Enrolling in The Gas Company Care Program can significantly reduce your monthly gas bill, making energy more affordable. To successfully apply and receive these benefits, you need to provide proper documentation to verify your eligibility. This guide outlines the types of documents accepted by the gas company care program to prove your participation in qualifying public assistance programs or to demonstrate your household income. Ensuring you submit the correct documents is crucial for a smooth and efficient application process.
Documents to Prove Participation in Public Assistance Programs
If you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs, you automatically qualify for the gas company care program. You will need to provide current documentation as proof of your participation. Here are the acceptable documents for each program:
Medi-Cal
- Current letter of eligibility or Benefits ID card with an issue date within the last 12 months.
- Form 1095-B, Health Coverage DHCS 68-0317191.
Medi-Cal for Families A&B
- Current statement showing your monthly premium amount, dated within the last 12 months.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
- WIC Authorization Folder (WAF) with ID Number. This must show a future dated appointment including month/date/year, or a current WIC voucher.
- Award letter or Notice of Action letter.
- WIC Phone App Screenshot of Appointment.
Alt text: Example of a WIC Authorization Folder, a document accepted for the gas company CARE program, showing appointment details.
CalWORKs (TANF), Tribal TANF
- Current Notice of Action, or a computer printout of your benefit letter showing current participation, dated within the last 12 months.
Head Start Income Eligible – Tribal Only
- Current Award Letter (Notice of Action).
- An approved Head Start application.
- Statement of enrollment in Head Start.
CalFresh (Food Stamps)
- Current Award Letter (also known as Notice of Action), or a letter of eligibility dated within the last 12 months.
Bureau of Indian Affairs – General Assistance
- Current Notice of Action from County Social Services.
- Copy of a current check.
- ID card dated within the last 12 months.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Current Award or Acceptance letter that explicitly states NSLP.
- Current school year Acceptance Letter from your school or school district.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Proof of direct payment to the utility or a copy of the Energy Intake Form (CSD 43).
- Proof of LIHEAP Payment to Utility.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Notice of Planned Action dated within the last 12 months.
- Recent bank statement showing direct deposit.
- IRS Form 1099.
Documents to Prove Household Income for the Gas Company CARE Program
If you are not enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program, you can still be eligible for the gas company care program by demonstrating that your household income meets the program requirements. You must provide documentation for ALL income sources that currently apply to your household. Alternatively, you can submit a complete copy of your most recent federal income tax return, which includes all sources of your household income.
Here are examples of acceptable documents for different income sources:
Wages, Salary, Paychecks, Tips, Commissions
- Copies of the two most recent consecutive pay stubs showing gross income.
- Federal Tax Forms:
- Form 1040 and accompanying worksheets Schedule(s) 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
- Form 2555.
- Form W-2.
- Form 1065.
- Form 1099-M for all wage earners.
Alt text: Sample pay stub demonstrating acceptable documentation for wage verification in the gas company CARE program application.
Social Security (SS), Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Workers Compensation
- Current statements of Benefits.
- Two most recent copies of Checks.
- Bank Statements showing the deposits.
- IRS Form 1040.
- IRS Form 1099.
Unemployment Benefits
- Copy of a current check or printout from the Employment Development Department.
- Two most recent consecutive check or check stubs.
- Award Letter/Notice of Action Letter from the Employment Development Department.
- Federal Income Tax filing with W2s and/or 1099s attached.
Pensions and Annuities
- Copies of a current check.
- Annual statement from your pension plan.
- Bank statement showing pension deposit.
- Two most recent consecutive check or check stubs.
- Most recent Award Letter/Notice of Action.
Disability Compensation
- Copy of a current check.
- Printout from the agency or insurance company verifying the amount.
Profit from Self-Employment
- IRS Form 1040, plus Schedule C or C-EZ.
- IRS Form 1099(s).
- Affidavit of Income.
Rental Income, Royalty Income
- IRS Form 1040, plus Schedule E for rental income or Form 1065.
- Rental agreement specifying rent amount and affidavit.
Interest/Dividends from Savings Accounts, Retirement Accounts, Stocks, Bonds
- Monthly or quarterly statement of interest income from your bank or agency.
- IRS Form 1040.
- IRS Form 1099(s).
Insurance, Legal settlements
- Settlement documents.
Child and/or Spousal Support
- Most recent Court Documents showing child and/or spousal support amounts.
- Copy of a current check.
- Signed letter from paying spouse showing amount and frequency.
- Bank Statements.
- Affidavit of Income from recipient/Notarized Document.
Veteran’s Benefits
- A letter indicating receipt of Veteran’s Pension or copy of a V.A. check.
- V.A. two most recent consecutive check or check stubs.
School Grants, Scholarships, or Other Aid
- Award Letters.
- Two most recent consecutive Pay Stubs.
- Copy of the check or financial statement of annual benefit from college, university, or bank.
Support from an Individual
- Copy of a check and statement signed by the person providing support showing amount and frequency.
- Affidavit from the individual.
Other sources of income
- Documentation of other monies received by your household and used to pay your monthly bills.
None of the Sources Above
- A statement explaining the sources of income used to support your household.
- Affidavit of Income.
Important Notes for Document Submission
When providing screenshots or copies of your documents for the gas company care program, please ensure they meet the following criteria:
- Clarity: The image must be clear and readable.
- Source Identification: The name of the issuing agency or website must be visible.
- Name Visibility: Your name or the household member’s name must be clearly shown.
- Date Inclusion: The document date must be current or within the last 12 months.
- Amount Clarity: If the document is for income proof, the amount must be visible.
Privacy Reminder: For your security, remember to black out Social Security numbers and bank account numbers on all copies of your documents before submitting them for the gas company care program.
Program Details: The gas company CARE program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SoCalGas under the guidance of the California Public Utilities Commission. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the program is subject to modification or termination without notice. Eligibility requirements apply, so please refer to the program conditions for complete details.
