NORTH COAST, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is committing $50 million in 2026 to help customers pay overdue energy bills through its Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help, or REACH, and Match My Payment programs.
PG&E is expanding REACH benefits this year. Eligible customers can receive up to an $800 bill credit, an increase from up to $300 last year, if they have received a disconnection notice.
Match My Payment matches eligible customer payments dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000. Payments must be at least $50 toward a past-due balance of $100 or more. Customers can receive multiple matches during the year. A disconnection notice is not required for customers to qualify.
REACH recipients are also prequalified for up to $1,000 on a past-due balance through Match My Payment, for a combined benefit of up to $1,800 while funds last.
Eligibility for both programs is based on federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four earning less than $128,600 may qualify for the Match My Payment program, which has higher income limits than the REACH program.
“On the North Coast, some of our customers are facing real financial pressures as the cost of living continues to rise and unexpected expenses add up. Programs like Match My Payment provide meaningful, immediate relief by helping customers catch up on past-due bills and stay connected to the energy they rely on every day. We encourage eligible customers to apply while funds are available,” said Dave Canny, vice president for PG&E’s North Coast Region.
Both programs are funded by PG&E and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The company contracts with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) to process customer applications.
The two PG&E programs – REACH and Match My Payment – have provided nearly $23 million in assistance to over 64,000 customers.
• Customers in Humboldt County have received a total of $197,357 through Match my Payment & REACH; the assistance went to 253 Match My Payment recipients & 342 REACH recipients.
• Customers in Mendocino County have received a total of $130,844 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 154 Match My Payment recipients and 225 REACH recipients.
• Customers in Lake County have received a total of $240,033 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 273 Match My Payment recipients and 416 REACH recipients.
• Customers in Sonoma County have received a total of $312,754 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 396 Match My Payment recipients and 540 REACH.
• Customers in Napa County have received a total of $114,112 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 131 Match My Payment recipients and 211 REACH recipients.
• Customers in Solano County have received a total of $791,178 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 1,046 Match My Payment recipients and 1,232 REACH recipients.
• Customers in Marin County have received a total of $99,248 through Match my Payment and REACH; the assistance went to 107 Match My Payment recipients and 227 REACH recipients.
PG&E’s $50 million commitment comes after the company cut residential electric rates for customers who receive energy supply and delivery from PG&E by 5% Jan. 1, 2026. This is the fourth electric rate decrease in two years, reinforcing the company's promise to stabilize energy costs for customers.
PG&E residential electric rates are 11% lower than in January 2024, or about $20 less on a typical residential monthly bill.
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 (CARE) program: provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and an average of 38% on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers).
• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program: eligibility guidelines provide a monthly discount of 18% on electricity regardless of household size.
• Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program: 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.
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program: provides energy-savings improvements at no charge.
Other programs include Medical Baseline, which offers a reduction on energy bills for customers who depend on power for certain medical needs. Visit pge.com/billhelp to learn more.
Additional support available
PG&E offers a variety of ways to save energy and reduce monthly bills. Customers are encouraged to:
• Sign up for a free personal energy coach with the HomeIntel program.
• Enroll in the Budget Billing program.
• Get personalized recommendations for financial assistance, bill management programs and other resources by using an online Savings Finder tool.