Utilities Assistance
Utilities such as gas, electricity, water/sewage, garbage, and telephone are essential for a comfortable and livable home. Listed below are some programs that help make utilities more affordable and efficient. There are also programs that help older adults resolve billing and other problems with utility service providers.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
Billing Options
This program allows customers to pay the same amount each month based on average usage.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: PG&E residential and small-business customers
Phone: (800) 743-5000
By setting up budget billing and custom due dates, SMUD customers can have more control and predictability of their monthly electric bills.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: SMUD customers
Address: 6301 S St., Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: (888) 742-7683
Website: https://www.smud.org/en/Customer-Support/Bill-Pay-Your-Way/Budget-Billing-program-details-modal
Discounts & Financial Assistance
This program provides discounted home and cell phone services to low-income Californians.
Cost: monthly discounted flat rate for telephone service
Who Is Eligible: households in which at least one person is enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program or that meet income-eligibility requirements; see website or contact program for details
Phone: (866) 272-0357
This program provides free specialized phones and accessories for mobile phones for Californians who have a qualifying medical need (e.g., hearing or vision impairment).
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must live in California, have telephone service (landline or mobile), and have a documented medical need for a specialized phone (see website or contact the program for details)
Address: Sacramento CTAP Service Center, 1300 Ethan Way, Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (800) 806-1191
Email: can send message through the Contact Us form on the website
Website: https://californiaphones.org/
Note: clients can test out and pick up equipment at their local CTAP office
This program provides monthly credits to help low-income households pay city water, sewer, and garbage bills.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: City of Sacramento residents who meet income-eligibility requirements (automatically qualified if qualified for SMUD Energy Assistance Program Rate); see website or contact the program for details
Address: City of Sacramento, Department of Utilities Sacramento Utility Rate Assistance, 1395 35th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone: (916) 808-5454
Website: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Utilities/Rate-Assistance-Program
This program offers utility credits to help low-income residents pay utility bills and learn about energy conservation.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must live in Sacramento, Sutter, or Yuba counties and meet income-eligibility requirements; see website or contact the program for details
Address: 250 Harris Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95838
Phone: (916) 567-5200
Email: info@communityresourceproject.org
Website: https://www.communityresourceproject.org/Services/Energy-Programs/HEAP
This program provides low-income customers a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity bills.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Households with at least one resident who participates in a qualifying public assistance program or have income lower than 200% of the federal poverty level, see https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/longer-term-assistance/care/program-guidelines.page for details
Phone: (866) 743-2273
Email: CAREandFERA@pge.com
This program lowers monthly energy bills for households with a resident who depends on power for certain medical needs. Medical Baseline participants can also receive early notice of planned public safety power shutoffs.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: households with a full-time resident who has a qualifying medical condition or requires a qualifying medical device.
Phone: (800) 743-5000
This program provides low-income households temporary assistance paying utility bills during a crisis.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: household must have income less than 200% of the federal poverty level, have received either a 15-day or 48-hour disconnection notice, and have not already received REACH assistance in the past 12 months
Phone: (800) 933-9677
This program helps customers whose life or health would be at risk should their electric or gas service be disconnected for non-payment, find solutions to keep their services running and ways to lower their bills. Households of vulnerable customers receive an in-person visit from a PG&E representative before disconnection.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: household with one or more individuals who have self-certified that they have a serious illness or condition that could become life-threatening if their electric or gas service is disconnected for nonpayment
Phone: (800) 743-5000
FERA provides a monthly discount on electricity bills for low- and middle-income households with three or more residents.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must be a household with three or more people and meet income-eligibility requirements
Phone: (800) 743-5000
Email: CAREandFERA@pge.com
This program provides savings on sewer bills for low-income Regional San customers.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: households in the Regional San service area who meet income-eligibility requirements (automatically qualified if qualified for SMUD’s or PG&E’s low income program), see website or contact the program for details
Address: 10060 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: (916) 875-5500
Website: https://www.regionalsan.com/rate-assistance-program
Sacramento County offers monthly credits to help low-income households pay for water, sewage, and/or waste management.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must reside where utility services from Sacramento County are being delivered and be currently enrolled in SMUD's Energy Assistance Program Rate; only homeowners can qualify for water rate assistance
Address: 9700 Goethe Rd., Suite C, Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: (916) 875-5555
Email: utilities@saccounty.net
Website: http://www.sacutilities.org/Pages/RateAssistance.aspx
The EAPR program provides low-income customers with discounts on monthly electricity bills.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: SMUD customers with household income less than 200% of the federal poverty level, income limits vary by household size
Address: 6301 S St., Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: (888) 742-7683
Website: https://www.smud.org/en/Rate-Information/Low-income-and-nonprofits
This program provides monthly discounts on electric bills for customers whose electricity usage is higher due to necessary medical equipment (e.g., in-home dialysis cycler, electric wheelchair, oxygen concentrator, or extraordinary heating or cooling needs due to a medical condition).
