Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in California and your electric, gas, water, phone, or internet bill is hard to pay, start with three steps: call your utility before the shutoff date, apply for the state energy help program, and check the discount programs tied to your utility.
The main California energy help paths are California LIHEAP, CARE, FERA, Energy Savings Assistance, Medical Baseline, utility hardship funds, and local help through 211 California. These programs are not only for single mothers, but they can help households with children when income, crisis rules, and funding limits are met.
Do not wait until service is off. A shutoff notice, past-due bill, medical need, heat wave, wildfire outage risk, or new job loss can change which office should help first.
Urgent help if you have a shutoff notice
If you received a 24-hour, 48-hour, or final shutoff notice, call the utility listed on the bill right away. Ask for a payment arrangement, a hold while you apply for assistance, and any emergency fund connected to your account. Also contact the local energy agency found through the CSD provider finder.
If there is a gas leak, downed power line, fire, medical emergency, or unsafe heat or cold, call 911 or your utility emergency number. This article is general information only. It is not safety, legal, medical, or government-agency advice.
If your household includes someone who uses powered medical equipment, needs cooling for a health condition, or has a serious illness, ask your utility about Medical Baseline and outage alerts. Medical Baseline can lower the cost of some energy use, but it does not make the home immune from all outages or shutoff risks.
Where to start
Start with the problem that is closest to becoming an emergency. A bill due next month is different from a final notice for tomorrow. Keep a copy of the bill, the shutoff notice, and the confirmation number for every call.
If power or gas may be shut off
Call your utility first. Ask for a payment plan and emergency help. Then contact your local LIHEAP agency.
If the bill is high every month
Apply for CARE or FERA. Ask about Energy Savings Assistance and budget billing.
If your home has medical needs
Ask about Medical Baseline, backup plans, and outage alerts. Do not rely on one program for emergency safety.
If you are behind on rent too
Use utility help, but also look at California emergency help and California housing help.
Quick help table
| Need | First place to try | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past-due electric or gas bill | Utility and local LIHEAP agency | Payment plan, shutoff hold, emergency aid | Funding can run out and documents matter. |
| Monthly bill is too high | CARE or FERA | Discount, income rules, proof needed | Discounts lower future bills, not always old debt. |
| Old home wastes energy | Energy Savings Assistance | No-cost weatherization screening | Services depend on home type and utility. |
| Medical equipment uses power | Medical Baseline | Medical allowance and outage alerts | A health-care provider form may be needed. |
| Water, sewer, or trash bill | Local city or water district | Customer assistance or payment plan | Statewide water aid is limited; local rules vary. |
LIHEAP, HEAP, ECIP, and weatherization
California’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households with home heating or cooling costs. It is run through the California Department of Community Services and Development and local service providers. The state page explains that LIHEAP has several parts: HEAP for one-time help with a utility bill, ECIP for crisis cases, and weatherization for energy-saving home improvements.
For 2026, CSD lists LIHEAP monthly income limits and says eligibility can vary by income source and other factors. Check the current income limits, then contact the local energy agency in your county. Do not assume you qualify only because your income looks close. The local agency has to review your household, bill, and documents.
ECIP may matter if you have a short shutoff notice, unsafe heating or cooling situation, or another energy crisis. Weatherization can help with items such as sealing air leaks or other upgrades, but the exact work depends on the home, inspection, funding, landlord permission when needed, and program rules.
Tip for single mothers
Ask whether your household with children can be screened for all available energy help at the same appointment. Many families miss help because they only ask for one program.
CARE, FERA, and Energy Savings Assistance
CARE and FERA are monthly discount programs for customers of many California electric and gas utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. CARE can lower eligible electric and natural gas bills. FERA is for some households that are over the CARE income limit and have qualifying family size and utility service.
For June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, CPUC lists CARE income limits and FERA income ranges. You may also qualify for CARE through certain public benefits, such as Medi-Cal, WIC, CalFresh, SSI, TANF, Tribal TANF, LIHEAP, or other listed programs. If you receive California food help, California TANF help, or California WIC benefits, ask the utility if that can help with CARE screening.
