
COVID-19 Resources
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
Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
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
- Must be a resident of California
- A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirements.
- Must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below 60 percent of the State Median Income
- Click on the following link to view the checklist of mandatory documents needed to apply for the LIHEAP program: https://www.capriverside.org/Portals/2/PDF/LIHEAP/LIHEAP_Guidelines_English_and_Spanish.pdf?ver=2020-07-16-103438-743×tamp=1594923449308
Website & Online Application
- Click on the following link to visit the website and complete your online application for the LIHEAP program: https://www.caliheapapply.com
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 Website & Online Application Application CARE & FERA are SCE discount programs that help eligible customers pay their energy bills. Program Type: Utility Bill Discount Eligibility 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. Program Type: No-cost Weatherization Services Eligibility 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. California's Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced on Friday, March 3, 2021 four new funding rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Program Type: Grant Round 3 Information (waitlisted applicants from Round 1 and 2) Round 4 Information (non-profit cultural institutions only) Round 5 Information Round 6 Information Eligibility Website & Online Application State
Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) / Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)
* You may also be eligible for CARE if you or someone in your household are enrolled in any of the following public assistance programs: Energy Savings Assistance Program
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
Regional
EMWD Help2Others Assistance Program
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
- The total combined gross income must be at or below the amounts shown in the following income guidelines:
Online Pre-Screening Questionnaire
- To determine your eligibility for the EMWD Help2Others Payment Assistance Program, visit the following link: https://www.emwd.org/help2others
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
WMWD Bill Payment Assistance
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:
- Click on the following link to view the WMWD Bill Payment Assistance Program website: https://www.wmwd.com/394/Bill-Payment-Assistance
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.
Riverside County United Lift 2021 Rental Assistance Program
The United Lift Rental Assistance Program is a coordinated effort between Riverside County, Inland SoCal United Way and Lift to Rise to keep Riverside County families and residents financially impacted by COVID-19 housed by providing direct rental and utility assistance. The United Lift Rental Assistance Program uses federal funding from different sources to provide assistance to Riverside County renter households. Each source of funding carries its own set of eligibility guidelines defined by federal legislation and regulations. The program will continue until funds are deplated, or until December 31, 2021, whichever happens first.
Program Type: Continuous Rental and Utility Payment Assistance
Eligibility
Federal guidelines require that households must meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria in order to be eligible for assistance:
- Renter household - rental assistance is reserved for renter households; homeowners or mortgage-paying households are not eligible for assistance. A lease agreement or other acceptable document proving renter status is required. County guidelines also require that households applying for assistance live within the County of Riverside.
- COVID-19 related financial impact - rental assistance is reserved for households who cannot pay for rent and/or utilities because they have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Documentation of COVID-19 related financial impact is required.
- Earning at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) - rental assistance is reserved for households that earned at or below 80% of AMI in 2020. Priority will be given to households earning at or below 50% of AMI in 2020. Proof of ALL sources of income from ALL members of your household for 2020 is required.
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:
Click on the following link to complete your online application: https://www.unitedlift.org/applynow
Riverside County ERAP United Lift Website:
- Click on the following link to view the Unitd Lift website: https://www.unitedlift.org/
WCE is dedicated to assisting our customers during these unprecedented times caused by COVID-19. WCE will provide a one-time $25 bill credit in addition to any other eligible discounts and/or programs available to you. There are two ways customers may be able to receive the credit. Program Type: One-Time Bill Credit Eligibility Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) eligible residential customers: Residential customers not eligible for AMP: 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: Application Valley Community Pantry Website In response to the economic hardships experienced by small businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Hemet has established the Business Support Program, as part of the Hemet CARES initiative. The City is utilizing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to establish a $320,000 grant program. Funding will be awarded to 32 business applicants in an effort to assist local Hemet businesses and provide working capital grants to retain jobs, keep businesses open, and maintain their lease payments. Program Type: Grant (up to $10,000 per applicant) Application Deadline: Application Valley Community Pantry Website Program Type: Continuous Utility Payment Assistance Eligibility: How to Apply: 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 City of Perris Utility Assistance Program Website Application Local
WCE Utility Assistance Program
City of Hemet/Valley Community Pantry COVID-19 Rent & Utility Payment Assistance Program
Hemet Cares Business Support Grant Program
City of Jurupa Valley Rent & Utility Payment Assistance Program
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. City of Perris Utility Assistance Program