Energy & Utility Help

PG&E Expands REACH Program and Adds $50 Million in Bill Relief for 2026 — What California Customers Should Do Right Now

PG&E's expanded REACH bill credits and new $50 million arrears assistance fund may help low-income California households avoid shutoffs — here's how to access both programs before funds run out.

May 16, 2026·By Sandra Kim·✓ Reviewed May 2026

A close-up of a hand holding a document with a 'Past Due' stamp, highlighting financial urgency.

Key Takeaways

✓PG&E has increased the bill credit amount available through its REACH program for 2026, which provides one-time emergency energy assistance to income-qualified customers.
✓A new $50 million fund is being directed toward customers with past-due balances, specifically to help households catch up on overdue energy bills and avoid disconnection.
✓REACH is a separate program from federal LIHEAP — California households may be able to stack both types of assistance, but each has its own application process and eligibility rules.
✓Funds like these are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis — applying as early as possible in the program window significantly improves your chances.
✓You will need proof of income, your PG&E account number, and household size documentation ready before you contact the program.

Informational guide only. Not affiliated with any government agency. Program details vary by state and change frequently. Verify eligibility directly with your local agency or at Benefits.gov.

PG&E's REACH Program Just Got Bigger — Here's What That Means for You

If you're a PG&E customer in California struggling with high energy bills or a past-due balance, PG&E's expanded REACH program and a new $50 million bill relief fund for 2026 may help you find programs that could reduce what you owe. REACH — which stands for Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help — is a utility-funded emergency bill credit program administered through The Salvation Army. For 2026, PG&E has increased the credit amount available per household and committed $50 million specifically to help customers who have fallen behind catch up on overdue balances.

This is meaningful news for families who've been watching their arrears grow. But these funds are limited. Here's what to do right now.

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What Is the PG&E REACH Program?

REACH is not a government program — it's funded directly by PG&E and administered by The Salvation Army on PG&E's behalf. It provides a one-time bill credit to income-qualified residential customers who are experiencing a financial hardship. The program is designed as a bridge — not a long-term solution — but for households in crisis, a meaningful credit applied directly to your account can prevent a shutoff notice from becoming a disconnection.

Who May Be Eligible for REACH?

To potentially qualify for REACH, you generally need to meet all of the following:

Be a current PG&E residential customer in good standing with an active account
Have a household income at or below 60% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — though income thresholds can vary and should be confirmed directly with the program
Be experiencing a financial hardship that has affected your ability to pay your energy bill
Not have received REACH assistance within the past 12 months

Benefit amounts vary by household size and income. The 2026 increase in the credit amount has not been publicly specified as a fixed dollar figure, so contact The Salvation Army or PG&E directly to learn what may be available for your household size.

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The New $50 Million Arrears Relief Fund

Separate from the REACH credit, PG&E has announced $50 million directed toward customers with past-due balances. This fund is aimed specifically at helping households who have accumulated debt on their accounts — a situation that became common during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted for many low-income families.

Details on how this fund will be distributed — whether through automatic credits, application-based assistance, or through partner agencies — should be confirmed directly with PG&E customer service at 1-800-743-5000. When you call, ask specifically about:

Arrears relief or past-due balance assistance available in 2026
Whether you need to apply separately or if credits are applied automatically
Any deadlines or enrollment windows for this fund

Do not wait to make this call. Funds like this are typically distributed until depleted.

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Don't Stop There: Layer REACH With Federal LIHEAP

REACH and the arrears fund are utility-funded programs — but California households may also be eligible for federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits, which are administered through the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD).

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling costs. In California, LIHEAP assistance is delivered through a network of local Community Services Agencies (CSAs). Eligibility is generally based on household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), though some states and local agencies set thresholds up to 60% of State Median Income — whichever is higher.

