Discount Programs

Programs That Can Bring Savings to Your Household

Times have been difficult, and while for some it feels like life is getting back to normal, we know many are still struggling to keep up with utility bills. Your team at SJCE wants you to know there are resources available to lower your monthly electricity bill and help you recover financially.

You can also sign up to receive texts from SJCE with tips on how to save money and updates on new assistance programs. Text SAVINGS to (833) 415-2329 to sign up today.

SJCE OPTIONS & PROGRAMS

Recognizing that customers appreciate options, and that some customers are struggling to pay their utility bills, we introduced the following services earlier this year.

GreenValue

GreenValue is our new lowest cost option with 40% renewable energy and rates competitive with PG&E’s standard rates. Any customer can enroll in GreenValue at any time. Learn more or enroll our account today by visiting our GreenValue webpage.

SJ Cares

Customers enrolled in the state’s CARE or FERA programs are automatically enrolled in our SJ Cares program to receive more renewable energy at our lowest rates. Starting March 1, SJ Cares customers will receive an additional 5% off the generation portion of their energy bill. This means they will pay the lowest energy rates in San José.

SJCE introduced this program in May 2021 to increase access to renewable energy for all customers. Transitioning to clean energy reduces pollution and improves air quality and the health of our community. Learn more on the SJ Cares webpage.

Solar Access

Our new Solar Access program offers  20%  off your electricity bill, which can be stacked on top of CARE and FERA discounts for up to 55% savings. No solar panel installation or equipment is needed. See if you qualify by visiting our Solar Access webpage.

MONTHLY DISCOUNTS

The state offers several discount programs to help with your monthly energy bill.

California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)

The CARE and FERA programs are often the first step in qualifying for other assistance programs.

CARE provides 30-35% off your electricity bill and 20% off your gas bill.
FERA provides 18% off your electricity bill.

Learn more and apply on PG&E’s website.

Income Guidelines:

Number of people in household	CARE	FERA
1-2	$34,840 or less	Not eligible
3	$43,920 or less	$43,921–$54,900
4	$53,000 or less	$53,001–$66,250
5	$62,080 or less	$62,081–$77,600
6	$71,160 or less	$71,161–$88,950
7	$80,240 or less	$80,241–$100,300
8	$89,320 or less	$89,321–$111,650
9	$98,400 or less	$98,401–$123,000
10	$107,480 or less	$107,481–$134,350
Each additional person, add	$9,080	$9,080–$11,350

Medical Baseline Allowance

The Medical Baseline Allowance program offers additional energy at a lower price for 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. Learn more and apply on PG&E’s website.

HELP WITH OVERDUE BILLS

The following programs can help you pay down your bill or eliminate outstanding balances.

Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)

The Arrearage Management Plan, or AMP, is a new payment plan option to help income-qualified residential customers reduce or eliminate debt owed on their electricity bills (up to $8,000).

To be eligible, customers must:

Be enrolled in CARE or FERA state assistance programs;
Owe at least $500 or more on their gas and electric bill;
Be more than 90 days past due;
Be a PG&E customer for at least 6 months; and
Have made at least one on-time payment.

Customers can call PG&E Customer Service at 1-800-743-5000 to enroll. Learn more on PG&E’s website.

IMPORTANT: It’s important to keep making on-time payments as missing payments could lead PG&E to automatically remove you from the program. Automatic removal could happen if you:

Miss two sequential (back-to-back) payments.
Miss a total of three payments (in any order).
Fail to make the 12^th (final) payment.
Move outside of PG&E’s service area.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, offers a one-time credit up to $436 to income-eligible households. Homeowners and renters can use this credit to pay utility bills, weatherize their home, or make energy-related home repairs. LIHEAP is administered by Sacred Heart. Learn more and apply on their website or call 877-278-6455.

Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help Program (REACH)

The Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help Program, or REACH, offers a one-time credit of up to $300 to help income-eligible households pay past due energy bills. REACH is donation-based program and subject to funding availability. REACH is administered by Dollar Energy Fund. Learn more and apply through their website.

Disconnection Moratorium

Throughout the pandemic, electricity customers have been protected from having their power turned off due to nonpayment. However, these protections expired on September 30, 2021. Customers that owe money on their energy bill have several options to avoid disconnection.

COVID-19 Debt Relief Payment Plan

After September 30, any residential customers with a balance that’s more than 60 days past due will be automatically enrolled in a 24-month payment plan. The monthly payment will be equal to your total outstanding balance divided by 24 months. For example, if you owe $250, your monthly payment will be $10.42 for the next 24 months. These payments will be added to your Total Current Charges due each month (page 1 of your PG&E bill). Learn more about this payment plan on PG&E’s website.

Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)

Income-eligible customers (CARE or FERA) with a balance greater than $500 that’s more than 90 days past due may enroll in the AMP program for debt forgiveness up to $8,000. See section above to understand how AMP works and how to apply.

IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR HOME

The following programs can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home, which can lead to a lower monthly bill and safer home.

Critical Home Repair Program

This program provides replacement and repairs of critical home equipment like 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. Learn more and apply on Habitat for Humanity’s website.

