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COVID-19 Resources

WCE is Here for You

WCE is dedicated to assisting our customers during these unprecedented times caused by COVID-19 by partnering with other governmental agencies to help serve our customers’ needs. There are various programs available that can help customers save money, energy and, in some cases, provide financial assistance through grants and advanced payment plans.

The following sections explain the various programs, eligibility requirements, application links and other useful information available to our customers.  These programs change frequently, so please check back often if you do not see something that currently addresses your needs.

Click on the program name for more information.

Federal

Community Action Partnership of Riverside County administers the federally funded Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides utility payment assistance and weatherization services to low-income customers in Riverside County.


Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance

Eligibility


Website & Online Application

State

In February 2021, SCE will be launching the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) - a new payment plan option to help qualifying residential customers reduce unpaid balances on their bills.  With each on-time payment of your current charges, AMP will forgive 1/12 of the eligible debt you owed at the time of enrollment. After 12 on-time payments of your monthly current charges, your eligible debt will be forgiven, up to $8,000.

Program Type: Debt Forgiveness

Eligibility

  • Must be a resident of California
  • Be enrolled in one of SCE's financial assistance programs--CARE or FERA
  • Owe at least $500 or more on your electric bill
  • Be more than 90 days past due
  • Have an active SCE service account for at least six months and have made at least one on-time payment

Website & Online Application

Application

CARE & FERA are SCE discount programs that help eligible customers pay their energy bills.

  • Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE Program receive a 30% to 35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill.
  • Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill.
  • If you have been affected by COVID-19 and your income has been temporarily reduced, you may still qualify for one of these programs.

Program Type: Utility Bill Discount

Eligibility

  •  For the CARE Program:
    • Qualification if based on the total income of everyone living in the home*
      * You may also be eligible for CARE if you or someone in your household are enrolled in any of the following public assistance programs: 

      • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
      • CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
      • CalWORKs (TANF)/Tribal TANF
      • Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
      • LIHEAP
      • Medi-Cal/Medicaid
      • Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
      • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
      • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
      • WIC
  • For the FERA Program:
    • Household size must be 3 or more
    • Qualification is based on the total income of everyone living the home and/or participation in a public assistance program

SCE CARE/FERA Website:

Application

The Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) provides no-cost weatherization services to low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. 

  • Services provided include attic insulation, energy efficient refrigerators/furnaces, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and door and building envelope repairs which reduce air infiltration. Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill.

Program Type: No-cost Weatherization Services

Eligibility

  •  Be a homeowner or renter who receives electric services through a residential meter
  • Have an active SCE service account
  • Meet the program eligibility requirements, including the installation requirements
  • Qualify based on Household Income or qualify based on if you or someone in your home participates in at least one of the eligible public assistance programs:
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
    • CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
    • CalWORKs (TANF)/Tribal TANF
    • Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
    • LIHEAP
    • Medi-Cal/Medicaid
    • Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
    • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • WIC

SCE ESA Program Website:

Application

The CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides grants from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions.

Program Type: Grant

Round 2 Information

  •  Round 2 Opens: February 2, 2021 @ 8 a.m. PST
  •  Round 2 Closes: February 8, 2021 @ 6 p.m. PST
  •  Selection Notifications: February 11 - 18, 2021
  •  Round 2 is the final application window for the Program. Grant awards for businesses in the second application will be made in two decision rounds for funding.

Eligibility

  • Must meet the definition of an "eligible small business."  An "eligible small business" means (i) a "small business" (sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 work, and/or registered "for-profit" business entity (e.g. C-corporation, S-corporation, limited liability company, partnership) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed tax return) or (ii) a "small nonprofit" (registered 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19), or 501(c)(6) non profit entity having yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed Form 990)
  • Active businesses or nonprofits operating since at least June 1, 2019
  • Businesses must currently be operating or have a clear plan to re-open once the State of California permits re-opening of the business
  • Business must be impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions such as business interruptions or business closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Business must be able to provide organizing documents including 2018 or 2019 tax returns or Form 990s, copy of official filing with the California Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality for the business such as one of the following: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or Government-Issued Business License
  • Business must be able to provide an acceptable form of government-issued photo ID
  • Applicants with multiple business entities, franchises, locations, etc., are not eligible for multiple grants and are only allowed to apply once using their eligible small business with the highest revenue

Website & Online Application

Regional

A new partnership between Eastern Municipal Water District and United Way offering a once-annual bill credit of $100. 

Thanks to the Eastern Municipal Water District, customers within their catchment area are able to apply for a once-annual bill credit of $100.

Program Type: One-Time Bill Credit

Eligibility

  • The bill must be in the name of the residential customer seeking assistance.
  • The address on the bill must be the customer's primary residence.
  • Person requesting assistance must be the person whose name is on the account.
  • Program is limited to EMWD residential customers only.
  • Customer must be delinquent on their water bill.
  • Household income, from an eligible source, must be combined for a gross annual household income.
    • The total combined gross income must be at or below the amounts shown in the following income guidelines:
      • Number of Persons in Household/Total Combined Annual Income
      • 1-2, up to $32,920
      • 3 up to $41,560
      • 4 up to $50,200
      • 5 up to $58,840
      • 6 up to $67,480
      • Each additional person $8,640
        *Qualifying income levels are 200% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines

Online Pre-Screening Questionnaire

Application

  • Click on the following link to apply: https://uwiv.org/emwd
  • If you are unable to for any reason, or have questions, please contact Shannon Torrance at United Way at storrance@iscuw.org or 909-980-2857 ext. 209

EMWD Help2Others Customer Assistance Program Website

  • Click on the following link to view the United Way/EMWD Help2Others Assistance Programs website: https://uwiv.org/emwd

Western Municipal Water District offers bill payment assistance to qualified low-income residential water/sewer customers. In order to qualify for assistance, you must be a current participant of the CARE Program offered by your gas or electric company.

