Utility bill assistance programs in California
California households that are behind on an electric, gas, or water bill have more places to turn than in almost any other state. This guide explains the statewide programs first, then lists what each utility company in California offers, with the official phone number and website for each one. Grants are only part of the picture, since every company also offers payment plans, budget billing, and extra time to pay before a shut off.
Government programs such as CARE and FERA discounts, federal LIHEAP grants, free weatherization, and the Arrearage Management Plan may lower bills or forgive past-due debt for households that qualify. Customers with a serious medical condition can ask about Medical Baseline programs, which may lower the rate charged for power that runs life-support or other health equipment.
On top of that, nearly every utility in the state runs its own hardship fund, including REACH at PG&E, the Energy Assistance Fund at Southern California Edison, the Gas Assistance Fund at SoCalGas, and Neighbor-to-Neighbor at San Diego Gas & Electric. This page covers all the programs.
Statewide government programs for California utility bills
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) (website: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/electric-costs/care-fera-program) is a monthly discount on gas and electric bills for households that qualify, generally those at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. The CPUC currently sets the discount at 30 to 35 percent on electricity at the large power companies and about 20 percent on natural gas. Every regulated utility in the state offers CARE, and many city-owned utilities run their own version, so ask your provider for an application even if a discount is not mentioned in its listing on this page.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) helps households of three or more people whose income is slightly above the CARE limit. FERA currently takes 18 percent off electric bills and is offered by PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
The Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) is a debt forgiveness program at PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E for customers enrolled in CARE or FERA. Customers who keep up with each new monthly bill may have a portion of their old past-due balance forgiven after every on-time payment, with the full eligible debt forgiven after twelve months. Call your utility and ask to enroll in AMP if you are carrying old debt, as this program is one of the most valuable in the state.
The California Public Utilities Commission regulates the state’s investor‑owned utilities and formally administers the major income‑qualified energy assistance programs, including those covered above. CPUC sets the rules, funding levels, enrollment targets, and oversight requirements for CARE, FERA, and the Energy Savings Assistance program. Utilities such as PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas implement the programs, but CPUC determines the discount levels, eligibility rules, and compliance standards. The main page at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/ covers various programs offered and how they can help.
LIHEAP from the federal government may pay part of a past-due energy bill once per year for income-qualified households, and the same agencies offer free weatherization. The program is run by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) through local nonprofits. Call the state LIHEAP line at 1-866-675-6623 or use the provider search at https://www.csd.ca.gov, and the NHPB guide to California LIHEAP and weatherization has more details on how the grants work.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) provides free energy efficiency work, such as insulation, appliance repair or replacement, and weatherstripping, to income-qualified customers of the regulated utilities. There is no cost to the household, whether you rent or own.
Medical Baseline programs give customers who rely on powered medical equipment a larger amount of energy at the lowest rate, and enrollment can also add protection before a disconnection. Every regulated utility offers it, and most city utilities run a similar medical discount.
Disconnection protections in California limit when and how a utility can shut off service, with extra rules during extreme heat and for medical hardship. The NHPB guide to California utility disconnection laws explains those rights. For water bills, the state requires shut-off protections and many providers offer payment plans or discounts, which the NHPB guide to California water bill assistance covers in detail.
The California Climate Credit appears automatically on the bills of regulated utility customers twice a year, usually in spring and fall, and requires no application.
PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E assistance programs
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) runs the REACH program, which may provide a credit toward the past-due portion of a bill for income-qualified customers who have received a disconnection notice. REACH is administered by the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund and its partner agencies across Northern and Central California, and applications go through Dollar Energy Fund at 1-888-282-6816 or https://www.dollarenergy.org.
PG&E's Match My Payment program may match payments a customer makes toward a past-due balance, dollar for dollar, for households up to 400% of federal poverty guidelines. The company also offers CARE, FERA, AMP debt forgiveness, Medical Baseline, payment arrangements, and budget billing. Call (877) 660-6789 or visit https://www.pge.com, and the NHPB guide to Pacific Gas and Electric assistance has more on each program.
