Financial Assistance & COVID-19 Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many us financially and DCE is here to help. Whether you are a residential or commercial customer, there are many programs available to help you save. If your financial status has changed, you may be eligible for programs such as CARE (California Alternative Rates for Energy), FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) and Medical Baseline Allowance are available to Desert Community Energy customers through Southern California Edison (SCE). If you currently participate in CARE, FERA, or similar financial assistance programs, your status will not change when you're enrolled in Desert Community Energy. Customers on our Carbon Free plan can also save by opting down to the Desert Saver plan by clicking here or calling customer service at (855) 357-9240 Monday through Friday between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. PST.
Please take look at the various financial assistance programs below to determine which are the best for you.
Monthly Discount Programs
CARE & FERA are SCE discount programs that help eligible customers pay their energy bills.
- Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE Program receive a 30% to 35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill.
- Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill.
- If you have been affected by COVID-19 and your income has been temporarily reduced, you may still qualify for one of these programs. Household income is calculated as of the date you apply for FERA. It is not based on your past income.
Program Type: Utility Bill Discount
Eligibility
- For the CARE Program:
- Qualification if based on the total income of everyone living in the home*
* You may also be eligible for CARE if you or someone in your household are enrolled in any of the following public assistance programs:
- Qualification if based on the total income of everyone living in the home*
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- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWORKs (TANF)/Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- LIHEAP
- Medi-Cal/Medicaid
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
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- For the FERA Program:
- Household size must be 3 or more
- Qualification is based on the total income of everyone living the home and/or participation in a public assistance program
Website: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/care-fera?from=/care
Application
- Click on the following link to complete your application for the CARE/FERA Program: https://www.sce.com/apps/iqp
Medical Baseline Allowance provides assistance to residential customers who depend on power for certain medical and independent living needs. It includes a lower rate on your energy bill and extra notifications in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. There are no income requirements and customers may also be enrolled in CARE or FERA. Eligible equipment is any medical device used in the home to sustain life or is relied upon for mobility (as determined by a licensed doctor).
Program Type: Special baseline rate exception
Examples of Eligible Equipment
- Apnea Monitor
- Breather Machine (IPPB)
- Compressor/Concentrator
- Dialysis or Hemodialysis Machine
- Electronic Nerve Stimulator
- Electrostatic/Ultrasonic Nebulizer
- Inhalation Pulmonary Pressure
- Iron Lung
- Motorized Wheelchair/Scooter
- Oxygen Generator
- Pressure Pad or Pump
- Pulse Oximeter/Monitor
- Respirator (all types)
- Refrigerated medications
- Suction Machine
- Total Artificial Heart (TAH–t)
- Vest/Airway Clearance System
Examples of Eligible Conditions
- Paraplegia, Hemiplegia, Quadriplegia
- Life–threatening illnesses
- Compromised immune systems
- Medical conditions with special heating and/or cooling (includes Multiple Sclerosis and Scleroderma)
- Sleep apnea
Bill Payment Assistance Programs
SCE's Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) is a debt forgiveness program for customers with at least $500 in past due electricity bills with some portion of the debt at least 90 days past due. Income-qualified customers that stay current and pay their most recent bill on time for 12 months, can have up to $8,000 of their past due balances be forgiven.
Program Type: Debt Forgiveness
Eligibility
- Must be a resident of California
- Be enrolled in one of SCE's financial assistance programs--CARE or FERA
- Owe at least $500 or more on your electric bill
- Be more than 90 days past due
- Have an active SCE service account for at least six months and have made at least one on-time payment
Phone: (800) 655-4555
Website (scroll down to read FAQs related to the AMP program): https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/care-fera
Online Application: https://pages.email.sce.com/amp/
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides a one-time utility payment assistance program to low-income customers in Riverside County. Additionally, this program provides weatherization services to eligible customers and in doing so helps to reduce electricity usage and their bill. This program is administered by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County.
Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance
Eligibility
- Must be a resident of California
- A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirements.
- Must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60 percent of the State Median Income
- Click on the following link to view the checklist of mandatory documents needed to apply for the LIHEAP program: https://www.capriverside.org/Portals/2/PDF/LIHEAP/LIHEAP_Guidelines_English_and_Spanish.pdf?ver=2020-07-16-103438-743×tamp=1594923449308
Phone: (951) 955-4900
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.capriverside.org/program/utilityassistanceprogram
LIHEAP Application: www.caliheapapply.com
The Energy Assistance Fund (EAF) is largely funded by SCE shareholders and employee and customer donations. Typically, residential customers are eligible for one-time grant of up to $100 distributed via community partners and other social service organizations. During the pandemic, the available grant has been doubled to $200. Income qualified customers experiencing hardship due to quarantine, illness (including caring for loved ones), or business closures are eligible for EAF assistance.
Program Type: One-time Grant of up to $200
Eligibility
- Your SCE bill must be in your name and the address on the bill be your primary residence. You must also meet certain income guidelines.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sce.com/residential/assistance/energy-assistance-fund
Community Partners
Salvation Army Cathedral City
Phone : (760) 324-2275
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.coachellavalley.salvationarmy.org/
Catholic Charities – Indio
Phone: (760) 342-0157
Email: [email protected]
The Desert Water Agency Board of Directors Voted unanimously to waive all late fees and hold off on water shutoffs for 60 days starting March 17. Apply through United Way of the Desert for assistance.
Program Type: Relief Assistance
Application: https://unitedwayofthedesert.org/online-water-application
Learn how to extend your payment due date if more time to pay your SoCal Gas bill.
Website: https://www.socalgas.com/pay-bill/need-more-time-to-pay
Energy Savings Programs
The Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) provides no-cost weatherization services to low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. Services provided include attic insulation, energy efficient refrigerators/furnaces, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and door and building envelope repairs which reduce air infiltration. Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill.
Program Type: No-cost Weatherization Services
Eligibility
- Be a homeowner or renter who receives electric services through a residential meter
- Have an active SCE service account
- Meet the program eligibility requirements, including the installation requirements
- Qualify based on Household Income or qualify based on if you or someone in your home participates in at least one of the eligible public assistance programs:
-
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWORKs (TANF)/Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- LIHEAP
- Medi-Cal/Medicaid
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
Website: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/energy-saving-program
Application: https://www.emaprogramonline.com/api/internetenrollment/
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides a one-time utility payment assistance program to low-income customers in Riverside County. Additionally, this program provides weatherization services to eligible customers and in doing so helps to reduce electricity usage and their bill. This program is administered by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County.
Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance
Eligibility
- Must be a resident of California
- A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirements.
- Must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60 percent of the State Median Income
- Click on the following link to view the checklist of mandatory documents needed to apply for the LIHEAP program: https://www.capriverside.org/Portals/2/PDF/LIHEAP/LIHEAP_Guidelines_English_and_Spanish.pdf?ver=2020-07-16-103438-743×tamp=1594923449308
Phone: (951) 955-4900
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.capriverside.org/program/utilityassistanceprogram
LIHEAP Application: www.caliheapapply.com
COVID-19 Resources from the City of Palm Springs
Click here for COVID-19 updates and full list of resources from the City of Palm Springs.
