San José residents and businesses may be eligible for programs that offer savings on your electricity bill, home energy efficiency upgrades, and discounts on electric vehicles through State or Federal funding. Learn more about these programs and see if you qualify.
This new state program is administered by PG&E and offers residential customers debt forgiveness in return for monthly on-time payments. With each on-time payment of current charges, AMP will forgive 1/12 of the eligible debt you owed at the time of enrollment. After 12 on-time payments, your eligible debt will be forgiven up to $8,000.
Eligibility
SJCE customers are eligible for this program if they meet the eligibility requirements. You must:
Net energy metering (NEM), master-metered customers, and master-metered customers with sub-metered tenants are currently not eligible to participate in AMP.
How to Enroll
Call PG&E Customer Service at 1-800-743-5000 or visit www.pge.com/amp for more information. Once approved, customers will receive a notification from PG&E confirming enrollment within 1 to 3 business days.
Who can participate in AMP?
In order to be eligible for AMP, you must be a residential customer and meet all the following eligibility requirements:
Net energy metering (NEM), master-metered customers and master-metered customers with sub-metered tenants are currently not eligible to participate in AMP.
How does AMP work?
With each on-time payment of your current charges, AMP will forgive 1/12 of the eligible debt you owed at the time of enrollment. After twelve on-time payments of your monthly current charges, your eligible debt will be forgiven up to $8,000.
Is there a cap or maximum amount eligible for debt forgiveness through AMP?
Yes, the maximum amount eligible for AMP forgiveness in a year is $8,000.
Are SJCE customers eligible for AMP?
Yes. As long as residents meet the eligibility requirements, they can participate in AMP.
Can I add new debt to my existing AMP program?
No. Any new charges issued on or after AMP enrollment or reinstatement are your responsibility to pay and cannot be added to your AMP balance.
How many payments are needed to complete the AMP?
Twelve on-time monthly payments are needed to forgive your eligible debt amount, up to $8,000.
What happens if I miss a payment?
You can miss up to two non-sequential payments, as long as you make up the payment on the next billing due date with an on-time payment of both the current bill and the missed payment(s). Missing two sequential payments, or failing to pay the 12th payment, will automatically remove you from AMP.
What happens if I sign up for AMP but then can’t keep up with my regular monthly payments?
If you break the AMP before reaching twelve on-time payments, there is no impact to the debt that has already been forgiven. However, your remaining debt will not be eligible to be forgiven.
Can I sign up again after completing the AMP program?
Once you complete the AMP, you are eligible to sign up again after a 12-month waiting period.
Can I be on another payment plan and enroll in AMP?
Yes, but you can only be on one payment plan at a time. If you qualify for AMP, then your previous payment plan will be replaced by your new AMP agreement.
Can I also participate in the REACH and LIHEAP programs if I am enrolled in AMP?
Yes, you can participate in REACH and LIHEAP. Any financial assistance payments (pledges) from the LIHEAP program would only be applied to current charges while enrolled in AMP.
If I am enrolled in AMP and then enroll in LIHEAP, can I use financial assistance payments from LIHEAP to pay my past-due balance?
No. Your LIHEAP payments will only apply to future energy charges. If you are enrolled in AMP, your LIHEAP payments cannot be applied to any debt amount eligible for AMP debt forgiveness.
This State program is administered by PG&E and offers a monthly discount of 30%-35% on electricity and 20% on gas. Customers must qualify through income guidelines or be enrolled in select public assistance programs. Customers must renew eligibility every two years or every four years if customer is on a fixed income. SJCE customers are eligible for this state-funded program and must apply and reapply through PG&E. If a customer does not qualify for the CARE program, they may still qualify for the FERA program. Review the income guidelines table below.
This State program is administered by PG&E and offers an 18% discount on electricity only. This discount is specifically for households of three or more people who meet the income guidelines. Customers must renew eligibility every two years. SJCE customers are eligible for this state-funded program and must apply through PG&E. Review the income guidelines table below.
This State program administered by PG&E is an assistance program for qualifying residential customers who have medical conditions that require special energy needs. Residents that qualify for Medical Baseline may receive an allowance of approximately 500 kWh of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas at the lowest rate each month based on medical condition and/or medical device. This year, customers applying for the program do not need a doctor’s signature. SJCE customers are eligible for Medical Baseline and must apply and reapply through PG&E.
View Income Guidelines Table
| Number of people in household | CARE | FERA |
| 1-2 |
$34,480 or less |
Not eligible |
| 3 |
$43,440 or less |
$43,441–$54,300
|
| 4 |
$52,400 or less |
$52,401–$65,500 |
| 5 |
$61,360 or less |
$61,361–$76,700 |
| 6 |
$70,320 or less |
$70,321–$87,900 |
| 7 |
$79,280 or less |
$79,281–$99,100 |
| 8 |
$88,240 or less |
$88,241–$110,300 |
| 9 |
$97,200 or less |
$97,201–$121,500 |
| 10 |
$106,160 or less |
$106,161–$132,700 |
| Each additional person, add |
$8,960 |
$8,960–$11,200 |
This federally funded program administered through Sacred Heart Community Service offers assistance to eligible low-income households (renters and homeowners) with paying utility bills, weatherizing their home, and making energy-related home repairs. LIHEAP offers a one-time credit to eligible households’ utility bill every calendar year. For 2021, that credit amount ranges between $269 and $413. This is a non-emergency program as it may take about 6-8 weeks for payment to be awarded. Customers must apply through Sacred Heart.
