Written by City News Service
Income requirements for state-sponsored programs that lower energy bills and offer free efficiency upgrades for low-income customers have changed, making more people eligible, San Diego Gas & Electric announced Monday.
Under the new guidelines, which went into effect Saturday, families of four can qualify for the California Alternate Rates for Energy and the Energy Savings Assistance programs with an annual household income of $47,100 or less, according to SDG&E.
The income limit operates on a sliding scale depending on the number of family members. The limit for a single customer is now $22,980.
"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.
The CARE program offers qualified customers 20 percent discounts off their bills. More than 300,000 residents in the utility's service area of San Diego and southern Orange counties are enrolled in CARE, while another 50,000 are eligible but not signed up, according to SDG&E.
The ESA program provides low-income customers with home improvements like weather stripping, attic insulation, minor home repairs and replacement of old appliances.
More information on the programs can be found at sdge.com/assistance or inside July bills.Information about CARE is available by calling 211, while details on ESA are at (866) 597-0597.
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