Article 1: SDG&E OFFERS BILL DISCOUNT PROGRAMS TO HELP CUSTOMERS IN NEED
SDG&E Encourages its Customers Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic to find out if they qualify for Bill Savings of 30% or more and Other Available Assistance
With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families in the region, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is encouraging those in need to apply online for bill discount programs, which can save 30% or more off their utility bill. Many people who previously couldn’t take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they’re receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Provides a 30% or more discount on SDG&E bills. Qualification is based on participation in certain public assistance programs or household income as of today. Apply at sdge.com/CARE.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): If a customer doesn’t qualify for CARE, they may qualify for FERA, which provides income-qualified households of three or more with a reduced electric rate (18% discount) on their monthly bill. Learn more at sdge.com/FERA.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federally funded program that helps low-income households with their energy bills. Find details on sdge.com/LIHEAP.
SDG&E urges customers who are struggling to pay their utility bill to call its Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343 to learn about flexible payment options. Visit sdge.com/coronavirus for updates on the coronavirus pandemic and how SDG&E is helping, and learn more about SDG&E’s assistance programs at sdge.com/assistance.
Article 2: CALIFORNIA LIFELINE PROGRAM DISCOUNTS PHONE SERVICES
The California LifeLine Program is a state program that provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households. These discounts can help you lower the cost of your phone bill. Only one discount per household is allowed (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants). Each household must choose to get the discount either on a home phone or on a cell phone, but not on both. To learn more, visit Californialifeline.com or cpuc.ca.gov. You can also call 1-866-272-0349 (English) or 1-866-272-0350 (Spanish).
Federal Assistance is available too. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers help with utility bill payment, home weatherization and other assistance. Learn more at 211sandiego.org.
Article 2: EL PROGRAMA CALIFORNIA LIFELINE DESCUENTA SERVICIOS DE Teléfono
El Programa California LifeLine es un programa estatal que proporciona servicios con descuento para teléfonos residenciales y teléfonos celulares a hogares elegibles. Estos descuentos pueden ayudarle a reducir el costo de su factura de teléfono. Sin embargo, solo se permite un descuento por hogar (excepto para usuarios de teletipo y para participantes del Programa de Telecomunicaciones para Personas Sordas y Discapacitadas). Cada hogar debe elegir obtener el descuento ya sea en un teléfono residencial o en un teléfono celular, pero no en ambos. Para obtener más información, visite Californialifeline.com o cpuc.ca.gov. También puede llamar al 1-866-272-0349 (Inglés) o al 1-866-272-0350 (Español).
Asistencia Federal también está disponible. El Programa de Asistencia a Hogares de Escasos Recursos para Gastos de Energía (LIHEAP, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece ayuda para pagar la factura de servicios públicos, la climatización del hogar y otra asistencia. Obtenga más información en 211sandiego.org.
Article 3: LOWER YOUR HOME ENERGY USE AND COSTS
The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted families across the world and has resulted in more families staying at home due to California’s shelter-in-place order. However, more time at home doesn’t mean you have to see high energy bills. SDG&E is committed to helping their customers reduce energy bills during this challenging time. They have a webpage filled with tips, tools and programs that can help you reduce your energy use while at home. What’s more, you can also join 800,000 customers on the Time-of-Use pricing plan and say goodbye to high usage charges. For energy-saving tips, visit sdge.com/whenmatters-save and to learn more about pricing plans, visit sdge.com/whenmatters.
Article 3: REDUZCA EL USO Y LOS COSTOS DE ENERGÍA DE SU HOGAR
La pandemia COVID-19 ha impactado a familias en todo el mundo y ha dado lugar a que más familias se queden en su hogar debido al mandato de quedarse en casa en California. Sin embargo, más tiempo en casa no significa que usted tiene que ver facturas de energía más altas. SDG&E se compromete a ayudar a sus clientes a reducir las facturas de energía durante este tiempo difícil. Tienen una página web llena de consejos, herramientas y programas que pueden ayudarle a reducir su consumo de energía mientras está en su hogar. Además, también puede unirse a 800.000 clientes en planes tarifarios según el Horario de Uso y decir adiós a cargos por consumo elevado. Para obtener más información sobre los planes tarifarios, visite sdge.com/lahoraimporta.
Article 4: STATE-MANDATED HIGH USAGE CHARGE REDUCED FOR CUSTOMERS
Another bill relief option as summer approaches
The state-mandated High Usage Charge will be temporarily reduced by 30% this summer, providing bill relief to some SDG&E residential customers.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) gave SDG&E permission to reduce the High Usage Charge, a higher price for electricity that kicks in for customers once their energy use exceeds a certain threshold. The reduction is meant to provide bill relief to residential customers for the duration of Governor Newsom’s stay-at-home order. The reduced High Usage Charge will take effect on June 1 and extend to Oct. 31. If the stay-at-home order remains in place beyond Oct. 31, the reduction will be extended.
The High Usage Charge decrease will produce noticeable savings for those who use more than 1,000 kWh of energy per month. This change applies only to customers who are on the traditional tiered pricing plans. Customers on Time-of-Use pricing plans are not subject to the High Usage Charge but can still save money by shifting energy use outside of the peak hours of 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. For example, running clothes washers and dryers before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. can help reduce energy bills.
Download SDG&E’s new mobile app to help keep track of your energy use and bill. To learn more about your pricing plan options, visit sdge.com/MyAccount.