PG&E Commits $50 Million to Expand Bill Relief for Customers with Past-Due Energy Bills
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) has announced a $50 million commitment to expand financial assistance programs for customers with past-due energy bills. The centerpiece is the new Match My Payment Program, offering dollar-for-dollar matching up to $1,000 for qualifying low-to-moderate income customers.
The Match My Payment Program significantly expands eligibility compared to existing programs, with income thresholds of $128,600 for a family of four. The program will run through December 31, 2025, with PG&E estimating approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance.
Additionally, PG&E's existing REACH program continues to provide up to $300 in bill credits. Qualifying customers can potentially receive up to $1,300 in combined benefits through both programs. The company reports that in 2024, nearly 58,000 customers received over $50 million in total assistance through the REACH program.
PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the remainder of 2025 and expects residential combined gas and electric bills to remain flat through 2025 and decrease in 2026.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) ha annunciato un impegno di 50 milioni di dollari per ampliare i programmi di assistenza finanziaria destinati ai clienti con bollette energetiche in arretrato. Il fulcro è il nuovo Programma Match My Payment, che offre un contributo a fondo perduto pari al pagamento effettuato, fino a 1.000 dollari, per i clienti con reddito da basso a moderato che ne hanno diritto.
Il Programma Match My Payment amplia notevolmente i requisiti di ammissibilità rispetto ai programmi esistenti, con una soglia di reddito di 128.600 dollari per una famiglia di quattro persone. Il programma sarà attivo fino al 31 dicembre 2025 e PG&E stima che circa 400.000 clienti potrebbero beneficiare di questa assistenza.
Inoltre, il programma REACH di PG&E continua a offrire crediti sulle bollette fino a 300 dollari. I clienti qualificati possono ricevere complessivamente fino a 1.300 dollari di benefici combinati attraverso entrambi i programmi. L’azienda riferisce che nel 2024 quasi 58.000 clienti hanno ricevuto oltre 50 milioni di dollari in assistenza totale tramite il programma REACH.
PG&E prevede nessuna variazione aggiuntiva delle tariffe elettriche per il resto del 2025 e si aspetta che le bollette residenziali combinate di gas ed elettricità rimangano stabili fino al 2025, con una diminuzione prevista nel 2026.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) ha anunciado un compromiso de 50 millones de dólares para ampliar los programas de asistencia financiera para clientes con facturas de energía vencidas. El programa principal es el nuevo Programa Match My Payment, que ofrece una correspondencia dólar por dólar hasta 1,000 dólares para clientes con ingresos bajos a moderados que califiquen.
El Programa Match My Payment amplía significativamente la elegibilidad en comparación con los programas existentes, con un umbral de ingresos de 128,600 dólares para una familia de cuatro. El programa estará vigente hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2025, y PG&E estima que aproximadamente 400,000 clientes podrían calificar para la asistencia.
Además, el programa REACH existente de PG&E continúa proporcionando créditos en la factura de hasta 300 dólares. Los clientes que califican pueden recibir hasta 1,300 dólares en beneficios combinados a través de ambos programas. La compañía informa que en 2024, casi 58,000 clientes recibieron más de 50 millones de dólares en asistencia total a través del programa REACH.
PG&E pronostica que no habrá cambios adicionales en las tarifas eléctricas durante el resto de 2025 y espera que las facturas residenciales combinadas de gas y electricidad se mantengan estables durante 2025 y disminuyan en 2026.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG)는 연체된 에너지 요금 고객을 위한 재정 지원 프로그램을 확대하기 위해 5,000만 달러를 투입한다고 발표했습니다. 핵심 프로그램은 Match My Payment 프로그램으로, 저소득 및 중간소득 고객에게 최대 1,000달러까지 지급액과 동일한 금액을 매칭해줍니다.
Match My Payment 프로그램은 기존 프로그램에 비해 자격 요건이 크게 확대되어, 4인 가족 기준 연소득 128,600달러까지 지원 대상이 포함됩니다. 이 프로그램은 2025년 12월 31일까지 운영되며, PG&E는 약 40만 명의 고객이 지원 자격을 갖출 것으로 예상하고 있습니다.
또한 PG&E의 기존 REACH 프로그램은 최대 300달러의 청구서 크레딧을 계속 제공합니다. 자격을 갖춘 고객은 두 프로그램을 통해 최대 1,300달러의 복합 혜택을 받을 수 있습니다. 회사에 따르면 2024년에는 약 58,000명의 고객이 REACH 프로그램을 통해 5,000만 달러 이상의 지원을 받았습니다.
PG&E는 2025년 남은 기간 동안 추가 전기 요금 인상이 없을 것으로 전망하며, 2025년까지 가스 및 전기 결합 주거 요금이 유지되고 2026년에는 인하될 것으로 예상합니다.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) a annoncé un engagement de 50 millions de dollars pour étendre les programmes d’aide financière destinés aux clients ayant des factures d’énergie impayées. Le programme phare est le nouveau Programme Match My Payment, qui offre une correspondance dollar pour dollar jusqu’à 1 000 dollars pour les clients à revenu faible ou modéré éligibles.
Le Programme Match My Payment élargit considérablement les critères d’éligibilité par rapport aux programmes existants, avec un seuil de revenu de 128 600 dollars pour une famille de quatre personnes. Le programme se déroulera jusqu’au 31 décembre 2025, PG&E estimant qu’environ 400 000 clients pourraient être éligibles à cette aide.
