Customers can apply  online , mail in an  application  or call customer support during business hours at  800-447-6620

 

Income-Based Programs Help Customers Lower Electric Bills
By Felix Hernandez

 

Velma Quinn, a 40-year Southern California Edison customer, still recalls her father saying, “Make sure that when you get a bill, pay the bill."

Quinn, a retired widow who enjoys volunteering at her church’s community food program, credits the  California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program for helping her to heed her father’s words by paying her electricity bill on time.

CARE is an income-based financial assistance program that helps qualifying individuals and households of two or more lower their monthly energy bills. Participating customers receive a discount on their electric bill of approximately 30%.

“I’m retired. If I can save any money anywhere, I would like that,” said Quinn, who was introduced to the program by  Village Solutions , a faith-based community organization partnered with SCE.

CARE is just one of the programs SCE provides to customers based on their household size and income. The  Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)  program offers a discount on electric bills of approximately 18% for qualifying families and households of three or more.

Quinn has also taken advantage of SCE’s  Energy Savings Assistance (ESA)  program to obtain energy-efficient LED lights for her cozy apartment and a new, more energy-efficient refrigerator.

The ESA program helps customers conserve energy and save money. Customers may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances at zero cost or for a reduced charge. If a customer qualifies, SCE will cover the purchase and installation costs of new energy-efficient appliances such as a washing machine, heat pump, refrigerator, and lighting.

“I would recommend these programs to anyone who qualifies,” Quinn said. “I’m happy that SCE has these programs available for customers.”

To qualify for CARE, FERA or other income-qualified programs offered by SCE, customers must meet  federal income guidelines  that take effect June 1.

Customers can apply  online , mail in an  application  or call customer support during business hours at  800-447-6620 . A single application takes just a few minutes to complete. No additional documentation is required upon enrollment.

To learn more about SCE’s programs to help residential customers manage their bills, visit  sce.com/billassistance .