More Low-Income SoCalGas Customers Eligible for Bill-Assistance Programs
Increased Income Guidelines Expand Eligibility

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) customer Consuelo Torres, a single mother of two girls in Lennox, Calif., says she is grateful that the company, along with the Maravilla Foundation, replaced the original heater in her 1935 home during a cold spell earlier this year. Keith Barton, another SoCalGas customer, also had work done in his North Hollywood, Calif., home. They took part in the Energy Savings Assistance Program.  Now, more SoCalGas customers are eligible to take part in these state-sponsored, money-saving, no-cost customer assistance programs as a result of updated income guidelines that went into effect on June 1.

"SoCalGas is committed to enrolling as many of our eligible customers as possible into our assistance programs," said Rodger Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. "With that in mind, we are currently launching a targeted communications campaign to help get this message out. We know our customers like to receive information in a variety of ways so we are utilizing different channels to reach them, including social media."

CARE: The CARE program provides a 20 percent rate discount on the monthly natural gas bill for eligible households and has already enrolled about 1.7 million customers throughout the SoCalGas service area. Those who qualify and are approved within 90 days of starting new gas service will also receive a $15 discount on the Service Establishment Charge.

Energy Savings Assistance Program: This program provides no-cost, energy-efficient home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include:

  • Door weather-stripping and caulking to keep unwanted drafts out of the home;
  • Attic insulation to help the home stay cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter;
  • Low-flow showerheads that can save energy used to heat water;
  • Furnace replacement (owner occupied residences only);
  • Other minor home repairs.

Customers may automatically be eligible if their household income is below the new guidelines below or a household member currently receive benefits from any of the following programs: Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medi-Cal for Families A&B, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF, Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only), Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, CalFresh (Food Stamps), National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). More customers can now qualify for these programs. As of June 1, 2014, the new CARE and Energy Savings Assistance Program income guidelines, based on pre-tax annual income, are as follows:

Household

New Income Guidelines

(2014-15)

1-2

$31,460

3

$39,580

4

$47,700

5

$55,820

6

$63,940

7

$72,060

8

$80,180

For each additional household member, add $8,120

Customers can learn more and apply for these programs by visiting http://www.socalgas.com/for-your-home/assistance-programs/or by any of the following:

In addition to CARE and the Energy Savings Assistance Program, SoCalGas also offers other programs. The Gas Assistance Fund helps provide a one-time grant to customers during the winter who are income-qualified and unable to pay their bill. The Medical Baseline Allowance program assists customers who have a person in their home with certain medical conditions that may require additional heating to sustain their health. There are no income requirements for The Medical Baseline Allowance program; however doctor certification is required for this program which offers natural gas at the lowest baseline rate.

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.

Southern California Gas Co. is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.9 million consumers through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy.

 

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.

For further information: Anne Silva, Southern California Gas Co., 24-Hour Media Hotline: 877.643.2331, socalgas.com/news-room, @SoCalGasNews