Energy Savings Assistance can provide no-cost weatherization services for eligible households that meet CARE or FERA income limits. Services may include items like attic insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and certain appliance or furnace measures. Not every home gets every service.
| Program | What it may help with | Where to apply | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARE | Ongoing electric or gas discount | Your utility | Income limits can update each year. |
| FERA | Electric bill discount for some families | PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E | Not available through every utility. |
| ESA | No-cost efficiency improvements | Your utility or ESA contractor | Renters may need landlord cooperation. |
| LIHEAP | Bill help, crisis help, weatherization | Local CSD provider | Funds are limited and prioritized. |
Utility hardship funds and payment plans
Some California utilities have separate hardship funds, payment arrangements, level pay plans, or emergency programs. These are different from LIHEAP and CARE. They often have their own income rules, hardship rules, yearly limits, and funding limits.
CPUC lists emergency utility aid options for several utilities. PG&E has PG&E REACH for some customers in crisis. Southern California Edison has the SCE Energy Assistance Fund. SoCalGas has the SoCalGas GAF, though its page may show temporary closure when funds or application windows are not available.
Ask your utility about a payment arrangement even if you also apply for LIHEAP. A payment plan can give you time while the local agency reviews your case. The CPUC also has a late bill help page for utility bill payment plans, billing issues, and service restart questions.
Watch out for utility scams
Do not give gift card numbers, cash app transfers, or banking passwords to someone who calls and threatens immediate shutoff. Hang up and call the number on your bill or the official utility website.
Medical, disability, heat, and outage needs
If someone in your home uses life-support equipment, a motorized wheelchair, a respirator, a dialysis machine, a suction machine, a nebulizer, or has certain serious health conditions, ask about Medical Baseline. The program can add extra energy allowance at the lowest residential rate, but it is not cash aid.
During heat waves, wildfire power shutoffs, storms, or outages, families with infants, disabled children, disabled parents, or medical equipment need a backup plan. Ask your utility about outage alerts, backup battery programs, vulnerable customer status, and local cooling centers. Also review California disability help if a child or parent has disability-related needs.
Water, phone, and internet help
California utility help is not the same for every bill. Electric and gas programs are more statewide. Water, sewer, trash, and city utility relief often depends on your city, county, water district, or public utility.
If you are served by a public utility, start on that utility’s assistance page. For example, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has LADWP EZ-SAVE for income-qualified customers. If you live elsewhere, search your city or water district website for customer assistance, low-income discount, leak adjustment, payment arrangement, or shutoff prevention.
For phone service, check California LifeLine, a CPUC program website for discounted phone service. For internet, the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024, but some companies and nonprofit partners still list lower-cost plans. The California Emerging Technology Fund’s low-cost internet site can help families look for options.
If you need help with several bills at once, also see California community support, California household items, and California transportation help. Reducing other urgent costs can make a utility payment plan more realistic.
Documents and information to gather
Each program can ask for different proof. Gather what you have now, then ask the office what is missing. Do not skip an application only because you are missing one document.
| Item | Why it helps | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Utility bill | Shows account, balance, and service address | Electric, gas, water, or combined bill |
| Shutoff notice | Shows urgency | Final notice, 48-hour notice, past-due letter |
| Income proof | Used for program screening | Pay stubs, benefits letter, child support, unemployment |
| Household details | Programs count household size | Names, birth dates, school or benefit proof |
| Hardship notes | Explains why payment fell behind | Job loss, illness, child care cost, car repair |
| Medical form | Needed for medical energy programs | Provider certification, equipment list |
How to apply without losing time
- Call your utility. Ask for the exact shutoff date, payment plan options, hardship funds, CARE or FERA status, and whether the account can be held while you apply for help.
- Find your local LIHEAP agency. Use the CSD provider finder and choose the energy bill or weatherization provider for your city or county.
- Apply for the discount. CARE, FERA, ESA, and utility hardship funds are often separate applications.
- Write down every call. Keep the date, time, person, phone number, and next step.
