More Low-Income SDG&E Customers Eligible For Bill-Assistance Programs

Increased Income Guidelines Expand Eligibility

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Jun 02, 2014, 03:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers are now eligible to save every month on their bill and receive energy efficient home improvements due to new income guidelines that went into effect today. Households of two with a yearly income of $31,460 or less can now enroll in the money-saving, state sponsored customer assistance programs California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

"Our goal is to help enroll as many eligible customers in our assistance programs as possible, so that they can benefit from the savings on their energy bill," said Caroline Winn, vice president of customer services for SDG&E.

Customers who qualify for the CARE program will receive a monthly discount on their SDG&E bill. Eligible customers can qualify based on their total household's income or participation in certain public assistance programs such as WIC or Supplemental Security Income. Nearly 300,000 residents within SDG&E's service territory are participating in the CARE Program, and an estimated 80,000 more are eligible.

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides free home improvements and appliances that can make homes more comfortable and energy-efficient. This year the program aims to provide home improvements to over 20,000 households; improvements such as weather stripping, attic insulation, minor home repairs and replacement of appliances.

As of June 1, the new CARE and Energy Savings Assistance Program income guidelines are as follows:

Number of People Per Household	Income Guidelines Effective June 1, 2014	Previous Income Guidelines
1-2	$31,460	$22,980* Note: In 2014, the number of people per household changed to lump 1-2 together.*
3	$39,580	$39,060
4	$47,700	$47,100
5	$55,820	$55,140
6	$63,940	$63,180
7	$72,060	$71,220
8	$80,180	$79,260
Add $8,120 for each additional household member

The income guidelines above will be in effect from June 1, 2014–May 31, 2015. For customers who are recently unemployed, household income is calculated from the date of unemployment.

Customers can easily apply for the programs any of the following ways:

Call 2-1-1 and ask about the CARE or Energy Savings Assistance Program;
Call the Energy Savings Assistance Program toll-free enrollment line at 866-597-0597;
Log on to sdge.com/assistance;
Look inside your July SDG&E bill for more information about CARE.

In addition to the CARE Program and Energy Savings Assistance Program, SDG&E also offers a variety of other assistance programs, such as reduced energy costs for customers with certain medical conditions/equipment and payment extensions for those who need extra help:

Medical Baseline: Provides additional baseline allowance (electricity and gas at the lowest rate) for customers who have medical conditions/equipment that impact their bill;
Neighbor-to-Neighbor: This fund provides a grant to help customers pay their gas and electric bills;
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): Provides lower electricity rates for large households of three or more persons;
Level Payment Plan: Allows for monthly payments to be spread equally throughout the year.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 861,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.

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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)