GAS ASSISTANCE FUND
Bridge Services
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced a $1 million contribution to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bills beginning Jan. 17. Customers will be facing bills that could be double or higher compared to last year’s winter bills.
The high bills are a result of historically high natural gas prices in the western United States. SoCalGas doesn’t set the price for natural gas. Instead, natural gas prices are determined by national and regional markets. SoCalGas buys natural gas in those markets on behalf of residential and small business customers, and the cost of buying that gas is billed to those customers with no markup, meaning SoCalGas does not profit from gas commodity prices going up.
To help customers manage energy usage and possibly save on bills, SoCalGas recommends the following
tips:
• Lowering your thermostat three to five degrees – if health permits – can save up to 10 percent
on heating costs.
• Installing proper caulking and weather-stripping can save roughly 10 to 15 percent on heating
and cooling bills.
• Washing clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water heating costs.
• Considering turning down the temperature on your water heater.
• Limiting use of non-essential natural gas appliances such as spas and fireplaces.
SoCalGas’ free Ways to Save tool may also help customers find ways to save on natural gas bills, with a personalized savings plan that offers a household energy analysis, customized energy-efficiency recommendations, bill comparisons and energy usage comparisons.
Ways to Save can be found at www.socalgas.com/waystosave and https://www.socalgas.com/save-money-and-energy/assistance-programs/gas-assistance-fund.
Customers can also sign up for weekly Bill Tracker Alerts to monitor gas consumption, take steps to reduce usage, and avoid bill surprises. Alerts are sent through email or text and include a bill-to-date and projected next bill amount to help manage energy bills as easily as possible. Eligible customers may also sign up for a Level Pay Plan (LPP), which averages their annual natural gas use and costs over 12 months. SoCalGas also encourages individuals who are experiencing hardship to explore the many bill payment or assistance programs options it offers or to call 1-800-427-2200.
Customers may be eligible for one of many assistance programs including:
• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Eligible participants can save 20 percent on their
natural gas bill. Socalgas.com/CARE
• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP): Eligible customers can save energy and money through professional home improvements at no cost. Socalgas.com/Improvements
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): Eligible customers can apply to have their past due balance forgiven. Learn more at www.socalgas.com/forgiveness.
For more information on the various programs, please call:
English 1-877-238-0092
Español 1-800-342-4545
國語 1-800-427-1429
粵語 1-800-427-1420
한국어 1-800-427-0471
Tiếng Việt 1-800-427-0478
For other languages 1-888-427-1345
Hearing impaired (TDD) 1-800-252-0259
This message is brought to you by SVMC’s Bridge Services Team. Our approach to improve the health of our community and enhance access to care is to provide healthcare education, work collaboratively with community partners and to make a positive impact on social determinants of health. Learn more by visiting www.sierra-view.com/BridgeServices