Energy Savings Assistance Program

This program provides income-eligible customers with free energy savings improvements. Improvements can include replacing your refrigerator, repairing or replacing your furnace or water heater, installing insulation, weatherproofing, energy-efficient light bulbs, caulking, low-flow showerheads, and more. Learn more and apply on PG&E’s website.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

This program provides eligible, low-income households with an energy and safety assessment to check the weatherization and energy efficiency of their home. It also includes possible installation of energy efficiency measures such as doors, windows, thermostat, attic insulation and more which can help save energy and money. To learn more and apply, call Central Coast Energy Services (408) 675-1910.

Assistance Programs FAQ:

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.

SJCE customers enrolled in CARE or FERA are automatically enrolled in our SJ Cares program for more renewable energy at our lowest rates.

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.

Do I need to sign up for SJ Cares?

No. If you are a CARE or FERA customer, you will be automatically enrolled in SJ Cares – no action is needed. Please allow up to one month after enrolling in CARE or FERA to see SJ Cares on the SJCE portion of your bill.

If you are not a CARE or FERA customer and don’t qualify for SJ Cares, GreenValue may be a good option for you. GreenValue is our lowest cost option for customers not enrolled in SJ Cares.

I don’t qualify for any discount programs. Are there other ways to lower my bill?

Yes! Here are some tips on how to save energy and reduce your monthly bill:

Choose GreenValue, our lowest cost service. GreenValue costs the same as PG&E but includes SJCE’s customer benefits like cleaner power, community programs, local control, and transparency and accountability. Customers do not save money by opting out of SJCE service.
Reduce your electricity usage. Here are a few examples: unplug appliances that you aren’t using or use power strips that you can turn on and off; upgrade your lighting to LEDs and turn off unnecessary lights; wash clothes with cold water and try air-drying clothes.
Choose the best rate plan for your household. Many customers were transitioned to time-of-use (TOU) rate plans in June wherein the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day. Visit our TOU page to learn whether this is the best rate plan for your household. You can perform your own rate comparison online in your PG&E account.
Make energy efficiency upgrades. Please refer to our Energy Efficiency page to find useful resources to make home upgrades that can make a big impact on your home’s energy use and your household’s comfort. We’re launching our own energy efficiency programs later this year! Stay tuned.
Reduce your gas usage. If you are a PG&E gas customer, your bill could be higher during winter months due to more frequent use of a gas heater or fireplace. Try lowering the temperature of your thermostat and water heater. Reduce drafts by sealing holes around pipes, wiring, vents or recessed lights with spray foam or caulk.

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?

Paraplegic, hemiplegic or quadriplegic condition
Multiple sclerosis with special heating and/or cooling needs
Scleroderma with special heating needs
Life-threatening illness or compromised immune system, and special heating and/or cooling are needed to sustain life or prevent medical deterioration
Asthma and/or sleep apnea

What are some examples of qualifying devices?

Motorized wheelchair/scooter
IPPB or CPAP machines
Respirator (all types)
Hemodialysis machine
Iron lung

What if I owe money on my electricity bill but don’t meet the income requirements of the AMP program?

In an effort to help all customers manage overdue bills, the state is requiring PG&E to automatically enroll residential or small business customers into payment plans, regardless of income-status.

The COVID-19 Debt Relief Payment Plan is for customers with account balances at least 60 days past due. Payments are due each month with your Total Current Charges (page 1 of your PG&E bill). San José Clean Energy (SJCE) customers and their balance due to SJCE are included in the COVID-19 Debt Relief Payment Plan.

How does the COVID-19 Debt Relief Payment Plan work?

Residential:

An enrolled residential customer’s debt can be paid over 24 months.
The monthly payment amount is equal to the outstanding balance equally divided over 24 months. For example: If a customer owes $250, their monthly payment will be $10.42 ($250/24 months = $10.42).
If a customer misses a payment, the amount will be added to the end of their payment plan – extending their plan by one month.
Missing more than two payments will lead to removal from the payment plan, which could lead to disconnection.

Small Business:

An enrolled small business customer’s debt can be paid over a set duration so that installments are no more than 10% of their average bill from the last 24 months.
Small business customers in disadvantaged communities (DACs) can pay their debt over a set duration so that installments are no more than 5% of their average bill from the past 24 months.
The monthly payment amount is equal to the outstanding balance divided over the duration of the payment plan. For example: If a customer owes $1,000 and the duration of their payment plan is 24 months, then their monthly payment will be $41.67 ($1,000/24 months = $41.67).
If a customer misses a payment, the amount will be added to the end of their payment plan – extending their plan by one month.
Small business customers can miss one payment within a 12-month period. Missing more than one payment will lead to removal from the payment plan, which could lead to disconnection.

Customers interested in learning more about the COVID-19 Debt Relief Payment Plan should call PG&E customer service at 1-800-743-5000.

Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) FAQ:

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:

Be enrolled in one of PG&E’s financial assistance programs, CARE or FERA
Owe at least $500 or more on your gas and electric bill, or owe at least $250 or more on your gas bill (applies to gas-only customers)
Be more than 90 days past due
Be a PG&E customer for at least 6 months, and have made at least one on-time payment

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 (PG&E and SJCE portion of the bill).

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 (PG&E and SJCE portion of the bill).

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.

What if I am removed from AMP?

There is no impact to the amount of debt already forgiven. If you are removed from the AMP program, then you may be eligible for PG&E’s COVID Relief Payment Plan, which divides your outstanding balance into equal payments over the next 24 months. These payments are due each month along with your current charges. Visit PG&E’s website for more information about this payment plan.

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.