- Use 211 for local gaps. Ask 211 about charities, churches, community action agencies, tribal resources, county funds, and city water programs.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
If LIHEAP or weatherization help is denied, delayed, or the local provider does not respond, California has written appeal steps. CSD says an applicant may start a written appeal with the local provider, and the provider must review and decide within the stated appeal time. If you are still not satisfied, you may appeal in writing to CSD under the state rule listed on the CSD appeal rules page.
If the problem is with a regulated utility bill, service restart, billing error, or customer service issue, ask the utility for a supervisor and keep records. You can also look at CPUC complaint options. For broader benefits problems, this guide on benefits appeal steps can help you organize papers and deadlines.
If your missed utility payment is tied to job loss, child care gaps, or unsafe housing, do not work on the bill alone. You may also need California child care or California legal help.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until service is already off before calling.
- Applying for LIHEAP but not asking for CARE or FERA.
- Assuming a discount will erase old debt.
- Missing mail or email from the agency asking for proof.
- Ignoring a shutoff notice because you made a partial payment.
- Using a third-party website that charges fees for free applications.
- Forgetting to update the utility after a move or name change.
Backup options if utility money is not enough
Utility assistance is often limited. If the amount offered does not cover the full balance, ask for a written payment plan. Then use local supports to reduce other costs for the month.
- Food help may free up cash for the bill. Start with CalFresh or food pantries.
- Baby supplies, diapers, and household items may reduce emergency spending.
- Transportation help may help you keep work or school appointments.
- Housing help may matter if the utility shutoff is connected to eviction risk.
- Legal aid may be needed for billing disputes, unsafe housing, or tenant utility problems.
Phone scripts
Call your utility
“Hi, I am a residential customer and a single parent. I have a past-due bill and I am trying to avoid shutoff. Can you tell me the exact shutoff date, payment plan options, CARE or FERA status, and any emergency fund I can apply for today?”
Call the LIHEAP agency
“I found your office through CSD. I have a utility bill and may need emergency help. Are you taking LIHEAP or ECIP applications now, and what documents should I send first?”
Call 211
“I need help with a utility bill in my ZIP code. I have children at home. Can you search for energy assistance, water bill help, churches, charities, and community action agencies near me?”
Call about Medical Baseline
“Someone in my home uses medical equipment or has a health condition affected by power or heat. How do I apply for Medical Baseline, outage alerts, and any backup support programs?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con la luz, gas, agua, teléfono o internet en California, llame primero a la compañía de servicios. Pregunte por un plan de pago, ayuda de emergencia y descuentos como CARE o FERA.
También puede buscar la agencia local de LIHEAP por medio de CSD y llamar al 211 para recursos cerca de su código postal. Si alguien en la casa usa equipo médico eléctrico, pregunte por Medical Baseline y avisos de apagones.
Guarde copias de la factura, aviso de corte, prueba de ingresos y notas de cada llamada.
FAQ
Can single mothers get utility grants in California?
There is no single utility grant only for single mothers statewide. Real help usually comes through LIHEAP, CARE, FERA, utility hardship funds, 211 referrals, and local programs. Eligibility depends on income, bill status, household size, utility, county, and funding.
What should I do first if I have a shutoff notice?
Call your utility right away. Ask for a payment arrangement, emergency assistance, and a hold while you apply for LIHEAP or another program. Then contact your local LIHEAP provider and 211.
Does CARE pay my old utility bill?
CARE is mainly a monthly discount program. It can reduce future bills if you qualify, but it may not erase old debt. Ask your utility about separate hardship funds or payment plans.
Can renters apply for utility help?
Yes, renters can often apply if they are responsible for the utility bill or meet the program rules. Weatherization for renters may require landlord permission.
Can I get help with water bills?
Water help depends on your city, county, water district, or public utility. Call the water provider and ask about payment plans, low-income discounts, leak adjustments, or local customer assistance funds.
What if my LIHEAP application is denied?
Ask for the denial reason in writing and the appeal steps. California CSD has appeal rules for LIHEAP and weatherization issues. Keep copies of your application, proof, and notices.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.