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SDG&E income guidelines change to help more low-income customers

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More San Diego Gas & Electric customers are now eligible to save 20 percent on their bill and receive energy efficient home improvements due to new income guidelines that went into effect June 1.

The income guidelines raise the maximum income for a one-person household to $22,980 and $47,100 for a family of four. Families within the guidelines may enroll in the money-saving, state-sponsored assistance programs California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

“Our goal is to help enroll as many eligible customers in our assistance programs as possible, so that they can benefit from the savings on their energy bill,” said Caroline Winn, vice president of customer services for SDG&E.

Customers who enroll in the CARE program may qualify for a discount of 20 percent on their SDG&E bill. The average customer can save $275 each year.

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides free home improvements and appliances that can make homes more comfortable and energy-efficient. This year the program aims to provide home improvements to approximately 20,000 households — improvements such as weather stripping, attic insulation, minor home repairs and replacement of appliances.

For customers who are recently unemployed, household income is calculated from the date of unemployment.

Customers can apply for the programs in any of the following ways:

•Call 2-1-1 and ask about the CARE Program;

•Call the Energy Savings Assistance Program toll-free enrollment line at 866-597-0597;

•Log on to www.sdge.com/assistance;

•Look inside their July SDG&E bill for more information.

In addition to the CARE Program and Energy Savings Assistance Program, SDG&E offers other assistance programs, such as reduced energy costs for customers with certain medical conditions/equipment and payment extensions for those who need extra help:

•Medical Baseline: Provides additional baseline allowance (electricity and gas at the lowest rate) for customers who have medical conditions/equipment that impact their bill;

•Neighbor-to-Neighbor: This fund provides a grant to help customers pay their gas and electric bills;

•Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): Provides lower rates for large households of three or more persons;

•Level Payment Plan: Allows for monthly payments to be spread equally throughout the year.

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