The SFPUC recognizes the hardships customers may be facing as a result of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sheltering in place at home. Since the City’s Public Health Order to stay at home went into effect, the CleanPowerSF program has seen about a 7% increase in residential electricity usage across San Francisco.

More energy use at home may mean higher electricity bills for some customers. To help support customers during this time, CleanPowerSF is offering financial assistance and discount programs that can help customers save on their bills. Customers can qualify for some discount programs even if receiving unemployment benefits.

Here are some of the discount programs available to CleanPowerSF customers:

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 35% on your monthly electricity bill and 20% on monthly gas bill. To qualify, customers must meet income requirements or participate in certain public assistance programs (such as Medicaid or SNAP). Learn if you are CARE-eligible and can pre-qualify by texting “CARE” to 20283 and answering a few questions.
• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: Save 18% on your monthly electricity bill. To qualify, you must be a household of three or more people and meet income requirements. Learn if you are FERA-eligible and can pre-qualify by texting “FERA” to 20283 and answering a few questions.
• Medical Baseline: Receive additional electricity and/or gas per month at no extra cost if you or someone in your household is dependent on electrically powered medical equipment.
• Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH): Provides income-qualified customers with financial assistance during times of hardship. REACH has the same income requirements as CARE.

Income requirements for these programs reflect your household’s current income as of today, not your income from a previous tax return or before your circumstances may have changed. Please apply based on your estimated 2020 income.

More information can be found at cleanpowersf.org/loweryourbill or call (415) 554-0773.