Southern California Edison (SCE) operates the Energy Assistance Fund, a charitable program run with United Way of Greater Los Angeles that may make a one-time payment toward the electric bill of a qualified household. Applications go through United Way partner agencies rather than SCE directly. SCE also offers CARE, FERA, AMP debt forgiveness, Medical Baseline, payment extensions, and its Energy Savings Assistance efficiency program. Call (800) 655-4555 or visit https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance, and the NHPB guide to Southern California Edison assistance covers the details.
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) runs the Gas Assistance Fund with United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which may provide a one-time grant toward a natural gas bill during the winter application season, as funding allows. Applications go through United Way partner nonprofits across the service area. SoCalGas also offers CARE, AMP debt forgiveness for gas debt, Medical Baseline, free ESA weatherization, and installment plans. Call 1-800-427-2200 or visit https://www.socalgas.com/billing-payment/assistance-programs, and the NHPB guide to Southern California Gas assistance has more information.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) offers the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, which may credit a past-due balance for customers in a temporary hardship who have received a final disconnection notice and do not qualify for other state or federal aid. Funds are limited and first come, first served. SDG&E also runs CARE, FERA, AMP debt forgiveness, Medical Baseline, and payment arrangements, and LIHEAP in its territory is handled by Campesinos Unidos and MAAC. Call 1-800-411-7343 or visit https://www.sdge.com, and the NHPB guide to San Diego Gas and Electric assistance explains each option.
Los Angeles and Sacramento public utilities
LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) offers the EZ-SAVE program, a monthly discount on water and power bills for income-qualified households, with a simple application and no upfront proof of income. Seniors 62 and older and customers with a permanent disability may qualify for the larger Lifeline discount, which also removes certain city taxes from the bill. LADWP also offers a Level Pay plan, payment arrangements, medical equipment discounts, and LIHEAP referrals. Call 1-800-342-5397 or visit https://www.ladwp.com/residential-services/assistance-programs.
SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) provides the Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR), a monthly discount for income-qualified households, along with a medical equipment discount and payment arrangements. The donation-funded EnergyHELP program pays past-due bills for selected eligible customers through charity partners such as the Sacramento Food Bank and the Salvation Army. Sacramento County residents can also apply for HEAP grants through the Community Resource Project at 1-916-567-5200. Call SMUD at 1-888-742-7683 or visit https://www.smud.org, and the NHPB guide to Sacramento Municipal Utility District programs has more.
Other electric and gas companies in California
Alameda Municipal Power (formerly Alameda Power & Telecom) offers a 25 percent Energy Assistance Program discount, the Project EASE emergency fund for customers facing a shut off, a medical discount, and balanced payment plans. LIHEAP for Alameda customers runs through Spectrum Community Services at (510) 881-0300. Call (510) 748-3900 or visit https://alamedamp.com.
Alpine Natural Gas serves Calaveras County and offers the CARE gas discount, payment arrangements, and help applying for LIHEAP grants. Call (209) 772-3006 or visit https://www.alpinenaturalgas.com.
Anaheim Public Utilities runs an Emergency Assistance Program that may credit the electric and water bill of a household in a temporary hardship, available once every three years. A Utility Discount Program serves income-qualified seniors, veterans, and customers with a long-term disability, and the utility also offers a community solar discount, weatherization, Level Pay, and a Medical Lifeline rate. LIHEAP is handled by the Community Action Partnership of Orange County at (714) 839-6199. Call (714) 765-4250 or visit https://www.anaheim.net, and the NHPB guide to Anaheim Utilities assistance has more.
Azusa Light & Water offers an Electric Assistance Program that may provide a one-time annual credit toward the electric portion of the bill for income-qualified customers, plus payment arrangements. Call (626) 812-5225 or visit https://www.azusaca.gov.
Banning Electric customers can ask the city about its income-qualified electric rate assistance as well as payment extensions before a disconnection. Call (951) 922-3185 or visit https://www.banningca.gov.
Bear Valley Electric Service in Big Bear Lake offers the CARE discount and a CARE Plus option, along with payment arrangements and referrals to HEAP grants. Call 1-800-808-2837 or visit https://www.bvesinc.com.
