PG&E Reminds Customers of Ongoing Support Available to Help with the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) is actively supporting customers during the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining crucial customer protection measures. These include a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment and waiving security deposits for small commercial clients, set to continue until April 16, 2021. The company helped nearly 200,000 customers enroll in the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE), raising total enrollment to over 1.57 million. PG&E encourages customers to utilize various financial assistance programs for energy cost management.
- Moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment remains in effect until April 16, 2021.
- Nearly 200,000 customers enrolled in the CARE Program this year, totaling over 1.57 million.
- Waiving security deposits for small commercial customers.
- None.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As COVID-19 cases rise throughout the state, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) continues to offer support in numerous ways for customers navigating the unprecedented pandemic and reminds our customers that we’re here to help.
“We immediately took action earlier this year to provide support for customers financially impacted by the pandemic and all of those protections remain in place as we move into 2021. We are also reminding customers about the various resources and programs we have available to help them lower their energy costs,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s Chief Customer Officer and a Senior Vice President.
Actions to Protect Customers
PG&E intends on maintaining the following customer protections through April 16, 2021:
- Moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment for residential and small commercial customers;
- Post-enrollment verification and re-enrollment requirements have been suspended for the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (FERA);
- Security deposits are being waived for small commercial customers (residential customers are not required to submit security deposits);
- Customers on the Medical Baseline program offering customers with qualifying medical conditions a lower monthly rate on energy bills are not being asked to re-certify through a doctor or other eligible medical professionals for up to one year.
PG&E helped almost 200,000 customers enroll in the CARE program this year providing income-qualified customers with a monthly discount. At the end of October, more than 1.57 million PG&E customers were enrolled in CARE, compared to the 1.39 million enrolled at the end of February prior to the shelter-at- home mandates.
More Energy Saving Resources and Financial Assistance Programs
To take advantage of additional programs, tools and savings opportunities, PG&E recommends customers become more familiar with the following:
-
Separate from CARE, income-qualified households with three or more persons can apply for the FERA at pge.com/FERA for an
18% discount on their electric bill. -
Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) provides income- qualified customers with financial assistance during times of hardship. Customers impacted by COVID-19 will be provided with up to an additional
$100 in bill payment assistance through April 16, 2021.The program is funded by PG&E through tax-deductible contributions from customers and employees. To donate, click here. - The federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to help offset eligible household energy costs, including heating, cooling and home weatherization expenses. To learn more, dial 211 or (866) 675-6623 for LIHEAP income guidelines and a list of participating agencies.
- Convenient ways to pay that can help better manage energy costs. Start by logging onto your PG&E online account to monitor energy use and check or compare your rate plan. Explore programs, like Budget Billing to help avoid or manage unanticipated high bills.
Active COVID-19 Protocols
As always, the safety of our customers and employees is PG&E’s most important responsibility. As our field crews perform critical safety and maintenance work as well as follow COVID-19 protocols including wearing face-coverings and respecting social distancing guidelines, we ask our customers to do the same. Your actions can keep our workforce healthy and safe as we continue to maintain and safely operate gas and electric services for our customers.
For more information on PG&E’s response to the virus visit pge.com/covid19/.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 24,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