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: a full-time resident of the household must have a medical necessity certified by a licensed professionals
Address: 6301 S St., Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: (888) 742-7683
Email: MedicalDiscount@smud.org
Website: https://www.smud.org/en/Rate-Information/Medical-Equipment-Discount
Efficiency & Conservation
This program offers free WaterSmart classes to help residents learn how to reduce water usage and lower water costs.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 6230 Sylvan Rd., Citrus Heights, CA 95610
Phone: (916) 725-6873
Email: waterefficiency@chwd.org
Website: https://chwd.org/community/#classes
The City of Sacramento offers residents services, information, and incentives to reduce home water consumption, including free expert consultations to identify ways to save water, rebates, no-cost leak repair, and data about personal water usage. Information about how to report water misuse is also provided on the website.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: City of Sacramento residents; other eligibility requirements vary by program
Address: 915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: dial 311 (phone numbers for different water wise services are listed on the website)
Email: 311@cityofsacramento.org
This program provides qualified households with energy- and water-savings products and weatherization services to help lower utility costs.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: household must be in Sacramento, Sutter, or Yuba counties and meet income requirements, see website or contact the program for details
Address: 250 Harris Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95838
Phone: (916) 567-5220
Email: info@cresource.org
Website: https://www.communityresourceproject.org/Services/Free-Energy-Efficiency-Program
The Elk Grove Water District helps customers reduce water usage by providing free information, soil moisture meters, and water use audits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Elk Grove Water District residents (information on website is free to anyone)
Address: 9257 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: (916) 685-3556
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Customers who meet financial eligibility requirements can receive free products or services to increase energy efficiency, such as refrigerator replacement, furnace or water heater repair or replacement, caulking and insulation, weatherproofing, energy-efficient light bulbs, and low-flow showerheads.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: PG&E customers who live in houses, apartments, or mobile homes that are at least five years old and who meet household income limits, see website or contact program for details
Phone: (800) 933-9555
SMUD partners with the Sacramento Tree Foundation to offer customers up to 10 free shade trees each year as well as help with selecting the most appropriate trees and locations.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: SMUD customers and all Sacramento County residents
Phone: (916) 924-8733
Email: shadetrees@sactree.com
Website: https://www.smud.org/en/Going-Green/Free-Shade-Trees
This whole-house efficiency program offers rebates to SMUD customers who take steps to make their homes more efficient, such as upgrading heating and cooling systems. Homeowners work with approved contractors to identify needed improvements and select appropriate upgrade packages.
Cost: homeowners are responsible for the cost of upgrades after the rebate is applied
Who Is Eligible: SMUD customers
Phone: (916) 732-5732
Email: AdvancedHomeSolutions@smud.org
Website: https://www.smud.org/en/Rebates-and-Savings-Tips/Improve-Home-Efficiency
SMUD offers a variety of rebates, products, and tips to help customers make their homes more energy efficient and save money.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: SMUD customers
Help Resolving Issues
This program helps non-English speakers and others understand their PG&E bills, apply for discounted service, and resolve problems.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: targeted to older adults, caregivers, disabled veterans, and people who are non-English speakers
Address: 7334 Park City Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 393-9026 ext. 339
Email: team@accsv.org
Website: https://www.accsv.org/classes/utilities-assistance/
TEAM provides education and assistance to non-English speakers and others to help them understand their phone, internet, or cable bills, find affordable services and apply for discounts, and resolve problems with phone, internet, or cable companies.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: targeted to older adults, caregivers, disabled veterans, and individuals who are non-English speakers
Address: 7334 Park City Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: 916-393-9026 ext. 339
Email: team@accsv.org
Website: https://www.accsv.org/classes/utilities-assistance/
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This page was created by Julie Xiong.