PLEASE NOTE: Customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency will be provided with up to an additional $100 in bill payment assistance through March 4, 2021.
This donation program administered by the non-profit Dollar Energy Fund gives income-qualified customers financial assistance during times of hardship. REACH provides a one-time energy credit each year for up to $300 based on a past due bill (energy credit support is subject to funding availability). To qualify, customers must have received either a 15-day or a 48-hour disconnection notice and customer income must not exceed the REACH income guidelines (same as CARE guidelines). Customers must apply through PG&E.
This program provides replacement and repairs of critical home equipment it be roofing, heating, water heaters, critical plumbing and critical electrical.
Income-eligible owner-occupied properties (Single Family or Mobile Homes) are eligible for critical home repairs that, if not corrected, would make the home uninhabitable.
This program, which is paid for by ratepayer funds through the Public Purpose Program charge, provides income-eligible customers with free energy savings improvements. Income eligibility follows the same guidelines as those for CARE. Improvements can include replacing your refrigerator, repairing or replacing your furnace or water heater and installing insulation, weatherproofing, energy-efficient light bulbs, caulking, low-flow showerheads and more.
This program provides families with low interest financing for electric vehicles. Must have a valid CA Driver’s License, must be 18 years or older, ability to repay loan and cover expenses, verifiable income (to 400% of poverty level), Not currently in or filing for bankruptcy.
The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program provides grants and affordable financing to help income-qualified Californians purchase a new or used hybrid or electric vehicle. This grant program is for California residents who meet the income threshold.
Grid Alternatives provides incentives for low-income Bay Area residents in communities disproportionately burdened by sources of pollution to retire their older vehicle and replace it with a hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or battery electric vehicle, or to get a Clipper Card for public transit. If you live in Bay Area, your household income falls within one of the specified income brackets, have a model car from 2005 or older, or a new applicant to a vehicle replacement grant program.
Will I still receive my CARE, FERA or Medical Baseline discounts with SJCE?
Yes. CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline are available to SJCE customers, as well as PG&E customers, and provide the same discount regardless of which provider you use. Customers enrolled in SJCE automatically continue to receive their CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline discount within their PG&E delivery charges; there is no need to reapply. New CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline enrollments or renewals must still be done through PG&E’s customer service center or website, as usual.
What is the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE)?
This State program is administered by PG&E and offers a monthly discount of 30%-35% on electricity and 20% on gas. Customers must qualify through income guidelines or be enrolled in select public assistance programs. SJCE customers are eligible for this state-funded program and must apply and reapply through PG&E.
Do I need to renew eligibility for CARE discount?
Customers must renew eligibility every two years or every four years if customer is on a fixed income.
Do I need to provide proof of income?
When applying you do not have to provide proof of income. However, at a later date you may be selected at random to provide proof of income.
I recently lost my job, do I qualify for CARE?
If you have recently lost your job, even if you’re receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for the CARE program.
What if I don’t qualify for CARE?
If a customer does not qualify for the CARE program, they may still qualify for the FERA program.
What is the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)?
This State program is administered by PG&E and offers an 18% discount on electricity only. This discount is specifically for households of three or more people who meet the income guidelines.
Do I need to renew eligibility for FERA discount?
Customers must renew eligibility every two years. You will receive a letter and application from PG&E three months before the discount expires. If you still qualify under the income guidelines at that time, you can reapply.
Do I need to provide proof of income?
When applying you do not have to provide proof of income. However, at a later date you may be selected at random to provide proof of income.
I recently lost my job, do I qualify for FERA?
If you have recently lost your job, even if you’re receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for the FERA program.
When will the discount show on my bill?
The CARE discount shows up on your next bill.
What is the Medical Baseline Allowance?
This State program administered by PG&E is an assistance program for qualifying residential customers who have medical conditions that require special energy needs. Residents that qualify for Medical Baseline may receive an allowance of approximately 500 kWh of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas at the lowest rate each month based on medical condition and/or medical device.
How do I qualify for Medical Baseline?
You can qualify by completing the online application on the PG&E website or filling out the “Medical Baseline Allowance” application form and sending it to the address below. Due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place requirements and changing medical practitioner priorities, customers applying for the program do not need a doctor’s signature. SJCE customers are eligible for Medical Baseline and must apply and reapply through PG&E.
Address:
PG&E
Attention: Medical Baseline
P.O. Box 8329
Stockton, CA 95208
How long does the Medical Baseline Allowance last?
Customers must re-certify after 1 year. Prior to your one year re-certification, PG&E will send reminder notifications to enrolled customers including updates about whether a qualified medical practitioner signature will be needed to re-certify.
What are some examples of qualifying medical conditions?
What are some examples of qualifying devices?
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