With natural gas prices in California reaching record highs this winter, customers in the San Diego area are feeling the financial strain and some are having difficulty paying their monthly utility bills.
If you have fallen behind, a federal program can help and you can attend three upcoming meetings in the next few days to complete an application.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program , called LIHEAP for short, is a federally funded program that helps utility customers across the country who are behind in paying their bills.
And the amount of money available to a qualifying client can be substantial, ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000, depending on income level, family size and balance owed. LIHEAP grants do not have to be repaid and are available to both renters and homeowners.
The federal program is overseen by LIHEAP
The program is overseen by the California Department of Community Development and Services and LIHEAP funds are administered at the local level by a pair of non-profit organizations: Campesinos Unidos and the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee.
Legal U.S. residents who are responsible for a residence’s energy costs are eligible, provided they are behind on their utility bills and meet the program’s income guidelines. LIHEAP is open to qualifying San Diego Gas & Electric customers, as well as customers of the region’s two community-elected energy programs – San Diego Community Power and Clean Energy Alliance.
The federal government has allocated $10 million to help customers in SDG&E’s service territory between 2021 and 2023. About $7 million of the $10 million is expected to expire on June 30, so potential recipients are urged to apply as soon as possible.
The guidelines are adjusted according to the number of members in a household. For a family of four, for example, it is an annual income of $62,313. For a household of one, it is an annual income of $32,402.
Documents required for application
To complete an application, the following documentation is required:
- Identification of the applicant and a printed copy of the Social Security card 2.
- Proof of income for all household members over the age of 18 for the last 30 days (pay stubs, award letters, etc.)
- If applicable, proof of any assistance (i.e., food stamps, cash assistance, WIC).
- Household members with no income must be present to sign an affidavit.
California taxpayers experienced a dramatic increase in the wholesale price of natural gas in January, hence the importance of requesting help at this challenging time for the United States economy.