Worried about paying your utility bill? Here’s how to get help in California
About 150,000 federal workers in California won’t be receiving their next paycheck this month as a result of the federal government being shut down.
And because there’s no telling when the shutdown will end, they’re left in limbo over how they’ll afford to keep the lights on, much less heat their homes as winter approaches.
Several resources are available to help with expenses like utility bills.
Here’s what to know about utility bill assistance in the Golden State:
What resources are available to California federal workers during shutdown?
The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) offers programs for low-income households — including federal workers who aren’t getting paid during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1.
One such program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also called LIHEAP.
The federally-funded program “provides assistance to eligible low-income households with the goal of managing and meeting their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs,” the website says.
LIHEAP aims to help “low-income households that pay a high portion of their income to meet their energy needs,” according to the website.
The different components of the program are as follows, per the site:
- “The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides one-time financial assistance to help balance an eligible household’s utility bill.
- The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides assistance to low-income households that are in a crisis situation. Such an example would be a household receiving a 24-48 hour disconnect notice or service termination by their utility company. Another example would be a household facing an energy-related crisis that could be deemed potentially life-threatening in the household, such as a combustible appliance.
- LIHEAP Weatherization provides free energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households to lower their monthly utility bills while also improving the health and safety of the household’s occupants.
- Education on basic energy efficiency practices and instruction on the proper use and maintenance of installed weatherization measures.
- Energy budget counseling.”
California received $239.7 million in LIHEAP funding for 2025, the website says.
But the funding is limited, “and local LIHEAP service providers prioritize benefits and services for particularly vulnerable households,” so some eligible households might not qualify “in order to prioritize assistance for households with the greatest need.”
How do I know if I’m eligible for LIHEAP?
To learn more about LIHEAP assistance in your area, contact your local service provider on the “Find Energy Bill Services In Your Area” webpage and select the Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization Provider in your city or county.
What other utility assistance programs are available?
There are other assistance options available that aren’t administered by CSD, the department said on its website.
They are:
- 30-35% discount on utility bill through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): “Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE program can potentially receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and potentially a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill.”
- The Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) bills some of your electricity usage at a lower rate: “Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which bills applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill. FERA is available for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Call your electric utility if your family qualifies.”
More information about the CARE and FERA programs is available on the California Public Utilities Commission website.
- “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, energy efficient furnaces, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and door and building envelope repairs which reduce air infiltration.
More information about the ESA program is available through the California Public Utilities Commission.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Worried about paying your utility bill? Here’s how to get help in California."