De plus, le programme REACH actuel de PG&E continue de fournir des crédits de facture allant jusqu’à 300 dollars. Les clients éligibles peuvent ainsi bénéficier d’un total pouvant atteindre 1 300 dollars d’avantages combinés grâce aux deux programmes. La société rapporte qu’en 2024, près de 58 000 clients ont reçu plus de 50 millions de dollars d’aide totale via le programme REACH.
PG&E prévoit aucune modification supplémentaire des tarifs électriques pour le reste de l’année 2025 et s’attend à ce que les factures résidentielles combinées de gaz et d’électricité restent stables en 2025 avant de diminuer en 2026.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) hat eine Verpflichtung in Höhe von 50 Millionen US-Dollar angekündigt, um die finanziellen Unterstützungsprogramme für Kunden mit rückständigen Energierechnungen auszuweiten. Das Herzstück ist das neue Match My Payment Programm, das qualifizierten Kunden mit niedrigem bis mittlerem Einkommen eine Dollar-für-Dollar-Matchzahlung bis zu 1.000 US-Dollar bietet.
Das Match My Payment Programm erweitert die Berechtigungsgrenzen im Vergleich zu bestehenden Programmen erheblich, mit Einkommensgrenzen von 128.600 US-Dollar für eine vierköpfige Familie. Das Programm läuft bis zum 31. Dezember 2025, wobei PG&E schätzt, dass etwa 400.000 Kunden Anspruch auf Unterstützung haben könnten.
Zusätzlich stellt PG&Es bestehendes REACH-Programm weiterhin bis zu 300 US-Dollar an Rechnungsgutschriften bereit. Berechtigte Kunden können durch beide Programme zusammen bis zu 1.300 US-Dollar an kombinierten Leistungen erhalten. Das Unternehmen berichtet, dass im Jahr 2024 fast 58.000 Kunden über 50 Millionen US-Dollar an Gesamtunterstützung durch das REACH-Programm erhalten haben.
PG&E prognostiziert keine weiteren Änderungen der Stromtarife für den Rest des Jahres 2025 und erwartet, dass die kombinierten Gas- und Stromrechnungen für Privathaushalte bis 2025 stabil bleiben und 2026 sinken werden.
- New $50 million commitment to financial assistance programs
- Match My Payment Program offers up to $1,000 in matching bill credits
- Higher income thresholds allow more customers to qualify ($128,600 for family of four)
- No additional electric rate changes expected for remainder of 2025
- Bills projected to remain flat in 2025 and decrease in 2026
- Combined benefits of up to $1,300 possible through multiple programs
- 400,000 customers identified as potentially needing payment assistance
- Funding distributed on first-come, first-served basis with limited resources
- Higher summer bills expected due to increased cooling energy usage
Insights
PG&E's $50M bill relief program demonstrates proactive customer support strategy while potentially improving collection rates and reducing bad debt expenses.
PG&E's $50 million commitment to bill assistance programs represents a strategic approach to addressing customer payment challenges while potentially reducing financial risk for the utility. The new Match My Payment Program offers dollar-for-dollar matching up to
This expanded eligibility is particularly noteworthy as it reaches into moderate-income households, potentially helping approximately 400,000 customers. The program design, requiring customers to pay at least
From a utility operations perspective, this initiative likely serves dual purposes: providing genuine customer assistance while simultaneously improving collection rates on outstanding balances. By requiring customers to make partial payments to receive matching funds, PG&E creates incentives for consumers to address arrears that might otherwise become uncollectible.
The timing of this announcement—coinciding with PG&E's forecast of flat rates for the remainder of 2025 and expected decreases in 2026—suggests a comprehensive strategy to stabilize customer relationships and payment patterns. Utilities typically experience higher uncollectible expenses during periods of rate volatility or economic stress. By combining bill assistance with rate stability communications, PG&E appears to be implementing a holistic approach to revenue assurance.
This initiative follows significant assistance distributed in 2024, when nearly 58,000 customers received more than
New PG&E Program Provides Matching Bill Credits of up to
The new PG&E Match My Payment Program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to
Qualifying customers may receive matching payments from PG&E for multiple bill payments throughout the year, up to a maximum match of
Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four making less than
Applicants are required to pay at least
PG&E estimates approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance through the Match My Payment Program. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available resources.
"Our Match My Payment Program is designed to make sure more families receive support when they need it most, especially during the summer months when energy bills can peak," said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "We encourage customers to check their eligibility and apply for the available assistance."
Support also Available through PG&E REACH Program
Customers may also be eligible for bill assistance through the PG&E REACH program, which provides income-eligible customers with a bill credit of up to
Qualifying customers who have already received a
In 2024, nearly 58,000 PG&E customers received more than
PG&E contracts with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) to process customers' applications for program funding.
Additional funding for PG&E's Match My Payment, REACH, and other bill relief programs will be regularly evaluated throughout the year to ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet customers' needs.
Stabilizing Customer Bills
PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the rest of 2025. The company expects residential combined gas and electric bills to be essentially flat for the rest of 2025 and go down in 2026.
Even though bills are stabilizing, customers may see higher bills during the summer months when they use more energy to cool their homes and businesses.
Other Income-eligible Assistance Programs
PG&E has other assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): provides a monthly discount of
20% or more on gas and an average of35% on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers). - Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): new eligibility guidelines provide a monthly discount of
18% on electricity, regardless of household size. - Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): provides energy-savings improvements at no charge.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally-funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to
$1,500 - Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers.
Other programs include Medical Baseline, which offers a reduction on energy bills for customers who depend on power for certain medical needs.
To learn more about PG&E's assistance programs, use a new Savings Finder tool or visit pge.com/billhelp.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
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