Utility Assistance Programs
Utility assistance programs helps low-income clients who need assistance paying their utilities, receive discounts, receive assistance during crisis and learn through consumer education how to conserve energy and reduce their energy burdens that results in savings.
These programs include:
- Home Energy Assistance Program
- Energy Crisis Intervention Program or Fast Track
- California Alternative Rates for Energy
- Family Electric Rate Assistance
- California Lifeline Telephone Service
- Weatherization
- Refrigerator Replacement
- Information and Referrals
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
HEAP assists clients who are in need help paying their electric or gas bill. Clients determine which bill they need help. Clients supply information that will be used to determine an established benefit amount which will appear as a credit on the clients’ bill. If the bill is included in the clients rent, the client receives a check in the benefit amount. Assistance is 1 (one) time every 12 months.
Back to TopECIP or F/T (Energy Crisis Intervention Program or Fast Track)
ECIP assists clients who are in crisis of having their electric or gas service disconnected or that their electric or gas has been disconnected. Clients whose utilities are included in their rent DO NOT qualify for ECIP/FT. ECIP/FT pledges are called into the appropriate utility company indicating an application has been processed with the pledge amount to postpone or stop the pending loss of service. If the service is already disconnected, the client is responsible for all deposits and/or reconnection fees.
CARE/FERA (California Alternative Rates for Energy, Family Electric Rate Assistance)
CARE provides discounts on the electric bill or gas bill. The utility company providing the discount will determine if the individual qualifies for CARE or FERA, whichever is the greater savings for the customer.
CLTS (California Lifeline Telephone Service)
CLTS is a discounted rate for local telephone service. 2 (two) plans are available. Unlimited local calls or limited amount of local calls are available. Any long distance, out of the area code or additional phone features are additional charges.
(Minor home repairs to improve the quality of life and health and safety as well as assist in lowering an individual’s electric and gas bills). Needed repairs and/or replacement as well as qualifying measures are determined by a home assessment. Weatherization can be on a single family home, town home, condo, apartment building or mobile homes. Authorization for repairs is required by the owner of the property or an authorized agent for the property. Weatherization services are available 1 (one) time every 10 years. *If weatherization services have been installed previously, there must be a minimum number of new measures to qualify.
A client may qualify, based on guidelines,
for a energy efficient replacement refrigerator at no cost to the client. Replacement consists of removing and disposing of the client’s old refrigerator and replacing with
a new energy efficient unit.
Other programs operated by this department to help low-income populations include:
We also provide referral phone numbers for other agencies who assist with various services for the low-income and/or vulnerable population. The agency also provides application assistance to access other services.
Documentation Required
- Valid CA picture Drivers Licenses or ID
- Valid Social Security card or proof of Social Security number
- Verification of total gross (before taxes) household income for the last 30 days
- Current, within 30 days, gas and electric bills
- Verification of home ownership for weatherization
- Renters will need the owner’s name and phone number
For more information or assistance, please call our multi-lingual toll free hot line at :
For Assistance call: 714-839-6199
