SDG&E Programs Provide Financial Assistance for Owners of San Diego Properties
Jan 29th, 2010 by Kathleen Behrens
Houses for Sale in San Diego has information for you on a number of SDG&E programs and resources which provide financial assistance to owners of San Diego properties who are having difficulty paying their utility bills. The SDG&E website indicates their commitment to helping their customers. “We are always willing to work with our customers to avoid service shut-offs, which can lead to reconnection fees and deposits.” It’s important to take action and not procrastinate to avoid having your service disconnected. Call SDG&E before your past due notice expires. If your notice has expired, you should call immediately to arrange a payment plan. The number for service in English is 1-800-411-7343. For service in Spanish, call 1-800-311-7343.
SDG&E’s discount programs are CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy) and FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance). CARE provides an automatic 20 percent discount on monthly bills. Customers who are enrolled in FERA benefit from lower rates for electricity at certain usage levels. Qualifying for these discount programs is based upon household size and income level. Customers who receive benefits from certain public assistance programs may also qualify. Some of the assistance programs are Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Healthy Families, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), National School Lunch’s Free Lunch Program (NSL), and Food Stamps. You can apply for CARE or FERA online or by mail. If you qualify, your discount will begin within 30 days after your application has been received.
SDG&E customers may also qualify to receive an energy efficient San Diego home makeover from the Energy Team Program. The same qualifications which are used for the CARE and FERA programs are also used to determine eligibility for the Energy Team Program. The benefits and services of this program include having contractors install weather stripping and insulation, low flow showerheads, and energy efficient lighting and appliances. You can also apply online or by mail for this program. For more information, call the energy team at 1-866-597-0597.
Another resource for financial assistance is calling 211. Yes, that’s it – just 211. Think of it as similar to calling 411 for information. 211 is San Diego’s online database of close to 3,000 services and community resources. Information and referral specialists assist callers by matching their needs to the best community resources. A few of the energy assistance programs include the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP).
Customers who do not qualify for any state or federal government assistance programs may qualify for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor fund. The benefit of this program is receiving a one time grant of up to $200. It is designed for people who are experiencing financial hardships due to the loss of a job or a chronic illness.
There are numerous ways to seek assistance for owners of San Diego properties who are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot afford to pay their utility bills. Contact SDG&E and 211 to find out which programs may be beneficial for you. Houses for Sale in San Diego hopes this article has been a helpful resource for you or someone you know who may need assistance during these difficult economic times.
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