Burbank Water and Power runs Project Share, a donation-funded program that may credit an income-qualified customer's bill once per calendar year, with applications handled by Home Again LA. The Lifeline program removes the customer service charge and utility tax and reduces the electric rate for qualified households, and the newer BUSS program gives an ongoing electric discount to income-qualified residents. Call (818) 238-3700 or visit https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com.
Colton Electric Utility offers a medical baseline discount, payment plans, and help for customers with a shut-off notice, and residents can ask about current income-qualified credits. Call (909) 370-5040 or visit https://www.coltonca.gov.
Glendale Water & Power offers the Glendale Care monthly discount for low-income customers, the Helping Hand fund that may make a one-time payment toward a bill or deposit during a documented emergency, the Guardian medical equipment discount, and a utility tax exemption for qualifying seniors and disabled residents. Call (818) 548-3300 or visit https://www.glendaleca.gov.
City of Healdsburg runs its own CARE program, a monthly electric discount of roughly 25 percent for income-qualified households, alongside payment plans. Call (707) 431-3307 or visit https://www.healdsburg.gov. For grant money toward a past-due bill, Healdsburg customers apply to LIHEAP through the state line at 1-866-675-6623.
Imperial Irrigation District (IID) rebranded its assistance lineup in 2025. READY (Residential Energy Assistance Designed for You) provides monthly discounts for income-qualified customers, with a larger discount for seniors, and CARE (Customer Assistance for Residential Emergencies) may help customers facing disconnection. IID also offers a medical equipment discount, the SHIELD and EASE programs, and budget billing. Call 1-800-303-7756 or visit https://www.iid.com.
Lassen Municipal Utility District offers payment plans and asks income-qualified customers to inquire about its current rate assistance and conservation programs. Call (530) 257-4174 or visit https://www.lmud.org.
Liberty Utilities serves the Lake Tahoe area with electricity and offers the CARE discount, payment arrangements, and medical protections. Call 1-800-782-2506 or visit https://www.libertyutilities.com.
Lodi Electric Utility provides a substantial monthly discount for income-qualified households through its SHARE rate program, along with a medical discount and payment arrangements. Call (209) 333-6717 or visit https://www.lodi.gov.
City of Lompoc offers the Electric Rate Assistance program, a monthly credit on the electric bill for households at or below 80 percent of area median income, with mobile home residents also eligible. Call (805) 875-8252 or visit https://www.cityoflompoc.com.
Long Beach Utilities (the merged city gas and water department) offers a 20 percent Low Income Gas Discount, a senior and disability discount program, and flexible payment plans that can stretch a past-due balance over as long as 36 months. Call (562) 570-5700 or visit https://www.longbeach.gov/utilityservices.
Modesto Irrigation District offers the MID CARES program, a monthly discount on electricity for income-qualified customers, plus payment arrangements on electric and water accounts. Call 1-866-645-6625 or visit https://www.mid.org.
Pacific Power serves far Northern California and partners with the Salvation Army on Project HELP, a donation-funded program that may pay part of a past-due bill for a household in hardship. The company also offers a 25 percent CARE discount, payment plans, and extensions. Call 1-888-221-7070 or visit https://www.pacificpower.net, and the NHPB guide to Pacific Power assistance has more.
City of Palo Alto Utilities offers the Rate Assistance Program, a discount of up to 25 percent for customers with a financial or medical need, and Project PLEDGE, a donation-funded credit toward a past-due balance during an unexpected hardship. Income-qualified customers may also receive free efficiency upgrades through the REAP program. Call (650) 329-2161 or visit https://www.paloalto.gov
Pasadena Water and Power offers a monthly Electric Utility Assistance Program credit for income-qualified residents, the Pasadena Cares and Cares Plus discounts for seniors and disabled customers, and Project APPLE, which may provide a one-time credit during a sudden financial emergency. A medical discount serves households running life-support equipment. Call (626) 744-4005 or visit https://www.pwpweb.com, and the NHPB guide to Pasadena Water and Power assistance covers the details.
