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Green My Home |
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greens, go green,
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home, green house, Rocklin, green building, going green,
green energy, world,
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Discount Programs Available through your Local Utility Company.
Almost all the nation’s utility companies – gas, electric and phones – sponsor programs for low-in-come consumers that
could cut rates by 20 percent or more.
You don’t have to be destitute either. A temporary job loss can qualify you for some relief. There are
programs for low-income consumers that are funded by all
ratepayers. You have to ask about them. When it
comes to electric and gas programs, 40 states including
California have state-sponsored consumer advocates for
utility customers. These state offices can be the first stop
for those needing help with all types of utility bills. A directory
of the advocate offices is available through the National
Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. Many of the
Programs are listed below. The federal
government also sponsors the low-income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps income-qualified
individuals pay heat and electric bills. The
difficulty for consumers is that the funds are distributed
through local community organizations and government
agencies that are not always easy to find. However,
utilities themselves are generally familiar with all of the
options affecting their customers. Most provide information
on their web sites and through consumer help lines. But you
have to be proactive and call them to get the assistance. California
Alternate Rate for Energy, or CARE provides discounts of 20
percent or more for income-qualifying customers on both gas
and electric bills. The income limits for program like CARE
typically are tied to the federal poverty guidelines or to
average income in your area. In this case, a single rate
payer would qualify if he or she earns up to $30,500
annually; a family of four would qualify with up to $43,200
in income.
PG&E Reduced Rate Programs; CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) Rate for Low-Income Program provides a 20% discount on your monthly gas and/or electric bill for qualifying households. You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free (866) 743-2273. Website: www.pge.com/care INCOME GUIDELINES 1 or 2 persons $30,500 annually 3 persons $35,800 annually 4 persons $43,200 annually 5 persons $50,600 annually 6 persons $58,000 annually Each additional person $ 7,400 annually Medical Baseline Allowance for disabled persons with special heating/air-conditioning needs or medical equipment. Requires physician’s certificate of essential need. For an application callToll Free (866) 743-2273.FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance: Program provides savings on your electric bill for large households of three or more persons with low-to-middle income. The PG&E bill must be in your name. You must live at the address where the discount will be received..You cannot have an outstanding bill when applying for Reduced Monthly Rates programs. For an application call Toll Free (800) 743-5000. Website: www.pge.com/feraINCOME GUIDELINES 1 or 2 persons Not Eligible 3 persons $35,801 - $44,800 annually 4 persons $43,201 - $54,000 annually 5 persons $50,601 - $63,200 annually 6 persons $58,001 - $72,400 annually Each additional person $7,400 - $9,200 annually California Lifeline Telephone Program Qualified households could save 50 percent on their monthly basic phone bill, plus they do not pay certain monthly surcharges and fees. Contact the LifeLine Call Center for general information about the California LifeLine program. The LifeLine Call Center can also help find telephone companies that offer California LifeLine and connect consumers to these California LifeLine approved telephone companies. Toll Free: English (866) 272-0349 Spanish (866) 272-0350 Website: www.californialifeline.com
INCOME GUIDELINES 1-2 people $24,000 annually 3 people $28,200 annually 4 people $34,000 annually Each additional person $ 5,800 annually
SMUD Reduced Rate Programs Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR): Qualified customers that meet the income guidelines for EAPR will save more than 30 percent on their monthly electric bill. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free at (866) 742- SMUD (7683). Website: www.smud.orgINCOME GUIDELINES 1 to 2 persons $30,500 annually/ $2,542 monthly 3 persons $35,800 annually/ $2,983 monthly 4 persons $43,200 annually/ $3,600 monthly 5 persons $50,600 annually/ $4,217 monthly 6 persons $58,000 annually/ $4,833 monthly Each additional person $ 7,400 annually/ $ 617 monthly
Medical Equipment Discount or MED Rate: If you or a full-time resident of your household requires an electrically powered device for medical reasons, SMUD's MED RATE can save you more than 30 percent on your monthly electric bill. For an application in either English or Spanish, call Toll Free (888) 742-7683. Website: www.smud.orgBudget Bill: Customers with higher winter or summer bills can request to have their annual bills divided into 12 monthly payments. Call Toll Free at (888) 742-7683. Website: www.smud.org
ONCE A YEAR PROGRAMS Homeowner and Renter Assistance (California Franchise Tax Board) Provides partial rebate of property taxes (or portion of rent presumed to be paid for taxes). Filing period: Begins July 1 Not Accepting Applications At This Time Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind. Household Income: $44,096 or less For an application call Toll Free (800) 868-4171. Website: www.ftb.ca.gov
Property Tax Postponement (California State Controller) Provides for postponement of property taxes until person moves, sells, dies, or changes title. Filing period: July 1- October 15 Program Is Currently Suspended Eligibility: Age 62 or disabled or blind Income: $37,119 maximum annually Call Toll Free (800) 952-5661. Website: www.sco.ca.gov Sacramento City Utility Users Rebate of Utility Tax Filing period: January 1 – March 16, 2009 Eligibility: Sacramento City residents Income: less than $25,000 annually For an application call (916) 808-7736 Need proof of paid utility tax, proof of income, picture ID and copy of utility bill
Sewer Lifeline Rate Assistance Program (SLRAP)
The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD) offers eligible low-income customers a discount on their sewer bills. Customers can save up to $100 per year on the Regional portion of their sewer bill. No need to reapply for five years. Call (916) 875-5000 or go online to apply. Website: www.sewerlifeline.com
INCOME GUIDELINES 1 to 2 persons $35,313 annually/$2,859 monthly 3 persons $40,275 annually/$3,356 monthly 4 persons $48,600 annually/$4,050 monthly 5 persons $56,925 annually/$4,746 monthly 6 persons $65,250 annually/$5,438 monthly Each additional person $ 8,325 annually/$694 monthly 
Energy Specialist for the Greater Sacramento, California area. Phone: 916-709-4935
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