California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)*

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison 

Description:

• Qualifying households receive up to 32.5% discount on their electric bills.

Eligibility:

• Find out if you qualify

Maximum Household Income

Effective as of June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026
*Current gross (before taxes) household income from all sources.

Customers may also be eligible for CARE if they are enrolled in public assistance programs such as:

• Medicaid/Medi-Cal 
• Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) 
• Healthy Families A & B 
• National School Lunch’s Free Lunch Program (NSL) 
• CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps) 
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
• Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only) 
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF

Apply: 

• Call for more information: (866) 675-6623
• Application

Recertification:

• CARE participants must re-enroll every two years

Family Electric Rate Assistance FERA*

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison (Clean Power Alliance)

Description:

• Qualifying households receive an 18% discount on their electric bills

Eligibility:

• FERA is available for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company or Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 
• Find out if you qualify
• Following are the income limits in effect from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024:

Effective as of June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026
*Current gross (before taxes) household income from all sources.

Apply:

• Phone number: (800) -798 – 5723
• Application

Recertification:

• FERA participants must re-enroll every two years

Medical Baseline Plan

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison 

Description:

• Provides an additional 16.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day.
• Accepts those who require the regular use of any electronically powered medical/life support equipment that require heating and/or cooling.
• Brochures: Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Tagalog, English and English (Large Font)

Eligibility:

• Find out if you qualify
• To be eligible, you or someone who lives with you full time must require the use of a medical device 
• Those who are temperature sensitive and require air conditioning.
• Those with life threatening illness or compromised immune systems or other conditions.
• Qualifying Devices:
  • Aerosol Tent
  • Air Mattress/Hospital Bed
  • Apnea Monitor
  • Breather Machine (IPPB)
  • Compressor/Concentrator
  • Dialysis Machine
  • Electronic Nerve Stimulator
  • Electrostatic Nebulizer
  • Hemodialysis Machine
  • Infusion Pump
  • Inhalation Pulmonary Pressure
  • Iron Lung
  • Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
  • Motorized Wheelchair/Scooter
  • Oxygen Generator
  • Pressure Pad
  • Pressure Pump
  • Pulse Oximeter/Monitor
  • Respirator (all types)
  • Suction Machine
  • The Vest/Airway Clearance System
  • Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t)
  • Ultrasonic Nebulizer

Application (Print Out Only) 

• A Medical Professional must provide signature on page 2
• Mail to: Southern California Edison Company, Medical Baseline Department, P.O. Box 9527, Azusa, CA 91702

Online Application

• Have email address of Medical Professional ready as they will receive an email requesting their signature.
• Phone: (800)-655-4555

Recertification:

• If a medical professional certifies the condition is permanent, the customer must complete Part 1 of the application every four years to renew. 
• If a medical professional certifies the condition temporary, the customer must complete Part 1 of the application every two years.

Summer Discount Plan

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison (Clean Power Alliance)

Description:

• SCE customers can earn up to $180 in credits on their energy bill with the Summer Discount Plan. Flexible program options let customers choose their level of comfort and savings. There’s no cost to enroll or participate in the program and customers can Manage Their Preferences anytime.
• When you sign up, SCE will install a remote-controlled device on or near your air conditioner at no cost to you. This will allow us to turn off or cycle your A/C unit during energy events throughout the year based on your program preferences. You’ll earn bill credits from June 1 to October 1 for participating.
• Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility:

• Only available for service locations with Central Air Conditioning. Window and wall air conditioning units are ineligible for this plan.
• Customers receiving a medical baseline allocation for air conditioning under schedule MB or participating in the Smart Energy Program are not eligible to enroll in the Summer Discount Plan.

Apply:

• Enroll online 
• If you prefer to enroll by U.S. mail, please print and complete an application form (PDF) and return it to SCE. The mailing address is on the form. You will need your service account number, which can be found on a recent bill.
  • English Application
  • Spanish Application
  • Chinese Application
  • Korean Application
  • Vietnamese Application

Recertification:

• After the first year, your enrollment will be automatically renewed every year until you notify SCE that you no longer wish to participate.

Budget Billing Plan

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison 

Description:

• The Budget Billing Plan is a 12-month program SCE offers eligible customers to help pay for their annual electricity service across 11 equal monthly payments. This plan does not reduce the amount of your bill — you’re still responsible for paying the full cost of the energy you use, but you can split the cost into equal payments throughout the year.
• Learn More.

