Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

CARE Program (PG&E)
http://www.pge.com/care/
This program provides a monthly discount (typically 20%) on energy bills for income-qualified households and housing facilities. Qualifications are based on the number of persons living in the home and total annual household income.

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (PG & E)
http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/fera/index.page
The FERA program provides a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified households of three or more persons.

Medical Baseline Energy Allowance (PG & E)
http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/medicalbaseline/index.page
This is separate program of PG&E for households in which an ill member or someone with a chronic health condition will benefit from the more consistent use of heat and/or energy to maintain operation of medical equipment. A physician needs to sign the form stating why the patient would benefit. Renewals via physician verification are annual for the first two years. After that, only a signature of customer and return renewal form are necessary. The savings are considerable. This program can be used in addition to CARE.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
http://spectrumcs.org/newspectrum/services/heap.htm
This is a federally-funded program which provides a one-time payment for energy bill amount per year through Spectrum Community Services. Each county has its own program parameters. In Alameda County, the household must have received a 48 hour shut off notice.

Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH)
http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/reach/index.page?
This assistance is for those who cannot cover a PG&E bill due to sudden unexpected financial hardship. This is a one-time payment (permitted once each 18 months) through Salvation Army and donations from utility’s shareholders, employees and customers.