when they need it most. NOTE: the rules for whether an AIAN tribal member receives benefits from their tribe or from their local intake office varies by state and by tribe. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)is available statewide. CALIHEAPApply. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) - Provides a 30-35% 1 discount on your electric bill and 20% on your gas bill. May 22, 2025 · Through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program eligible customers receive a 20 percent discount on electric and natural gas bills. Our Medical Financial Assistance program provides temporary financial assistance to help qualified patients pay for health care based on their financial need. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible income-qualified households to manage and meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs. 7 million households. 5% off their electric bills. Jul 9, 2025 · 4. If you’re currently receiving public assistance, or you’ve recently lost your job, you may qualify for this discount. Jul 9, 2025 · What are Utility Assistance Programs in California? Utility Assistance Programs in California are initiatives aimed at providing financial aid and support to low-income individuals and families who struggle to afford essential utility services such as electricity, water, and gas. What it does is it provides customers across the state with a discount on natural gas and electric bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides one-time financial assistance to help balance an eligible household's utility bill. The Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program offers income-qualified homeowners and renters the opportunity to receive energy-saving home improvements, such as a heat pump water heater replacement, or energy-efficient appliances, such as a new refrigerator, clothes washer, or dishwasher replacement, and more. California Alternate Rates for Energy program offers a 30-35% discount on your electric bill and a 20% discount on your natural gas bill. Jul 8, 2024 · Our California Alternate Rates for Energy program (CARE program) can help you save 20% on your monthly natural gas bill. Jul 13, 2024 · The Energy Savings Assistance Program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SoCalGas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. For the CARE Program, electrical companies with 100,000 or more customer accounts in California offer a 30% - 35% discount as required by Public Utilities Code Section 739. The Public Housing Authority will use this information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment. Energy Savings Assistance Multifamily Energy Savings (MFES) Program To qualify for the multifamily program, the property can be either deed-restricted or non-deed restricted. During the application process, a Public Housing Authority will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. All training is offered as distance learning, using correspondence, video, or computer-based formats with opportunities to earn continuing education and contact hours for operators, supervisors, managers, and Enroll in the Arrearage Management Plan to receive assistance in paying off past-due SCE energy bills through structured debt forgiveness. Looking to reduce your monthly bill? Explore SCE’s assistance programs for bill discounts, payment plans and financial support. The California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) offered financial assistance for California energy utility customers to help reduce past due energy bill balances accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E ®), and Southern California Edison Company (SCE) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Find local electrical bill assistance programs to help you pay for your utilities. org to get the phone number for your local SHIP and get free, personalized health insurance counseling. This assistance program is offered by all utility companies across California. We also offer programs and publications for pretreatment facility inspectors, environmental compliance inspectors, and utility managers. We list area resources in California. The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides assistance to low-income households that are in a crisis situation. IMPORTANT PROGRAM NOTICE Due to reduced government funding and high demand, we’re accepting fewer Utility Assistance applications at this time. If you need help paying your energy bill, the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) provides Federal low-income home energy assistance, energy crisis intervention, and low-income weatherization programs. 1. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service purchased from participating providers in the marketplace. Learn who's eligible and how this benefit works. Attend local workshops, events, or information sessions hosted by government agencies or non-profit organizations that focus on utility assistance programs in California. The following federal programs provide grants to states, territories, and tribes who fund local organizations to provide help for low-income families in need of assistance with utility costs, housing or emergency services. Jul 26, 2024 · In addition to our energy assistance programs, you may qualify for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Rental housing counseling Housing counselors can help you find resources in your area and make a plan. For deed restricted properties, the owner must certify that at least 65% of the tenant households meet the ESA income guidelines. State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Visit shiphelp. Some customers fell behind on their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist, the State of California created two relief programs. Find out how to contact your utility company, check tariffs and rates, and get free appliances and rebates. FERA is available to customers of: • Southern California Edison (SCE) • San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Call your electric utility if your family qualifies. It may be able to help you pay yo ur energy bill. Nov 12, 2025 · A Medicare grocery allowance can help older adults maintain a healthy diet and save money. The fund provides an opportunity for qualified households to receive up to a $200 payment (or up to Jan 6, 2021 · Financial assistance can include the payment of rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and certain other expenses related to housing. CARE Program Overview The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program can provide you with a discount on your monthly energy bill (electricity and gas). 2 million struggling households during the pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that another $1. CARE income guidelines and applications are available on the utility's website. The Feeding America network of food banks and meal programs can help you find food and financial assistance. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can give you help paying energy bills. Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. 4 billion is set to go out before the end of the year to cover overdue utility bills. The request covers administrative and program costs for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) programs, as well as costs for the Concurrent Application System. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. It is only available for lower income families, senior citizens with a fixed income and certain t Learn how to fix billing mistakes, lower your utility bills, and apply for discounted rates. Learn more about the energy bill discount. Aug 8, 2022 · Funds from HAF may be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, utility payments, and other specified purposes. For cash assistance and benefits for low-income individuals review our programs below. Reach out to the California Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which offers financial assistance to low-income households to help with energy bills. PG&E's REACH program provides financial assistance with your energy bill and other relief. Get help paying my PG&E bill. It is an exceptionally efficient and targeted program, with state block grants flowing to local agencies with specific clients on a short-term basis to prevent utility shutoffs or assistance with heating and cooling bills. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Receive assistive telecommunication equipment. FERA Oct 4, 2022 · SACRAMENTO – With new figures showing that California’s nation-leading utility assistance programs distributed $1. Working together with the United Way, we offer financial relief through the Energy Assistance Fund (EAF) to customers struggling to pay their electricity bills. LIHEAP is a federally funded energy assistance program that may help you pay your utility bill if you're income-qualified. 3 days ago · LIEAP provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs, whether the home is heated with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home heating fuels. Jan 12, 2026 · GSA establishes the maximum CONUS (Continental United States) Per Diem rates for federal travel customers. Nov 20, 2025 · To find out if you are eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits and for assistance applying, contact your tribal LIHEAP office and local LIHEAP office.