Eligibility:

• You may qualify for the Budget Billing Plan if your account meets the following criteria:
  • The base amount must be $5 or greater.
  • Account must be active with at least one active or pending Contract(s) attached.
  • Account must be in an eligible rate category.
  • Account cannot be on hold or reviewed by the Revenue Services Organization (RSO).
  • Account cannot be under credit review (e.g., returned checks, multiple extensions, installment plan, and disconnects)
  • Account cannot be enrolled in both Budget Assistant and Budget Billing Plan.
  • Account cannot be enrolled in Net Energy Metering (NEM).
  • If the account is Joint Billed, all the Contracts under that Contract Account will need to be on the Budget Billing Plan.

Apply:

• You can enroll by calling 1-800-434-2365, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• If for any reason the Budget Billing Plan is not right for you, just call 1-800- 434-2365, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. When you cancel your enrollment, any balance amount is due on the due date shown on your statement. If you have a credit amount, it will continue to be applied to your account until it’s used up.

California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)– Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Program Administrator:

• The Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization Provider is administrated through the Pacific Asian Consortium of Employment (PACE LA)

Description:

• ​​​The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to eligible low-income households with the goal of managing and meeting their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs.
• LIHEAP is a federally-funded program aimed to assist low-income households that pay a high portion of their income to meet their energy needs. 
• There are several portions of the program that help accomplish this goal such as
• the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which can provide free assistance towards paying your natural gas or electric utility bills. The program helps eligible households offset their heating and cooling costs.

Eligibility:

• ​Eligibility for services may vary depending on sources of income and other factors. Please contact your local energy agency to determine your eligibility.
•  Priority is given to the elderly, disabled and families with young children who meet the income eligibility requirements.
  

Apply:

• Click here to search for your local LIHEAP service provider before applying 
  • • Enter your city
    • Select your zip code
    • Verify that Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) is your service provider. If not, please contact the local service provider listed for application information
    • Application (English) Application (Spanish)
    • Phone (Monday-Thursday 8AM-3PM) – (213) 989-3177 
    • Phone (24HR Information Line) – (213) 353-1228

For more information:

• Call: 
  • (213) 989-3236  –  English/Spanish
  • (213) 989-3173  –  English/Spanish
  • (213) 989-3236  –  English/Spanish
  • (213) 989-3183  –  English
  • (213) 989-3250  –  English
  • (213) 989-3246  – English/Armenian/Russian
  • (213) 353-1228  –  24-Hour Recorded Message Information Line
• Or visit the office:
  • PACE Energy, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900E (9th Floor), Los Angeles, CA 90017
  • Open Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. –3 p.m.

Recertification:

• The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a one-time financial assistance program so customers cannot become re-certified.

Gas Assistance Fund

Program Administrator:

• Funded by SoCalGas and administered by United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Description:

•  If you’re having difficulty paying your natural gas bill, the Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) may be able to provide you, or someone you know, with a one-time grant for the amount of the gas bill, not to exceed $100.00. 

Eligibility:

• The natural gas bill must be in the name of the applicant requesting assistance.
• The bill address must be the applicant’s primary residence.
• The applicant must not apply for more than the maximum GAF allowance for the current program year.
• The applicant must meet the income guidelines.

*Includes current household income from all sources before deductions. These income guidelines are effective June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026 until the funds are depleted.

Application:

• To apply for GAF assistance, please contact the non-profit partner organization in your area.
  • Salvation Army Bellflower
    • 9644 Cedar Street, Bellflower, CA, 90706
    • Call: (562) 804-0808
    • Open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Accepts appointments
  • The Salvation Army – Compton
    • 736 East Compton Blvd, Compton, CA, 90221
    • Call: (310) 639-0362
    • Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
    • Accepts appointments

Recertification: 

• The Gas Assistance Fund is a one-time financial assistance program so customers cannot become re-certified.

Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)

Program Administrator: SoCal Gas

Description:

• Provides an opportunity for qualifying SoCalGas residential customers to have their eligible past due bills forgiven.
• Once enrolled, every time a current bill is paid in full and on time, SoCalGas will forgive 1/12 of the eligible debt. After 12 consecutive monthly natural gas bills are paid in full and on time, the full amount of the eligible debt will be forgiven (up to a maximum of $8,000 per enrollment period).

