Rate Assistance

1.  LIRA Household: A LIRA household is one for which the total gross income from all persons living in household is less than or equal to the maximum household income level for the CARE programs approved by the Commission. Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) CARE program will be applicable to customers residing within PG&E’s service area. In line with currently authorized water utility low-income assistance programs, the Commission adopted the income eligibility guidelines published annually by the Energy Division applicable to the CARE program (California Alternative Rate for Energy) available to energy customers. The income guidelines used in the CARE programs are based on 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines at different household sizes. Total gross income shall include income from sources, both taxable and non-taxable. The applicant must be who is named on the bill and must not be a person who is claimed as a dependent on another person’s income tax return.LIRA Income Qualification Guidelines (06/01/23 – 05/31/24)

2.  Application and Eligibility Declaration: Proof of active participation in a CARE program or an Application and eligibility declaration on a form authorized by the Commission is required for each Request for service under this schedule. Renewal of a customer’s eligibility declaration may be required consistent with CARE program renewal requirements, but not more often than annually. Customers, excluding qualified non-profit group living facilities, qualified agricultural employee housing facilities, and migrant farm worker housing centers, are eligible to receive service under this rate schedule at no more than on residential location at any one time, and the rate applies only to the customer’s permanent primary residence.

3.  Commencement of Rate: LIRA rates become effective upon Commission approval. After LIRA rates are effective eligible customers shall be billed on this schedule commencing no later than one billing period after receipt and approval of the customer’s application by the Utility.

4.  Verification: Information provided by the applicant is subject to verification by the Utility. Refusal or failure of a customer to provide sufficient documentation of eligibility acceptable to the Utility, upon the request of the Utility, shall result in removal from this rate schedule. Failure to comply with any terms of the LIRA program shall result in removal from this rate schedule.

5.  Notice from Customer: It is the customer’s responsibility to notify the Utility within thirty (30) days if there is a change in the customer’s eligibility status.

6.  Customers may be re-billed for period of ineligibility under the applicable rate schedule.

7.  All bills are subject to the reimbursement fee set forth on Schedule No. UF.