Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) has revealed an expansion of the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program, aimed at providing financial relief to a larger number of households. Now, over 150,000 additional customers can benefit from an 18% discount on their electric rates. The updated criteria now allow eligibility for households with one or two members, based on specific income levels, which was a change from the previous stipulation that required three or more household members.
Households with one or two members and an annual income of up to $52,875 can now apply for assistance. In the previous year, more than 39,000 customers who participated in the FERA program received discounts totaling over $21 million, averaging savings of more than $45 each month. Vincent Davis, PG&E’s senior vice president of customer experience, stressed the significance of this expansion, encouraging eligible customers to apply and to share information about the program within their communities.
This change in eligibility follows the enactment of Senate Bill 1130 in 2024, which eliminated the previous household size requirement and requires utilities to regularly report their enrollment efforts to the California Public Utilities Commission.
In addition to the FERA program, PG&E provides a range of income-eligible assistance programs, including:
– California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), which offers a discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity bills, with income limits lower than those for FERA.
– Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help, which grants a one-time bill credit of up to $300 to eligible customers with overdue balances.
– Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded initiative aimed at helping low-income households with past-due heating or cooling costs, providing a one-time payment up to $1,500.
– Energy Savings Assistance Program, which offers energy-saving improvements at no cost.
– Arrearage Management Plan, designed to forgive debt for eligible residential customers.
– Medical Baseline, providing a billing discount for customers who require power for medical equipment.
Customers can also take proactive steps to reduce their electricity bills through do-it-yourself energy efficiency improvements, potentially saving hundreds of dollars each year. To make the most of available resources, customers are encouraged to look into the best rate plans, utilize savings tools, enroll in budget billing programs, and visit pge.com/billhelp for more information. For further details about the FERA program, customers can reach out via phone at 1-877-660-6789 or email [email protected].
This expansion is a positive development that aims to alleviate financial pressures for many households, ensuring that more families can access the support they need.