If you’ve received a letter from SDG&E regarding high energy use and the CARE program, it’s important to understand the qualifications and required actions to maintain your discount. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) mandates that customers receiving a CARE discount who exceed a certain energy usage threshold (400% or 600% above baseline) must re-verify their eligibility. This article explains the related to high energy use and guides you through the necessary steps to ensure your discount continues.
This requirement is triggered when your household energy consumption reaches high levels. If you’ve received a “high energy use renewal letter,” it means your energy usage has been flagged, and you need to provide documentation to maintain your CARE program benefits. Failing to respond by the date specified in your letter will result in the discontinuation of your discount.
To maintain your sdg&e care program qualifications and continue receiving the discount after receiving a high energy use renewal letter, you need to complete the following two crucial steps:
Step 1: Provide Proof of Income
The first step in re-qualifying for the SDG&E CARE program under high energy usage conditions is to provide proof of income for every adult (18 years or older) living in your household. This is essential to confirm that your total annual household income remains within the CARE income guidelines. It’s important to note that “income” is broadly defined and includes all cash and non-cash benefits, financial support, and subsidies received by anyone in your home.
For your security, please remember to black out any Social Security numbers or bank account numbers on all copies of documents you submit. While providing a tax transcript is optional, it can be used as proof of non-filing if applicable. You can obtain a free IRS transcript of your tax return or IRS verification of non-filing by visiting IRS.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or calling 1-800-908-9946 (and selecting option 2).
Below is a table outlining the required documents based on the type of income received. Please note that additional documents may be requested by SDG&E for verification purposes.
| Type of Income | Required Documents (Additional documents may be requested) |
|---|---|
| Wages, salary, tips, commissions | Two consecutive paycheck stubs OR Written affidavit from employer for cash wages AND Two recent consecutive bank statements. |
| SSI, SSP, SSA, SSDI, pensions and annuities, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, foster care, veterans benefits. | Benefit/award letter AND Two recent consecutive bank statements showing the deposits. |
| Family or Monetary Support | Letter from person(s) providing support, including name, address, phone number, signature, and monthly or annual amount of support AND Two recent consecutive bank statements showing the amount(s). |
| School grants, scholarships, or other aid | Benefit/award letter OR Two recent consecutive paycheck stubs. |
| Zero income or non-filing | IRS Transcript of Tax Return indicating non-filing status for every adult household member AND Two recent consecutive bank statements. |
Step 2: Fill Out the Income Validation Form
After gathering the necessary income verification documents, the next step to maintain your sdg&e care program qualifications is to complete the income validation form. You can access this form online at validation form. Ensure you fill out all sections of the form accurately and completely.
It is also crucial to understand that to maintain your discount in the long term, you must keep your energy consumption below 600% of your baseline usage. Exceeding this threshold may require further steps to continue receiving the CARE discount in the future.
Once you have completed the income validation form and gathered your supporting documents, you need to submit them to SDG&E using one of the following methods:
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Fax: Send your documents via fax to 1-858-636-5749.
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Mail: Mail your documents to the following address:
SDG&E CARE
P.O. Box 129831
San Diego, CA 92112-9985
By following these steps and providing the required documentation, you can successfully re-verify your sdg&e care program qualifications and ensure the continuation of your valuable energy bill discount. Act promptly and submit your documents before the deadline mentioned in your renewal letter to avoid any interruption in your CARE program benefits.
