Our Financial Assistance Programs Are Here for You
SCE knows that many customers continue to struggle financially. We offer a range of debt-relief and long-term bill assistance programs to help both residential and small business customers meet their electricity expenses.
Finding the Help You Need
Help with Rate Discounts
For all qualifying residential customers.
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Help with Debt Forgiveness
For CARE/FERA customers.
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More Help for Residential Customers
For residential customers 60 days past due.
See Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Help from Your Community
Our Energy Assistance Fund (EAF) is SCE's nonprofit fund that helps us put community first. Qualifying customers can receive one-time monetary assistance with their energy bill. We work with over 80 community-based organizations to make applying easy and accessible.
Take Advantage of Federal Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides additional federally funded assistance for home energy costs. Find out how LIHEAP can help your household.
Additional One-Time Savings
The California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) — The State of California has directed approximately $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding toward benefits to reduce past-due energy bill debts incurred by customers financially impacted by the pandemic. SCE used its portion of the CAPP funding to automatically provide a one-time CAPP credit to the accounts of eligible customers so there is no need to apply.
Medical Baseline Allowance
If you or someone in your household uses electrically powered medical equipment, you may qualify for the Medical Baseline Allowance. This funding provides for an additional 16.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day at the lowest baseline rate to help offset the cost of operating your medical equipment.
We'll Help Pay for Upgraded Appliances
With our Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program, qualifying customers can upgrade to energy-efficient appliances for little to no cost. Not only does the program cover or significantly offset the cost of new appliances including installation, but the appliances themselves will help reduce your monthly bills.
We're here to help!
Reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or through Ask SCE for virtual assistance wherever you are. If you’d like to speak to us on the phone about any of these programs, as well as about outages, rebates, savings, account updates, and more, visit our Help Center to find the right number for your needs.
Tools for Saving Energy and Controlling Your Account
My Account
Take ownership of your energy with My Account. Review usage, manage payments, view your bill, and set your own preferences, all in one convenient location.
Text Alerts
Text alerts allow you to stay up-to-date on outages, your rate plan, and more anywhere you go. With My Account, you can easily manage your alert preferences.
Budget Assistant
Budget Assistant can help you stay in control of your energy bill. By comparing your next month's bill protection to your spending goals, this tool tracks your costs in real time and keeps you in the know with text, phone, or email alerts.
Home Energy Advisor
In just five minutes, our Home Energy Advisor survey can give you personalized recommendations of ways to reduce your bill, from no-cost options to big home improvements.
Protect Yourself from Scammers
As scammers continue to target utility customers, we want to ensure you have the resources and know what to do to stay safe.
Improving Our Infrastructure
We're upgrading our infrastructure to help prevent and mitigate wildfires in the areas we service. Understanding that many people are at home more due to COVID-19, we are working hard to minimize disruptions in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). To find out how to receive notifications before an outage, visit our PSPS Alerts page.
Help with Rate Discounts
To meet urgent financial needs, the following programs offer significant bill discounts to those who qualify by household size and income levels.
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) – Eligible participants receive up to 30% off on electric bills. Applicants also qualify if they or someone in their home participates in at least one of these public assistance programs.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) – Eligible households of three or more receive an 18% discount on electric bills.
A single application is good for either program and takes two minutes to complete. No additional documentation required.
Or apply by phone at 1-800-447-6620
Help with Debt Forgiveness
Customers already enrolled in the CARE or FERA programs may be eligible for debt forgiveness up to $8,000 through the Arrearage Management Plan.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) – Offered exclusively to customers enrolled in CARE or FERA assistance programs, AMP is available to households with late bills totaling $500 or more that are at least 90 days old.
Benefits of AMP
- Late balance is split into 12 installments.
- One-twelfth (1/12) of the outstanding balance is forgiven for each on-time payment, up to $8,000.
To prevent disconnection, ensure you do not miss two payments in a row, or three payments in total.
Or apply by phone at 1-800-447-6620
More Help for Residential Customers
Residential customers 60 days past due on their electricity bills are automatically enrolled in SCE's Pandemic Debt Relief program.
- You are automatically enrolled by SCE when any balance goes late by 60 days.
- Your balance is divided into 24 payments.
To prevent disconnection, miss no more than two monthly payments over the 24-month payment plan.
NOTE:
- Any residential customer can request outstanding bills be broken into 12 monthly installments.
- Customers can opt out from being automatically enrolled in the Pandemic Debt Relief program.
Help for Small Business Customers
Small business customers 60 days past due on their electricity bills are automatically enrolled in SCE's Pandemic Debt Relief program.
- Your business is automatically enrolled by SCE when any balance goes late by 60 days.
- Repayment plan varies in length of time, up to years.
To prevent disconnection, miss no more than one monthly payment every twelve months from the start of the payment plan.
NOTE:
- Any small business customer can request outstanding bill payments be broken into 12 monthly installments.
- Small business customers can opt out from being automatically enrolled in the Pandemic Debt Relief program.