Eligibility

• Are enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program.
• Have been an SCE customer for at least six months.
• Have a past-due bill amounting to more than $500 (some of which have been past due for more than 90 days).
• Have made at least one on-time payment in the past 24 months.
• Agree to pay all your monthly SCE bills on time for the next 12 months.

Enrollment

• You can apply here: Application
• After completing your AMP enrollment, we will remove your account from program participation if you miss two consecutive payments or three non-consecutive payments.
• After you receive our letter in the mail showing your application is approved, be sure to make your current monthly payment before the due date and continue paying in full and on time every month. We will forgive 1/12 of your total past-due amount, up to $8,000.
• Customers who enroll in the AMP program are not eligible for installment plans. Net Energy Metering (NEM), Direct Access (DA), and master metered customers are not currently eligible.

Energy Savings Assistance Program

Program Administrator: Administered and overseen by the California Public Works Commission.

Details:

• Whether you are a renter or homeowner you may be eligible to receive energy-saving home improvements from an authorized contractor at no cost through the Energy Savings Assistance Program.
• These home improvements may include:
  • Attic insulation
  • Energy-efficient refrigerators
  • Energy-efficient furnaces
  • Weatherstripping
  • Caulking
  • Low-flow showerheads
  • Water heater blankets
  • Door and building envelope repairs which reduce air infiltration

Eligibility:

• You may be eligible to qualify for the program if you or another person in your household receives benefits from any of the following programs
  • Medi-Cal/Medicaid
  • Medi-Cal for Families A & B
  • Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
  • CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF
  • Head Start Income Eligible – Tribal Only
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • CalFresh (Food Stamps)
  • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• You may also be able to qualify for Energy Savings Assistance Program if your household income meets the guidelines below:

• Check eligibility requirements here

Solar Energy

Energy for All Program

Program Administrator: Energy for All is a program of GRID Alternatives, a community-based nonprofit organization that connects families with state and local government programs and other resources that help them save money.

Eligibility: To see if you qualify, please visit here or call (866)-921-4696.

The DAC-Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH)

Program Administrator:  Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission, administered by Grid Alternatives.

Details:

• This program provides financial incentives for the installation of rooftop solar generating systems.
• The incentives assist income-qualified DAC customers in overcoming barriers to the installation of onsite solar energy, such as lack of capital or credit needed to finance a solar installation.

Eligibility:

• To qualify for DAC-SASH, homeowners must live in one of the top 25 percent most disadvantaged communities statewide using the CalEnviroScreen 4.0.
• Be a billing customer of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
• Homeowners must also meet income qualifications as denoted by annual CARE and FERA guidelines

Application:

• GRID is accepting applications to DAC-SASH through its Energy for All Program. The Energy for All Program bundles state funding for solar with other local incentives and private philanthropy to make solar technology available at low to no cost to its clients. See if you qualify.

Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH)

Program Administrator: SOMAH is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission and is jointly administered by the Association for Energy Affordability, Center for Sustainable Energy and GRID Alternatives in collaboration with California Housing Partnership.

Details:

• The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives to all qualified affordable multifamily apartment homes to aid in solar installation costs.
• Program Handbook
• The Benefits of SOMAH for Property Owners

Eligibility

• To qualify for eligibility for a SOMAH incentive, a property must: 
  • Have at least five units.
  • Be deed-restricted low-income residential housing
  • Satisfy one of the following:

• • • 66% of the property residents have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)

OR

• • • Property is in a defined disadvantaged community (DAC) that scores in the top 25% of census tracts statewide in the CalEnviroScreen including property that is located on tribal land and is federally recognized

OR

• • • The property is owned by a California Native American tribe

OR

• • • The property is rental housing property that is owned by a public housing authority or public housing agency

• • Be an existing building or retrofit (new construction properties may receive upfront technical assistance but must have their certificate of occupancy before submitting a reservation request)
  • Have separately metered units
  • Be a utility or community choice aggregator (CCA) customer (with VNEM) in the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), PacifiCorp or Liberty Utilities territories. 

• SOMAH Eligible Properties Map 
• Application

Defunct Programs

Subsidized Housing Assistance Relief for Energy (SHARE) (defunct)

Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program (defunct)