No-Cost Energy Conservation and Bill Assistance Programs

Energy Conservation

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides services designed to help low-income households conserve energy and reduce energy costs. Services include appliance replacement and Weatherization services, such as attic insulation, weather-stripping, and minor home replacements. The services are offered at no cost to eligible customers.

If your utility does not offer the Energy Savings Assistance Program, you may be eligible to receive services through the state of California’s Weatherization Program. The program is funded with federal funds and provides free energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households to lower their monthly utility bills while improving the health and safety of the household’s occupants.

To apply or for more information, visit www.csd.ca.gov or call (866) 675 - 6623.

Low-Income Weatherization Program

The Low-Income Weatherization Program's (LIWP's) Farmworker Housing Component installs no-cost energy efficiency improvements and/or solar PV systems for qualified farmworker households. Funded by the State of California to help households save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the program lowers energy costs for families and makes other improvements to improve the livability of housing.

The LIWP Farmworker Housing Component provides services in 18 California counties: Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Riverside, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, & Ventura.

The Critical Care Backup Battery Program

Southern California Edison’s Critical Care Backup Battery (CCBB) Program offers eligible customers a free portable backup battery to power their medical device in the event of a power outage. The portable battery can offer temporary power if you must relocate to safety in case of an emergency.

To qualify, you must:

• Be identified as a Critical Care customer through SCE’s Medical Baseline program

• Be enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Energy Rate Assistance (FERA) program

• Must live in an area SCE designates as a High Fire-Risk Area. To determine if you reside in a High Fire-Risk Area, visit the CPUC High Fire-Risk Map at https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/firemap/.

To learn more about these three above programs, call (760) 322 - 2653 or click here.

The Single-family Affordable Solar Home Programs (SASH) is a ratepayer-funded program through the California Public Utilities Commission that provides up-front rebates to help low-income homeowners access the benefits of solar power.

State or Federal Programs

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded energy assistance program provides income-qualified households a one-time financial assistance to help pay their utility bill. Funds pledged to assist customers are distributed through local community-based organizations, assistance agencies and certain government agencies.

The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) assists low-income households that are in a crisis, such as a household that has received a 24- to 48-hour disconnect notice or service termination by its utility company, or a household facing an energy-related crisis of life-threatening emergency, including matters related to a combustible (gas) appliance.

For more information or to apply, click here or call (866) 867 - 6623.

California Public Utilities Commission Assistance

The Telecommunications Education and Assistance in Multiple Languages (TEAM) Program provides services to limited English proficient consumers with telecommunications issues by focusing on three services components - consumer education, complaint resolution, and outreach.

The Community Help and Awareness of Natural Gas and Electric Services (CHANGES) Program provides services to limited English proficient consumers who need help with energy issues. The program provides consumer education and complaint resolution (between the consumer and utility).

For more information, click here.

Utility Programs

Home Energy / Gas Assistance Fund

Utility customers having difficulty paying their utility bill can receive relief through the Energy or Gas Assistance Fund. This program may be able to provide a one-time grant that would be applied to your utility bill. The utilities work together with United Way, who work with volunteer nonprofit, community based organizations which help qualify customers apply for assistance.

For more information or to apply, click on the links below:
Energy Assistance Program (EAF)
Gas Assistance Fund (GAF)

Rate Discount Programs

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) - The CARE rate is available to eligible income qualified households and offers a discount of about 30% on your electric bill and 20% on your natural gas bill.

Customers who may not qualify for CARE may be eligible for a rate discount through the Family Rate Assistance for Energy (FERA). This program reduces the electric bills for qualified households by 18%. Both programs have the same application and it is easy to apply.

For more information, click here.

Level Pay Plan

The utility’s Level Pay Plan helps you to budget your utility bill by allowing you to pay the same amount each month based on your average usage during the previous year.

The Level Pay Plan is not a discount program; no savings or lower rates, simply a budgeting tool.

For more information, click the links below:
Southern California Edison - Level Pay Plan
Southern California Gas Company - Level Pay Plan

Medical Baseline Allowance

If someone in your household uses medical equipment on a regular basis, you may qualify for the Medical Baseline Allowance Program. The program allows you to be billed at a lower rate to offset the cost of operating the medical equipment.

Southern California Edison — Medical Baseline Allowance
Southern California Gas Company — Medical Baseline Allowance

The California Life-Line Program

Eligible households could lower the cost of their phone bills with the California Life-Line Program. In addition, the Life-Line program offers a discount on talk cell phone plans and you may also qualify for a free cell phone.

For more information, click here.

No-Cost Community Services Programs

Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

The California Department of Developmental Services is the agency through which the State of California provides services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities. Services are provided through state-operated centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Some of the services and supports provided by the regional centers include:

• Assessment & Diagnosis

• Assistance in Finding / Using Community and other Resources — Advocacy for the Protection of Legal, Civil & Service Rights

• Community Education About Developmental Disabilities

• Counseling

• Early Intervention Services for at Risk Infants & their Families

• Family Support

• Genetic Counseling

• Information & Referral

• Lifelong Individualized Planning & Service Coordination

• Outreach

• Planning, Placement, & Monitoring for 24-hour Out-of-Home Care

• Purchase of Necessary Services included in the Individual Program Plan

• Resource Development

• Training & Educational Opportunities for Individuals and Families

To Locate a Regional Center, click here.

Assistance through Local Community Service Providers

Assistance through Local Community Service Providers offer services under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) targeting low-income Californians and disadvantaged communities, services vary and may include:

• Education Services

• Emergency Services

• Employment Services

• Food / Nutrition Services

• Homeless Services

• Housing Services

• Income Management Services

• Senior Services

• Transportation Services

Assistance for Migrant & Seasonal Farm Workers

Assistance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers is offered through La Cooperativa Campesina de California under various grants targeting migrant and seasonal farm-workers. Services include:

• Advocacy & Awareness

• Education & Employment Services

• Emergency & Disaster

• Services Income Management Services

• No-cost Energy Efficiency Services

• No-cost Roof-top Services

• Supportive Services

• Transportation Services

Assistance for Native American Tribes

Assistance for Native American Tribes is offered through the Northern California Indian Development Council and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Services include:

• Burial Assistance

• Child Assistance

• Clothing & Shelter

• Community Health & Wellness

• Education Services

• Emergency Services

• Employment Skills & Training

• Financial Assistance & Social Services

• Food/Nutrition Services

• Non-Medical Institutional or Custodial Care of Adults

• Transportation Services

Clean Vehicle Assistance Program

The Clean Assistance Program provides grants and affordable financing to help income-qualified Californians purchase or lease a new or used hybrid or electric vehicle. Our goal is to make clean vehicles accessible and affordable to all who qualify.

For more information, click here or call (559) 271 - 1957.