More SoCalGas Low-Income Customers Eligible for Bill-Assistance Programs

LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) customer Anne Birthistle says she is grateful for the no-cost energy-efficient home improvements that were made to her Glendale home that will help her save energy and money. She took part in the Energy Savings Assistance Program. She also participates in the CARE program where she receives a 20 percent discount on her natural gas bill every month.

Now, more SoCalGas customers are eligible to take part in these state-sponsored, money-saving, no-cost customer assistance programs as a result of updated income guidelines that went into effect on June 1.

"SoCalGas is committed to enrolling as many of our eligible customers as possible into the assistance programs we offer and wants to spread the word that more customers are now eligible to sign up for these programs," said Rodger Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. "With that in mind, we are currently launching a targeted communications campaign to help get this message out. We know our customers like to receive information in a variety of ways so we are utilizing different channels to reach them, including social media."

CARE: The CARE program provides a 20 percent rate discount on the monthly natural gas bill for eligible households and has already enrolled over 1.5 million customers throughout the SoCalGas service area. Those who qualify and are approved within 90 days of starting new gas service will also receive a $15 discount on the Service Establishment Charge.

Energy Savings Assistance Program: This program provides no-cost, energy-efficient home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include:

• Door weather-stripping and caulking to keep unwanted drafts out of the home;
• Attic insulation to help the home stay cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter;
• Low-flow showerheads that can save energy used to heat water;
• Furnace replacement (owner occupied residences only);
• Other minor home repairs.

There are two ways customers can qualify for the CARE and Energy Savings Program (see below chart). Customers may automatically be eligible if their household income is below the new guidelines or a household member currently receive benefits from any of the following public assistance programs: Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medi-Cal for Families A&B, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF, Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only), Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, CalFresh (Food Stamps), National School Lunch Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). More customers can now qualify for these programs. As of June 1, 2015, the new CARE and Energy Savings Assistance Program income guidelines, based on pre-tax annual income, are as follows:

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Customers can learn more and apply for these and other programs by visiting http://www.socalgas.com/for-your-home/assistance-programs/ or by any of the following:

• Apply for CARE online at https://carescgp.sempra.com/careappl.aspx or by phone (800) 427-2200 or (800) 342-4545 in Spanish.
• Apply for Energy Savings Assistance Program online at http://www.socalgas.com/for-your-home/assistance-programs/esap/form/index.shtml or they can call (800) 331-7593 English and Spanish.

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.4 million consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2014 revenues of $11 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' 17,000 employees serve more than 32 million consumers worldwide. 

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.

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