How to Find Your Local LIHEAP Agency in California

Visit the California Department of Community Services and Development at www.csd.ca.gov
Use the agency locator to find the CSA serving your county
Call your local CSA directly — phone numbers vary by county
You can also call 211 (dial 2-1-1) to be connected to local energy assistance resources

LIHEAP Application Timing — This Matters

LIHEAP funds in California are typically available in two windows: - Heating season assistance: Applications often open in the fall (October–November) for winter heating help - Cooling season assistance: Some counties offer summer cooling assistance, often opening in spring or early summer

As of May 2026, some California counties may still have active LIHEAP funding available. Call your local CSA or 211 immediately to ask whether your county's current program window is still open.

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Documents to Have Ready Before You Apply

Whether you're applying for REACH, the PG&E arrears fund, or LIHEAP, gather these documents before you make contact:

PG&E account number (found on your bill)
Most recent PG&E bill showing your current balance and any past-due amount
Proof of income for all household members (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, unemployment determination, etc.) — typically covering the last 30 days
Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail)
Social Security numbers for all household members, if available
Household size documentation (birth certificates for children, if applicable)

Having these ready before your first call can significantly speed up the process.

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What to Do If You're Facing Imminent Shutoff

If you've already received a disconnection notice, tell every agency you contact immediately. Both REACH and LIHEAP programs have provisions for expedited processing in shutoff situations. PG&E also has a Medical Baseline Program and Energy Savings Assistance Program for qualifying households — ask about these when you call.

Additionally, California's CPUC Disconnection Protections provide certain safeguards — including protections for households with children under 5, seniors over 65, and customers with serious illness. Ask PG&E customer service about your rights under these protections before a disconnection occurs.

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How to Apply for REACH

Contact The Salvation Army — the administering agency for REACH. Find your local Salvation Army office at www.salvationarmyusa.org or call your local branch directly.
Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to ask about current REACH availability and the 2026 arrears relief fund.
Complete the application with your income documentation and account information. By submitting any form or providing your contact information, you consent to being contacted about program eligibility.
Follow up — processing times vary, and it's appropriate to check on your application status after 5–7 business days.

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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Last reviewed: May 2026

Sources & Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PG&E REACH program and who can apply?

REACH (Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help) is a PG&E-funded emergency bill credit program administered by The Salvation Army. It may help income-qualified PG&E residential customers experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility is generally based on household income at or below 60% of the Federal Poverty Level. Customers typically cannot have received REACH assistance within the past 12 months. Contact The Salvation Army or PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to learn more.

Can I get both REACH and LIHEAP assistance at the same time?

Potentially, yes. REACH is a utility-funded program and LIHEAP is a federally funded program — they have separate eligibility rules and application processes. California households who meet the income requirements for both may be able to receive assistance from each. Contact your local Community Services Agency for LIHEAP and The Salvation Army for REACH to determine what may be available to your household.

How do I find out if PG&E's $50 million arrears relief fund applies to my account?

Call PG&E customer service directly at 1-800-743-5000 and ask specifically about past-due balance relief or arrears assistance available in 2026. Have your account number and most recent bill ready. Ask whether you need to apply or whether credits are applied automatically, and whether there is a deadline to request this assistance.

What income level do I need to be at to qualify for LIHEAP in California?

California LIHEAP eligibility is generally based on household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), though some local agencies may use 60% of State Median Income if that figure is higher. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income. Contact your county's Community Services Agency or call 211 to confirm current thresholds and whether your county's program window is still open.

What should I do if I've already received a shutoff notice from PG&E?

Tell every agency you contact that you have a disconnection notice — both REACH and LIHEAP have provisions for expedited processing in shutoff situations. Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 immediately to discuss your options, including California CPUC disconnection protections that may apply to your household. Also call 211 to be connected to local emergency energy assistance resources in your area.

About the Author

Written by the Hardship Authority editorial team.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or benefits advice. Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency. Verify information with official sources including Benefits.gov, USDA, HUD, and your state program office.

LIHEAPPG&EREACH programenergy assistanceutility bill helpCalifornia energy assistancepast due utility billsshutoff preventionlow income energy assistancebill relief 2026

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