Redding Electric Utility offers the Lifeline Plus discount for very low income households, emergency bill assistance as funding allows, and free efficiency upgrades. Call (530) 339-7200, the Lifeline line at (530) 225-4578, or visit https://www.reupower.com, and the NHPB guide to Redding Electric help has more.
Riverside Public Utilities runs the SHARE program, which may provide monthly credits on electric, water, and trash charges plus deposit help for income-qualified residents, administered by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County at (951) 955-4900. RPU also offers the UtiliCare medical rate and free efficiency work through its Energy Savings Assistance Program. Call (951) 782-0330 or visit https://www.riversideca.gov/utilities, and the NHPB guide to Riverside Public Utilities assistance explains each program.
Roseville Electric offers the Electric Rate Assistance Program, a monthly discount for income-qualified households, and a larger Medical Electric Rate Assistance discount for customers who rely on medical equipment. Budget billing and payment arrangements are available to everyone. Call (916) 774-5300 or visit https://www.roseville.ca.us/assistance.
City of Shasta Lake partners with the Salvation Army in Redding on emergency bill help, and offers payment plans and a lifeline-style discount for qualifying customers. Call the utility at (530) 275-7400, the Salvation Army at (530) 222-2207, or visit https://www.cityofshastalake.org.
Silicon Valley Power in Santa Clara offers a Financial Rate Assistance Program with tiered discounts for income-qualified households, administered by Central Coast Energy Services at 1-888-399-2728, and a separate Medical Rate Assistance discount with no usage cap. Call (408) 615-2300 or visit https://www.siliconvalleypower.com.
Southwest Gas offers the Energy Share emergency fund, which may pay part of a gas bill for a customer in an unexpected hardship, with applications through local nonprofit agencies. The company also runs CARE, the Medical Baseline Allowance, free ESA efficiency work, and installment plans. Call (877) 860-6020 or visit https://www.swgas.com, and the NHPB guide to Southwest Gas California assistance has more.
Surprise Valley Electric is the cooperative serving Modoc County and parts of far Northeastern California, and struggling members can ask about payment arrangements and any current emergency assistance. Call (530) 233-3511 or visit https://www.surprisevalleyelectric.org.
Trinity Public Utilities District offers the Energy Net discount, a monthly reduction for households at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines, with applications handled by Trinity County Health and Human Services. Spots are limited and recipients reapply every six months. Call (530) 623-5536 or visit https://www.trinitypud.com.
Truckee Donner Public Utility District offers payment arrangements and conservation help such as weatherization measures, and income-qualified customers can ask about current bill assistance. Call (530) 587-3896 or visit https://www.tdpud.org.
Turlock Irrigation District offers the TID CARES program, a monthly discount for income-qualified customers, and a Medical Rate Program for households with qualifying equipment. The Salvation Army in Turlock at (209) 669-5366 handles LIHEAP grants and its own energy assistance fund for TID customers. Call (209) 883-8222 or visit https://www.tid.org.
City of Ukiah electric customers apply for the city's bill assistance programs through the Salvation Army at (707) 510-1103, and North Coast Energy Services at (707) 463-0303 offers once-per-year utility help to low income households. The city also runs a Medical Baseline allowance for life-support equipment. Visit https://www.cityofukiah.com.
West Coast Gas serves communities in the Sacramento area and offers the CARE discount, payment arrangements, and referrals to charitable bill help as a last resort. Call (916) 364-4100 or visit https://www.westcoastgas.com.
Moderated community forum
Some people like more one on one, community forum type experiences. If that is you, see what other people in California are doing about their utility bills. Post your own needs, ask for suggestions and more - everything on the forum is reviewed, screened and moderated. See the forum on California utility help.
If your California utility company is not listed
Customers of a provider not covered on this page can still apply for LIHEAP through the state line at 1-866-675-6623, and the California Department of Community Services and Development at https://www.csd.ca.gov can point to the agency serving your county. The NHPB guide to California community action agencies covers local nonprofits that may pay part of a utility bill as funding allows. As a final fallback, dialing 211 connects callers to whatever emergency utility help is currently funded in their county.
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