PG&E Commits $50 Million to Expand Bill Relief for Customers with Past-Due Energy Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) has announced a $50 million commitment to expand financial assistance programs for customers with past-due energy bills. The centerpiece is the new Match My Payment Program, offering dollar-for-dollar matching up to $1,000 for qualifying low-to-moderate income customers.

The Match My Payment Program significantly expands eligibility compared to existing programs, with income thresholds of $128,600 for a family of four. The program will run through December 31, 2025, with PG&E estimating approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance.

Additionally, PG&E's existing REACH program continues to provide up to $300 in bill credits. Qualifying customers can potentially receive up to $1,300 in combined benefits through both programs. The company reports that in 2024, nearly 58,000 customers received over $50 million in total assistance through the REACH program.

PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the remainder of 2025 and expects residential combined gas and electric bills to remain flat through 2025 and decrease in 2026.

Positive

• New $50 million commitment to financial assistance programs
• Match My Payment Program offers up to $1,000 in matching bill credits
• Higher income thresholds allow more customers to qualify ($128,600 for family of four)
• No additional electric rate changes expected for remainder of 2025
• Bills projected to remain flat in 2025 and decrease in 2026
• Combined benefits of up to $1,300 possible through multiple programs

Negative

• 400,000 customers identified as potentially needing payment assistance
• Funding distributed on first-come, first-served basis with limited resources
• Higher summer bills expected due to increased cooling energy usage

New PG&E Program Provides Matching Bill Credits of up to $1,000 for Eligible Customers

OAKLAND, Calif., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is committing $50 million to new and existing financial assistance programs to support eligible customers with paying past-due energy bills. These programs include PG&E's new Match My Payment Program and the existing PG&E Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program.

The new PG&E Match My Payment Program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000, for qualifying low-to moderate-income customers to pay past-due bills to prevent service disconnections. 

Qualifying customers may receive matching payments from PG&E for multiple bill payments throughout the year, up to a maximum match of $1,000. For example, a past-due customer can apply for support in June and continue the program in October if they fall behind on bills again. The program is scheduled to end December 31, 2025. 

Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four making less than $128,600 a year could qualify for assistance. This is significantly higher than the current limit of $62,400 for a family of the same size under the PG&E REACH program. Application information can be found here. 

Applicants are required to pay at least $50 toward their outstanding balance each time to receive matching funds. A minimum past due balance of $100 is required to apply. 

PG&E estimates approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance through the Match My Payment Program. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available resources. 

"Our Match My Payment Program is designed to make sure more families receive support when they need it most, especially during the summer months when energy bills can peak," said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "We encourage customers to check their eligibility and apply for the available assistance." 

Support also Available through PG&E REACH Program 

Customers may also be eligible for bill assistance through the PG&E REACH program, which provides income-eligible customers with a bill credit of up to $300 based on the past-due bill. Emergency assistance is available this year for customers with a disconnection notice. Income levels are lower than the PG&E Match My Payment Program. 

Qualifying customers who have already received a $300 grant from PG&E's REACH program in 2025 are pre-qualified for up to $1,000 from PG&E's Match My Payment Program, with a combined maximum benefit of up to $1,300 on a past due amount. 

In 2024, nearly 58,000 PG&E customers received more than $50 million in total assistance from the PG&E REACH program. The record assistance was distributed after PG&E increased benefits to qualifying customers last year. 

PG&E contracts with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) to process customers' applications for program funding.  

Additional funding for PG&E's Match My Payment, REACH, and other bill relief programs will be regularly evaluated throughout the year to ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet customers' needs. 

Stabilizing Customer Bills

PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the rest of 2025. The company expects residential combined gas and electric bills to be essentially flat for the rest of 2025 and go down in 2026.

Even though bills are stabilizing, customers may see higher bills during the summer months when they use more energy to cool their homes and businesses.

Other Income-eligible Assistance Programs 

PG&E has other assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills: 

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and an average of 35% on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers).
• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): new eligibility guidelines provide a monthly discount of 18% on electricity, regardless of household size. 
• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): provides energy-savings improvements at no charge. 
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally-funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to $1,500 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. Payments may vary by location and funding availability.  
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers. 

Other programs include Medical Baseline, which offers a reduction on energy bills for customers who depend on power for certain medical needs.   

To learn more about PG&E's assistance programs, use a new Savings Finder tool or visit pge.com/billhelp. 

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news   

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What is PG&E's new Match My Payment Program for bill assistance?

PG&E's Match My Payment Program offers dollar-for-dollar matching up to $1,000 for qualifying low-to-moderate income customers with past-due bills. Customers must pay at least $50 toward their outstanding balance to receive matching funds.

What are the income requirements for PG&E's Match My Payment Program 2025?

For the Match My Payment Program, a family of four making less than $128,600 annually could qualify for assistance. This is higher than the current REACH program limit of $62,400 for the same family size.

How long will PG&E's Match My Payment Program be available?

The Match My Payment Program is scheduled to run through December 31, 2025. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

How many customers can receive assistance through PG&E's new program?

PG&E estimates approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance through the Match My Payment Program.

What is the maximum benefit available through PG&E's assistance programs?

Qualifying customers can receive up to $1,300 in combined benefits - up to $1,000 from the Match My Payment Program and $300 from the REACH program.

Will PG&E rates increase in 2025?

PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the remainder of 2025, with bills expected to remain flat through 2025 and decrease in 2026.