Utility Assistance Programs in San Francisco

This is a listing of utility discounts available in San Francisco as of April 27, 2001. This listing is unofficial and is subject to change without notice. It is provided to interested parties by the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance solely as an indication of discounted rates that may be applicable to those in financial and/or medical need. It is the responsibility of the candidate to contact the listed agencies and determine which programs are currently available and whether they qualify for any and all programs.

PG&E

Customer Service 1-800-743-5000
PG&E offers a number of discounted rate services. They may be used in combination.

• CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy)
CARE is the most cost-saving program for assistance with PG&E bills. Eligibility is based on household income. For those who qualify, CARE provides a 20% discount on PG&E bills plus an exemption from the current (April 2001) 9% interim energy surcharge. Please check with PG&E for any additional residence restrictions. Current household income requirements are:
1-2 persons in household annual income $22,600 or less
3 persons in household annual income $26,600 or less
4 persons in household annual income $32,000 or less
More than 4 persons in household add $5,400 per additional person

• Medical Baseline and Life Support Customers
People who use extra energy to operate life-support equipment or to meet their heating or cooling needs due to a medical condition may be eligible to receive extra Baseline quantities from PG&E. A supporting medical statement is required. An additional 25 therms (gas) plus an additional 500 kilowatt hours (electric) are added to the cheaper baseline allowances per month. Expected savings per month are approximately $5.00 on gas and $7.50 on electric. In some cases the additional baseline amounts may be doubled.

• REACH (Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help) REACH provides one-time energy assistance to customers who have no other way to pay their energy bill. The intent of REACH is to assist low-income customers, particularly the elderly, disabled, sick, working poor, and the unemployed, who experience severe hardships and are unable to pay for their necessary energy needs. The Salvation Army administers REACH. The program has income requirements similar to the CARE program. The maximum assistance a customer may receive is $200. For more information about REACH, call The Salvation Army at 1-800-933-9677, or PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

SBC

Customer Service 1-800-310-2355
Website SBC

Universal Lifeline
SBC offers Universal Lifeline in either flat rate or measured rate services. This information is available in the Customer Guide section of the White Pages. These services are generally ½ the price of the regular services. There is an income qualification of:
1-2 persons in household annual income $19,300 or less
3 persons in household annual income $22,800 or less
more than 3 persons in household add $4,600 per additional person
You may only have one residential telephone line in your household, and that household is your main residence. You may not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s income tax return.

There is a one-time charge of $7.12 to switch to lifeline services. Lifeline users are exempt from the End User/Carrier Line (EUCL) fee of $4.40 per month.

Current rates for Universal Lifeline services are:
$5.34 per month for flat rate
$2.85 for measured rate service
Measured rate includes 60 local calls per month free and additional calls are $0.08 (8 cents) each.

Please note that even if you do not qualify for Universal Lifeline services, the regular measured rate service may be an option for you. Current price is $5.70 per month vs. $10.69 per month for flat rate service. Measured rate gives you 60 un-timed calls per month with additional calls $0.08 (8 cents) each. The $4.40 per month End User/Carrier Line (EUCL) fee is not exempted.
San Francisco Water Department
Customer Service 415-923-2400
The San Francisco Water Department does not currently offer discounted rates