PG&E expands energy bill assistance and REACH program for more customers

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) -- PG&E announced Friday that more Central Coast customers can qualify for up to a $2,000 bill credit under new guidelines.

The Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) and REACH Triple Match programs are especially designed for households needing financial assistance with past-due energy bills. PG&E said that they will be modifying guidelines mid-year for that program and will also help prevent service disconnections.

“We want to ensure more customers have the support they need to get their energy bills back on track,” said Teresa Alvarado, vice president for PG&E’s south bay and central coast region. “Under the new guidelines we anticipate another 65,000 customers may now can qualify for REACH and REACH Triple Match assistance.”

Beginning last January, PG&E said that close to 1,700 applications have been approved on the Central Coast, which has resulted in financial assistance of more than $990,600. Santa Cruz County has approved 521 applications, Monterey County has approved 1,122 and San Benito County has approved 46 applications, according to PG&E.

PG&E also said that they have provided more than $17.2 million in financial assistance to more than 25,000 income-eligible customers through REACH and REACH Triple Match since last January.

Households looking to apply for these PG&E rate reduction programs should see how they qualify below:

• Bill Credit Doubled: The maximum customer bill credit that can be applied to a past-due balance has increased from $1,000 to $2,000 for REACH and REACH Triple Match.
• Increased Income Limit: A larger pool of income-eligible customers now qualifies for REACH Triple Match (ex, a family of four making up to $156,000/year could qualify for assistance).
• Past-due Balance Amount: Qualifying customers can now participate in the program regardless of their past due balance, which was previously capped at $2,000, and customers on a payment plan are also now eligibility.
• Additional Benefits Available for 2024 Recipients: Qualifying customers who already participated in REACH or REACH Triple Match will be offered the opportunity to participate a second time under the new guidelines, with up to a $2,000 total benefit available for 2024.

For more information, including how to apply for one of these programs, is available on PG&E's website.