In the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, SDG&E put emergency customer protections in place to help ease the financial burden many Southern Californians were suddenly feeling. We recognize that this is still a challenging time for many customers, but SDG&E wants to help. We have many programs and services that can provide immediate financial assistance and help you avoid service interruptions. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has extended the emergency customer protections to June 30, 2021. Regular program certifications, credit and collection activities, and payment policies will resume as part of normal operations on July 1, 2021. 

We have programs and services
to help you manage bills and
support your energy needs

 

 

COVID relief

Payment Help

If you need immediate financial assistance, these bill discounts and payment programs may be able to help. 

CARE - The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program can provide you with a 30% (or more) monthly discount on your energy bill (electricity and gas). If you’re currently receiving public assistance, or recently lost your job, you may qualify even if you are claiming unemployment benefits.   Find out if you qualify.  

FERA - The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers households of 3 or more people an 18% discount on their monthly electric use. Qualification is based on total household income. If you don’t qualify for CARE, we will automatically check to see if you qualify for the FERA discount. Find out  if you qualify.

Rent and Utility Bill Relief: If you’re a renter who has experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, and meet income guidelines, you may be eligible for rent and utility bill assistance.  Depending on where you live, you may apply to the program administered in your community.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Eligible low-income households may receive a one-time payment of up to $1000. Learn more. 

Medical Baseline (MBL) - Medical devices in your home? We may be able to help. If you need certain medical equipment in your home, our Medical Baseline program provides additional energy at the lowest price to help you save money on your energy costs.  Learn more.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor - The Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund provides up to $150 towards your bill for customers experiencing temporary financial hardship, but who are not eligible for other state and federal assistance. Call 211 to find participating agencies or visit them online.

You can set up Payment Arrangements online through My Account and even on our SDG&E mobile app. 

CARE/FERA Customers

If you have outstanding bills that are past due and are a CARE or FERA customer, you may be eligible for debt forgiveness through our Arrearage Management Payment (AMP) Plan. This plan offers eligible customers help with reducing their past due account balance.

CARE/FERA Activities resuming July 1, 2021

High Energy Use – If your energy use exceeds the standards and are considered high use, you may be removed from the CARE program. Check you energy use in My Account or take a Home Energy Checkup. Learn More. 

Income Verification - We may ask customers to provide proof of eligibility. If verification is needed, we will send a 90-day notification. The first-time customers will have to provide proof of eligibility is September 30, 2021. Submit your income Documentation or proof now.  

Program Recertification - Customers must renew their application to the program every 2 to 4 years. Recertification notices will be sent 90 days before your anniversary date. The first-time you will have to recertify is September 30, 2021. Renew your status now. 

Medical Baseline

Medical Baseline physician certification will resume July 1, 2020. If you're enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program, you will be sent a notification 90 days before your recertification is due.    

Non-Permanent Condition 

If the doctor certifies the medical condition is not permanent, we'll require self-certification of your continued eligibility for the Medical Baseline Allowance each year and completion of a new application with a doctor's certification every two years.  

Permanent Condition 

If the doctor certifies the medical condition is permanent, we'll require completion of a form self-certifying your continued eligibility for the Medical Baseline Allowance every two years.  If you fall into this group, we'll send you a renewal notice in the mail.  Renew Your Application Now  Questions? Email [email protected] 

Resumed Credit & Collection Activities

Activities resuming on July 1, 2021 include:

Credit Activities

  • Normal credit and collection activities, including late notices.
  • Possible disconnections for non-payment - The earliest a disconnection could take place is mid-August.

Community Support

COVID-19 Community Response Fund

To date, we have donated $3 million in shareholder funds to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Respond Fund. This fund helps support local nonprofit groups that provide food, rent and utility payment assistance, as well as resources to overcome the digital divide.

Scam Alert

During scary times, scams aimed at utility customers increase.  We will never call you or email you to demand payment and threaten to disconnect your service if payment isn’t received immediately. Click here for tips on how to spot a scam.

SDG&E Facilities & Operations 

Branch Office Lobbies are Closed

Branch Offices are Closed -To keep our customers and employees safe, we have temporarily closed all our branch office payment locations. We offer many ways you can pay your bill. Click here for other payment options. Additional payment locations in stores may also be closed. If you’re having trouble paying your bill, please call our Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

If paying by check, you can drop payments into our secure drop boxes at all branch locations. For branch locations, please click here.

Energy Innovation Center Closure 

The Energy Innovation Center is closed to the public until further notice. All classes have been moved online or cancelled.

Some programs that require onsite visits to business or homes are still suspended. Where possible, we ask that our customers reach out to us via phone or email.

Business Customers

We recognize that operating a business throughout the pandemic has been very challenging. Shelter-in-place orders have caused many businesses to face financial distress, but we want to help keep your business up and running. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has extended the emergency customer protections to June 30, 2021. Bill collections and disconnection activities for non-payment will resume as part of normal operations on July 1, 2021.Let us help you avoid a service interruption and take steps towards regaining financial health. Set up a payment plan with SDG&E today and rest easy knowing you’re covered.

Small Business* Customers please fill out this information and an energy service specialist will call you back to make a payment arrangement.  

Medium & Large Business** Customers are encouraged to call our Business Contact Center at 1-800-336-7343 to establish payment arrangements.

For more information, please visit sdge.com/recovery.

*Small Customers non-residential customers are defined as demand under 20kW monthly for 12 consecutive months, or annual usage is equal to or less than 40,000 kWh, or 10,000 therms annually during the period of March 2019 through February 2020.

**Medium and large non-residential customers are defined as demand over 20kW monthly for 12 consecutive months, or annual usage is equal to or more than 40,000 kWh, or 10,000 therms annually during the period of March 2019 through February 2020.