Struggling with a bill
Help with a high electric bill.
If your power bill is more than you can manage right now, you're not alone — and you may have more options than you think. Here are the main kinds of help to look into.
The short answer
Depending on where you live, your utility and your household situation, help may include utility discount programs, a payment arrangement, one-time or emergency assistance, energy assistance programs, and efficiency programs that lower future bills. Start by contacting your utility — before a bill becomes past due if you can.
Who this is for
California households having trouble paying an electric or power bill. What's available depends on your location, utility, household circumstances and current program rules.
Start here: talk to your utility
Call the number on your bill or visit your utility's website and explain your situation. Ask what payment options and assistance programs are available. Reaching out early often gives you more options.
Kinds of help that may be available
Utility discount programs
Ongoing monthly discounts for households that qualify, such as CARE and FERA.
Payment arrangements
Many utilities can spread a past-due balance over several bills. Ask what plans they offer.
Hardship or emergency assistance
Some utilities and community organizations offer one-time help for households facing hardship.
Energy assistance programs
Government-funded programs, including LIHEAP-funded help, run through local agencies. Funding and timing vary.
Energy-efficiency programs
Weatherization and efficiency help can lower future bills. California's Energy Savings Assistance program provides no-cost weatherization services to households that meet CARE or FERA income limits.
Medical Baseline
Extra support for households with qualifying medical energy needs.
Also: understand why the bill is high
Knowing what's driving your bill helps you avoid the same problem next month. Check usage, the number of billing days and your rate plan.
Watch out for scams
Scammers sometimes pretend to be the utility and demand immediate payment by gift card, wire or app. If you're unsure, hang up and call the number printed on your bill. Utility Bill Advocates will never ask for your Social Security number, banking information or utility login.
My Wattie · Coming Soon
A plain-language helper for your bill.
My Wattie, our upcoming AI-powered utility companion, is being designed to help households find assistance programs that may fit and explain bills in plain language. It isn't available yet.
Meet My Wattie and join early accessCommon questions
What should I do if I can't pay my electric bill?
Contact your utility as soon as you can and ask about payment arrangements and assistance programs. You can also check local energy assistance programs through California's Department of Community Services & Development.
Does Utility Bill Advocates pay bills?
No. We're an independent consumer resource. We help you understand your options and where to apply; we don't pay bills or run government programs.
Official sources to verify
Program rules, amounts and deadlines can change. Always confirm current details with the official program or your utility.
Find out what may apply to you.
Answer a few quick questions and we'll help you see which kinds of help may be worth looking into for your home.
Utility Bill Advocates is an independent company. We are not a utility company or government agency. Program availability and eligibility vary. We never ask for your Social Security number, banking information or utility login.