There are a number of ways to get assistance with your utility bills. There are also several workshops regarding utility rate increases, being held from January 12 - 25, 2012. See the Events Board for more information.

General resources

  • 2-1-1 Sacramento - Financial Help search page
  • Payment plan Your utility provider (e.g. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) or PG&E) will often be willing to set up a payment plan if you owe them more than you can pay. Call them to ask if you can set up a plan.
  • Community Resource Project Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (916) 567-5200 http://www.cresource.org/Programs A federally funded program that provides financial assistance to eligible, low-income families to offset the costs of heating and/or cooling. Assistance is in the form of a direct payment to a utility company. Eligibility is based on the household’s total monthly income.
  • California Lifeline Discount Telephone Program Qualified households could save 50 percent on their monthly basic phone bill, plus they do not pay certain monthly surcharges and fees. Contact the LifeLine Call Center for general information about the California LifeLine program. The call center can also help find telephone companies that offer California LifeLine and connect consumers to these California LifeLine approved telephone companies. Call Toll Free 1-866-272-0349 (English) or 1-866-272-0350 (Spanish). Website: http://www.californialifeline.com
    • INCOME GUIDELINES 1-2 people $24,000 annually 3 people $28,200 annually 4 people $34,000 annually Each additional person $ 5,800 annually
  • Homeowner and Renter Assistance (California Franchise Tax Board) Not Accepting Applications At This Time Provides partial rebate of property taxes (or portion of rent presumed to be paid for taxes). Filing period: Begins July 1 Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind Household Income: $44,096 or less For an application, call Toll Free 1-800-868-4171 Website: http://www.ftb.ca.gov
  • Property Tax Postponement (California State Controller) Program Is Currently Suspended Provides for postponement of property taxes until person moves, sells, dies, or changes title. Filing period: July 1- October 15 Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind Income: $37,119 maximum annually Call Toll Free 1-800-952-5661 Website: http://www.sco.ca.gov
  • Sacramento City Utility Users Rebate Program Filing period: January 1 – March 15 Eligibility: Sacramento City residents Income: less than $25,000 annually For an application, call 916-808-7736 Need proof of paid utility tax, proof of income, picture ID and copy of utility bill
  • The Greater Sacramento Urban League's "Supportive Services" program provides rental and utilities assistance

SMUD-only resources

SMUD Energy Assistance Program (866) 675-6624 http://www.smud.com/pay/eapr.html Qualifying low-income customers receive a discount of more than 30 percent off their monthly energy bill. Customers whose household income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level are now eligible. Apply online or by phone. Need help finding resource services? Call 2-1-1 Sacramento

SMUD Discount Programs Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR): Qualified customers that meet the income guidelines for EAPR will save more than 30 percent on their monthly electric bill. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free at 1-866-742- SMUD (7683). Website: http://www.smud.org

INCOME GUIDELINES 1 to 2 persons $31,300 annually/ $2,608 monthly 3 persons $36,800 annually/ $3,067 monthly 4 persons $44,400 annually/ $3,700 monthly 5 persons $52,000 annually/ $4,333 monthly 6 persons $59,600 annually/ $4,967 monthly Each additional person $ 7,600 annually/ $ 633 monthly

Medical Equipment Discount or MED Rate If you or a full-time resident of your household requires an electrically powered device for medical reasons, SMUD's MED RATE can save you more than 30 percent on your monthly electric bill. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free 1-888-742-7683. Website: http://www.smud.org

Budget Bill Customers with higher winter or summer bills can request to have their annual bills divided into 12 monthly payments. Call Toll Free 1-888-742-7683. Website: http://www.smud.org

EnergyHELP Donated funds are distributed to customers in need through four charities, The Salvation Army, Sacramento Food Bank Services, Travelers Aid and Folsom Cordova Community Partnership. Qualified recipients can receive assistance of up to $200 a year toward unpaid balances on their SMUD bill. [email protected] 1-866-675-6624 http://www.smud.org/en/pay/Pages/energyHELP.aspx

PG&E-only resources

PG&E Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) (800) 743-5000 http://www.pge.com Rate reduction program for households of three or more people with low- to middle-income. Income eligibility requirements may be found online or by calling PG&E. Qualifying customers may also receive free weatherization measures and energy-efficient appliances through the Energy Partners Program.

PG&E REACH Program (800) 743-5000 http://www.pge.com Program provides emergency energy assistance to low-income families within the PG&E service territory who are in jeopardy of losing their electricity services. Eligible applicants may receive an energy credit up to $200, based on the past due amount of the bill. Assistance available once every 18 months.

Pacific Gas and Electric Discount Programs CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) Rate for Low-Income: Program provides a 20% discount on your monthly gas and/or electric bill for qualifying households. You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free 1-866-743-2273. Website: http://www.pge.com/care

INCOME GUIDELINES 1 or 2 persons $31,300 annually 3 persons $36,800 annually 4 persons $44,400 annually 5 persons $52,000 annually 6 persons $59,600 annually Each additional person $ 7,600 annually

PG&E Medical Baseline Allowance for disabled persons with special heating/air-conditioning needs or medical equipment. Requires physician’s certificate of essential need. For an application call Toll Free 1-866-743-2273.

FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) Program provides savings on your electric bill for large households of three or more persons with low-to-middle income. The PG&E bill must be in your name. You must live at the address where the discount will be received. You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free 1-800-743-5000. Website: http://www.pge.com/fera

INCOME GUIDELINES 1 or 2 persons Not Eligible 3 persons $36,801 - $46,100 annually 4 persons $44,401 - $55,600 annually 5 persons $52,001 - $65,100 annually 6 persons $59,601 - $74,600 annually Each additional person $ 7,600 - $ 9,500 annually

Sacramento Sanitation District (sewage) programs

Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program (SLRAP) The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD) offers eligible low-income customers a discount on their sewer bills. Customers can save up to $100 per year on the Regional portion of their sewer bill. No need to reapply for five years. Call 916-875-5500 or go online to apply Website: http://www.sewerlifeline.com

INCOME GUIDELINES 1 to 2 persons $34,313 annually/$2,859 monthly 3 persons $40,275 annually/$3,356 monthly 4 persons $48,600 annually/$4,050 monthly 5 persons $56,925 annually/$4,744 monthly 6 persons $65,250 annually/$5,438 monthly Each additional person $ 8,325 annually/$694 monthly

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