PG&E Allocates $50 Million for Enhanced Financial Relief to Customers Struggling with Unpaid Energy Bills
PG&E's Commitment to Customer Assistance
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a prominent utility provider in California, is taking significant steps to support its customers facing financial difficulties due to past-due energy bills. The company has announced a commitment of $50 million dedicated to both existing and new financial assistance programs aimed at helping eligible customers manage their energy expenses more effectively.
One of the highlights of this initiative is the launch of the new Match My Payment Program. This program is designed to support low-to-moderate income customers by matching their payments dollar for dollar, up to a cap of $1,000. This matching support can help customers avoid service disconnections and provide much-needed relief during financially taxing times.
Eligible customers can access this matching assistance for multiple bill payments throughout the year. For instance, if a customer applies for support in June, they can apply again in October if they find themselves struggling with payments once more, up until the program's conclusion on December 31, 2025. Qualification for this support is primarily based on federal income guidelines, which notably have been adjusted to ensure that more families can access these essential funds. A four-person household earning less than $128,600 annually, for example, would qualify for this program, a significant increase compared to the $62,400 limit established under the existing REACH program.
To participate in the Match My Payment Program, applicants must make an initial payment of at least $50 towards their outstanding balance and have a minimum past due amount of $100. PG&E estimates that approximately 400,000 customers may be eligible for this financial support, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, emphasizing a timely response from those in need.
Support Through the REACH Program
In addition to the new matching program, the existing REACH program continues to provide vital assistance to customers. This program offers eligible families a bill credit of up to $300 based on their past-due amount. Particularly for those who have received disconnection notices, emergency assistance is also available. Customers who previously received a $300 grant through REACH in 2025 will be pre-qualified for additional support from the Match My Payment Program, potentially combining benefits for a maximum allowance of $1,300 towards their outstanding bills.
Last year, PG&E reported that nearly 58,000 customers benefited from over $50 million provided through the REACH program, thanks to increased assistance allocations aimed at meeting rising demand from struggling families.
Outlook on Utility Rates and Other Assistance
Looking ahead, PG&E does not anticipate any changes in electric rates for the remainder of 2025, and customers can expect their combined gas and electric bills to stabilize, with projections showing potential decreases in 2026. However, as energy usage typically increases during the summer due to higher cooling needs, customers may still experience elevated bills during this period despite overall bill stabilization.
In addition to the Match My Payment and REACH programs, PG&E offers a variety of income-eligible assistance initiatives. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, for instance, provides a minimum 20% discount on gas and an average of 35% on electricity. Other programs, such as the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program, offer further discounts and improvements to help households manage their energy consumption more effectively.
To learn more about the available assistance options, customers can utilize PG&E’s Savings Finder tool on their website or visit pge.com/billhelp for more comprehensive information regarding all available support programs.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is a subsidiary of PGE Corporation, providing both natural gas and electric utility services across Northern and Central California to an extensive customer base of over 16 million individuals. For further insights and updates on PG&E’s initiatives, explore pge.com or follow their news section at pge.com/news.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a prominent utility provider in California, is taking significant steps to support its customers facing financial difficulties due to past-due energy bills. The company has announced a commitment of $50 million dedicated to both existing and new financial assistance programs aimed at helping eligible customers manage their energy expenses more effectively.
One of the highlights of this initiative is the launch of the new Match My Payment Program. This program is designed to support low-to-moderate income customers by matching their payments dollar for dollar, up to a cap of $1,000. This matching support can help customers avoid service disconnections and provide much-needed relief during financially taxing times.
Eligible customers can access this matching assistance for multiple bill payments throughout the year. For instance, if a customer applies for support in June, they can apply again in October if they find themselves struggling with payments once more, up until the program's conclusion on December 31, 2025. Qualification for this support is primarily based on federal income guidelines, which notably have been adjusted to ensure that more families can access these essential funds. A four-person household earning less than $128,600 annually, for example, would qualify for this program, a significant increase compared to the $62,400 limit established under the existing REACH program.
To participate in the Match My Payment Program, applicants must make an initial payment of at least $50 towards their outstanding balance and have a minimum past due amount of $100. PG&E estimates that approximately 400,000 customers may be eligible for this financial support, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, emphasizing a timely response from those in need.
Support Through the REACH Program
In addition to the new matching program, the existing REACH program continues to provide vital assistance to customers. This program offers eligible families a bill credit of up to $300 based on their past-due amount. Particularly for those who have received disconnection notices, emergency assistance is also available. Customers who previously received a $300 grant through REACH in 2025 will be pre-qualified for additional support from the Match My Payment Program, potentially combining benefits for a maximum allowance of $1,300 towards their outstanding bills.
Last year, PG&E reported that nearly 58,000 customers benefited from over $50 million provided through the REACH program, thanks to increased assistance allocations aimed at meeting rising demand from struggling families.
Outlook on Utility Rates and Other Assistance
Looking ahead, PG&E does not anticipate any changes in electric rates for the remainder of 2025, and customers can expect their combined gas and electric bills to stabilize, with projections showing potential decreases in 2026. However, as energy usage typically increases during the summer due to higher cooling needs, customers may still experience elevated bills during this period despite overall bill stabilization.
In addition to the Match My Payment and REACH programs, PG&E offers a variety of income-eligible assistance initiatives. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, for instance, provides a minimum 20% discount on gas and an average of 35% on electricity. Other programs, such as the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program, offer further discounts and improvements to help households manage their energy consumption more effectively.
To learn more about the available assistance options, customers can utilize PG&E’s Savings Finder tool on their website or visit pge.com/billhelp for more comprehensive information regarding all available support programs.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is a subsidiary of PGE Corporation, providing both natural gas and electric utility services across Northern and Central California to an extensive customer base of over 16 million individuals. For further insights and updates on PG&E’s initiatives, explore pge.com or follow their news section at pge.com/news.
Topics Financial Services & Investing）
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