Programs available for energy assistance

Help from

Southern California Edison

•The CARE Program offers income-qualified customers a 20 percent discount on their monthly bills. To qualify, customers must meet program income guidelines. For more information, call (800) 447-6620.

•Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) provides a discounted rate on the monthly bill to qualifying households that exceed their baseline electric usage by 30 to 100 percent. To qualify, the household must include at least three permanent residents, and total household income must meet eligibility guidelines. For more information, call (800) 798-5723.

•Summer Discount Plan- Save money and conserve energy by joining SCE's Summer Discount Plan and receive a credit on summer electric bills. For more information, call (800) 684-8123.

•The Energy Management Assistance program helps incomequalified households conserve energy and reduce electricity costs. SCE pays all the costs of purchasing and installing energy-efficient appliances and equipment, which are free to eligible customers. For more information, call (800) 736-4777

•Level Pay Plan- SCE's Level Pay Plan helps customers budget their electric bills by allowing them to pay the same amount each month, based on their electricity usage during the previous year. For information, call (800) 950-2356.

•The Energy Assistance Fund- The Energy Assistance Fund helps qualified customers in financial hardship with winter electric bills. For more information, call (866) 675-6623.

•Medical Baseline Allocation- Those who require the regular use of electrically operated lifesupport equipment may be eligible for a Medical Baseline Allocation, which allows a lower rate for electric service. For information, call (800) 684-8123.

•Friendly Reminder Notification- With this program, a customer selects a friend, relative or other person whom SCE will contact if the electric bill becomes past due. This person can then remind the other person the bill is due. For information, call (800) 950-2356.

•Home Energy Survey- SCE offers a free do-it-yourself home energy survey.

This provides recommendations and practical steps to reduce energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of your home. For more information, call (800) 3627413.

•The LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps qualified families pay their utility bills.

These funds are usually distributed through local communitybased organizations. For more information, call the California Dept. of Community Services and Development at (866) 675-6623.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sets guidelines, updated every year, for the annual household income that qualifies customers for EMA, CARE and FERA program services. These guidelines are based on federal and state government standards.

Customers can enroll in the EMA and/or the CARE program if the combined gross annual income of all household members is equal to or less than the amounts shown in the chart on page 10.