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UPDATE: The following COVID-19 emergency protection is extended through September 30, 2021: Moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment for residential and small, medium, and large business customers.
You have a wide variety of options
Are you among the many Californians who are struggling in these difficult times? As your local service provider and neighbor, we are here to help. These financial assistance programs offer solutions for paying past-due energy bills now, and additional support programs that provide guidance on reducing household expenses in the future.
You may qualify for several programs at once and you can begin applying or enrolling now.
Housing is Key: CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Act
Get help paying for rent and utilities.
- Get help with both past-due and future payments
- You must be income-eligible to qualify
- Tenants and landlords can apply
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Get up to $1,000 to pay eligible household energy costs.
- Make a one-time payment on your past-due energy bill, even if you use wood, propane, or oil
- Get assistance in an emergency, such as a potential disconnection
- Continue to get help as long as you are past due and income-qualified
Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) Program
Get an energy credit up to $300.
- Get one-time financial assistance with past-due bills
- Customers qualify once during a twelve month period, you must qualify each time
- Helps keep your utility turned on during times of hardship
Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)
Get up to $8,000 in unpaid balance forgiven, if you:
- Are enrolled in the PG&E CARE or FERA program
- Owe at least $500 on your gas and electric bill, or at least $250 if a gas-only customer
- Are a PG&E customer with bills past due more than 90 days
- APPLY BY CALLING 1-800-743-5000
Payment Arrangement Plans
Use flexible payment plans to get you back on track. Two options:
- Spread your current balance out, up to 12 months
OR
- Choose an extension that allows you to pay the entire balance later
- Open to all residential customers
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program
Save 20% or more on your monthly gas and electric bill.
- Get an ongoing monthly discount
- You may already be qualified if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
Save 18% on your monthly electric bill.
- Get an ongoing monthly discount
- Your household must have three or more people to qualify
Energy Savings Assistance Program
You may reduce your energy bills by improving the energy-efficiency of your home for free.
- Get no-cost energy efficient home upgrades
- Renters and owners are eligible
- You are already qualified if you are enrolled in CARE
Medical Baseline program
Get an ongoing monthly discount if you have qualifying medical conditions or devices.
- You qualify if you are a residential customer who has critical energy needs due to a medical condition
- You will also receive extra notifications in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff
California Lifeline program
Get a monthly discount on your phone service.
- Also get a $39 discount on phone connection fees
- You must be income-eligible to qualify, or be enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program
Low-Cost home internet options
- Get connected with new discounts to home Internet
- Internet providers offering plans for as low as $9.95 per month
- Many plans require no deposit, commitment, or installation fee
- Most low-income households qualify
Budget Billing program
Average out your energy costs for more manageable monthly payments.
- Eliminate big spikes in bill due to seasonal changes
- Enroll in Budget Billing today and keep your monthly payments predictable
PG&E COVID Relief Payment Plan
Qualified PG&E customers will be automatically enrolled in our COVID Relief Payment Plan. If you are enrolled, the plan will help you pay down your balance over time. It will also protect you from disconnection after the shutoff moratorium ends on September 30, 2021, but only if you pay the plan installment amount and your current charges each month.
What you can expect:
Residential customers:
- Your total eligible outstanding balance can be paid over 24 months.
- Your monthly payment plan installment amount, which is your outstanding balance equally divided over 24 months, is due every month along with your Total Current Charges.
- Your Total Current Charges can be found on page one of your PG&E bill.
- If you miss more than two payment plan installments, you’ll be unenrolled from the plan.
Small Business customers:
- Your monthly payment installments are calculated based on no more than 10% of your average bill over the past 24 months.
- Your monthly payment plan installment amount is due every month along with your Total Current Charges.
- Your Total Current Charges can be found on page one of your PG&E bill.
- If you miss more than one payment plan installment within a 12-month period, you’ll be unenrolled from the plan.
Small Business customers in Disadvantaged Communities:
Payment installments are no more than 5% of your average bill over the past 24 months. Note: Disadvantaged Communities refer to specific communities that have been recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as most in need of investments to improve public health, quality of life and economic opportunity. Learn more about Disadvantaged Communities.
PG&E COVID Relief Payment Plan FAQ
What is the COVID Relief Payment Plan?
We are here to help during these times of increasing financial hardships you may be facing.
This payment plan was created to help our customers pay down their past-due balances over time, protecting them from disconnection of service (gas and/or electric) when the disconnection moratorium ends on September 30, 2021.
Who is eligible for the COVID Relief Payment Plan?
These groups of PG&E customers are eligible:
- Residential
- Small Businesses
- Residential and Small Business accounts with debt at least 60 days past due
- Community Choice Aggregation customers that also meet the above criteria
Why does the COVID Relief Payment Plan start in September 2021?
We want to help customers manage their bills. The launch of this payment plan coincides with the disconnection moratorium ending September 30, 2021. It helps qualifying customers pay down their past-due debt and avoid service (electric and gas) disconnections due to non-payment.
Do customers need to call PG&E to enroll in this payment plan?
No, eligible customers with a PG&E bill at least 60 days past due will be automatically enrolled beginning with their September 2021 bill.
When do the payment plan/installments begin?
Payment installments for enrolled customers will begin on their September 2021 PG&E bill.
How are the payment installments calculated?
- Residential customers: Monthly payment plan installment amounts are your outstanding balance equally divided over 24 months.
- Small Business customers: Payment installments are no more than 10% of your average bill over the past 24 months.
- Small Business customers in Disadvantaged Communities: Payment installments are no more than 5% of your average bill over the past 24 months. Note: Disadvantaged Communities refer to specific communities that have been recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as most in need of investments to improve public health, quality of life and economic opportunity. Learn more about Disadvantaged Communities.
How do the payment installments show up on my monthly bill?
Under the Account Summary section of your PG&E energy statement, you will see a bill message alert that shows the total past-due balance and the installment payment amount. You can also view your scheduled installments by signing into your PG&E account online.
What happens if I miss a payment?
We understand the increasing struggles you may be facing.
- Residential customers: If you miss more than two payment plan installments, you will be unenrolled from the payment plan and your service (gas and/or electric) may be shut-off in approximately 45 days unless payment is received.
- Small Business customers: If you miss more than one payment plan installment within a 12-month period, you will be unenrolled from the payment plan and your service (gas and/or electric) may be shut-off in approximately 45 days unless payment is received.
Need more information?
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to call 1-800-743-5000.
