Multiplying Aid: REACH Triple Match Provides Energy Bill Assistance to Larger Group of Income-Eligible PG&E Customers

PR Newswire

Qualifying Customers Can Receive Up to $1,000 Bill Credit by Making a Payment

OAKLAND, Calif. , April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To help support more customers facing past-due energy bills, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is expanding the eligibility requirements and benefits offered by the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program. The REACH program helps qualifying customers pay their past-due energy bill to prevent service disconnections.

The REACH Triple Match program provides customers who make a payment with a bill credit to help further reduce their balance. The program broadens the eligible customers who can receive a 3 to 1 match. For example, a household of four with an income of $120,000 a year could qualify for assistance.

REACH Triple Match requires low-to moderate-income customers to make a payment before matching it threefold, providing up to a $1,000 bill credit. For example, if a customer makes a payment of $100 , REACH will match that with a bill credit of $300 , for a total credit of $400 .

Income guidelines and information on how to apply is online here .

PG&E recently contributed $55 million to support the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF), marking an expansion of the REACH program. This contribution is funded through PG&E and not customer rates.

More than $8.2 million in bill assistance has already been provided to qualifying PG&E customers this year. DEF operates separately from PG&E and is responsible for distributing funds to PG&E customers.

"PG&E is committed to providing tangible bill relief to more households," said Vincent Davis , Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "Through REACH Triple Match, we want to help ensure equitable access to essential energy services."

REACH Triple Match Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must have an active PG&E residential account in their name
• Have a minimum past due balance of $200
• Must meet specific income guidelines
• Have not received REACH funding within the past 12 months
• Minimum payment of $50 required
• Customer payment plus matching funds may not exceed customer's outstanding balance

Dollar Energy Fund

The Dollar Energy Fund , a nonprofit entity, administers the funding for the REACH program, operating 170 offices across Northern and Central California . PG&E customers, including those in need of in-language support or help with their applications, can contact an agency in their county or apply online at www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp . Applicants can also call 1-800-933-9677 for assistance.

Other PG&E Assistance Programs

PG&E has several other assistance programs to help customers who are behind on their energy bills. Billing assistance programs include:

• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) : provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity for households of three or more people.
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) : a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers who may have experienced pandemic-related hardship.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) : a federally funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to $1,000 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California . For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company