Program Type: Utility Bill Discount

Eligibility

  • Your account must be past due.
  • Provide a copy of your most recent natural gas or electric bill showing you receive a CARE discount.
  • The name and service address on the gas or electric bill must match the name and service address on the water bill. If the names do not match, the name on the gas or electric bill must be added to the water account.
  • The amount of assistance would be equal or lessor of the balance due or $150. Maximum assistance would be $150 during a 12-month period.
  • Assistance cannot be used toward payment of a deposit.
  • Assistance is subject to funding availability.

WMWD Bill Payment Assistance Program Website:

Application

  • If you would like to apply for assistance or have additional questions, please contact WMWD Customer Service at billing@wmwd.com or by calling (951) 571-7104.

The County of Riverside Emergency Rental Assistance Program and is preparing to disperse rental assistance throughout Riverside County. United Lift will be administering the Program and is currently processing a waitlist.

Program Type: Continuous Rental and Utility Payment Assistance

Eligibility

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

  1. Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
  2. Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  3. Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.

Rental assistance provided to an eligible household should not be duplicative of any other federally funded rental assistance provided to such household.

Eligible households that include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days prior to application for assistance and households with income at or below 50 percent of the area median are to be prioritized for assistance.

Household income is determined as either the household’s total income for calendar year 2020 or the household’s monthly income at the time of application.  For household incomes determined using the latter method, income eligibility must be redetermined every 3 months.

How to Apply:
Applications for the next round of rental assistance will be available to Riverside County Residents in the coming weeks. Please check back for updates.

Riverside County ERAP United Lift Website:

Local

WCE will provide a one-time $25 bill credit in addition to any other eligible discounts and/or programs available to WCE customers who enroll in the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) Program.

Program Type: One-Time Bill Credit

Eligibility

  • Be enrolled in one of SCE's financial assistance programs--CARE or FERA.
  • Enroll in the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) Program through SCE
  • Owe at least $500 or more on your electric bill
  • Be more than 90 days past due
  • Have an active WCE service account and have made at least one on-time payment

 

More information to follow once available

Valley Community Pantry has partnered with the City of Hemet to assist members of their community who have experienced hardship during the pandemic.

Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance

What is Needed to Apply:

  • Proof of COVID-19 impact or related loss of income (job loss/childcare/work hour reduction)
  • Copy of past due bill
  • Current & valid lease/rental agreement
  • Landlord's phone number and email address
  • Form of identification
  • Applicants must be an incorporated City of Hemet resident.
  • All adults (18 yrs and older) must submit proof of income.

Application

  • Apply in-person Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church (back parking lot), 191 S. Columbia Street, Hemet, CA 92544.

Valley Community Pantry Website


In partnership with regional and non-profit agencies, the City of Jurupa Valley can help facilitate short term rental, utility, and other forms of emergency financial assistance.

Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance

Eligibility:

  • The City contracts with Path of Life Ministries, Inc. to oversee the short term emergency funding program. Staff from Path of Life are available to assist residents in navigating their situation of housing instability.

How to Apply:

  • Residents are encouraged to contact Path of Life at (951) 786-9048 ext. 29 or email jminera@thepathoflife.com for more information.

City of Jurupa Valley's Rental & Utility Assistance Program Website

The City of Perris' Utility Assistance Program can assist with 100% of any months utility cost (up to the maximum of $200/month) for 6 consecutive months, for the following utilities: electric, water and gas. Funds are available on a first completed, first serve basis.

Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance

Eligibility

  • Households must show they have been directly financially impacted by COVID-19
  • Applicants must be an incorporated City of Perris resident.
  • All adults (18 yrs and over) must submit proof of income.  Those who cannot, must submit a signed Letter of Explanation.
  • Each adult in the household (18 yrs and over) must complete and submit the Employer Verification Form. Those who cannot, must submit a signed Letter of Explanation.
  • All adults (18 yrs and over) must submit one (1) month's proof of income BEFORE & AFTER being financially impacted by COVID-19.  This includes complete pay stubs, Social Security/SSI, Pension, Unemployment benefits, Retirement, Disability, etc. This also includes net income from business and self-employment (include income earned as an independent contractor and "Gig Economy" jobs such as Etsy, Amazon, eBay, Lyft, Instacart, Grub Hub, Door Dash, etc.)
  • Self-Employed applicants must provide a profit and loss statement to show the difference of income before and after being financially impacted by COVID-19.
  • Each adult in the household (18 yrs and over) must submit most recent three (3) months of complete bank statements.  Those who cannot, must submit a signed letter of Explanation.
  • Proof of current enrollment for household adults (18 yrs and over) who are full time High School or College students must be submitted.  Does not apply to the Head of Household.
  • Homeowners must submit their most recent mortgage statement.

City of Perris Utility Assistance Program Website

Application