Programs by Fresno EOC, United Way and PG&E are available right now for low-income households to receive discounts and assistance on their energy bills.
by Diego Vargas March 29, 2024 March 29, 2024
When you’re struggling to keep up with your utility bills, it can feel impossible to catch up when they start to pile on.
Fortunately for Fresnans, local and state resources exist to help reduce or pay for utilities for customers and can assist those in risk of having their energy cut off. Here’s a list of programs you can apply for right now:
Never miss the top stories in Fresno - sign up for our free newsletters.
Fresno’s Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) offers one-time financial assistance to low-income households to pay for energy bills for any Fresno County resident.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open to any resident of Fresno County who needs assistance paying for electricity, gas, propane, wood or oil.
“A client can only be assisted one-payment (once a year) per contract,” said Cedric Hood, public affairs manager for Fresno EOC. “The maximum amount is $3,000 for eligible applicants.”
If you are at risk of having your energy cut off and have received a 24 or 48-hour disconnect notice, their Energy Crisis Intervention Program can also help stop your energy from being cut off.
In order to qualify for these programs, applicants must:
The following documents must be provided for the application:
If applicable, the following documents are also needed:
You can apply by visiting this link. Applications can be filled out online or downloaded and mailed to the following address:
Mail the LIHEAP application to P.O. BOX 11906, Fresno, CA 93775
Assistance with the application is also available at 559-263-1320.
United Way, a non-profit organization, offers residents of Fresno and Madera counties up to $500 in energy credit for electricity and gas. This assistance is only available once for qualifying applicants every 12 months.
The Relief for Energy Assistance Through Community Help (REACH) program is available only to residents who have received either a 15-day or 48-hour shut off notice.
In order to qualify for the REACH program, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
No documentation is required to fill out the application. After completing the online application, a specialist will contact you to gather more information.
You can apply by visiting this link. The total assistance amount you will receive will be based on your past due bill.
Additional assistance with completing the application can be reached by calling 211 or emailing 211reach@uwfm.org.
PG&E offers multiple programs to assist in paying or reducing your monthly utility bill.
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers a discount of 20% or more to qualifying applicants. Click here to see if you are eligible.
PG&E also offers the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program to households of three or more. Qualifying households receive an 18% discount on their monthly electricity bill. Click here to see if you qualify.
Both programs share the same application, so if you don’t qualify for CARE, PG&E will check to see if you qualify for FERA. You will be asked to create or sign into your PG&E account in order to access the application. If you don’t have an account or don’t want to create one, click here to sign in using one-time access.
In order to qualify for the CARE or FERA program, you must meet the following requirements:
Copies of income documentation such as wages, salaries, scholarships, pensions and social security must be presented during the application process. A full list of what income documentation is needed (if applicable) can be found here.
To apply, click here. Additional application languages and mail-in applications can be found here.
Every week we bring you deeply reported stories about the essential issues facing our region. Help us continue our work by becoming a monthly sustainer today.
