PGE Income Qualified Bill Discount Roll Out April 15
Posted on April 14, 2022 by Kate Ayres
Tags, Energy, General Interest
Portland General Electric’s temporary low-income assistance program, the Income Qualified Bill Discount, rolls out April 15. This program will provide a monthly bill discount to help qualified low-income residential customers.
Who Qualifies for the Income Qualified Bill Discount Program
- Households with incomes at or below 60 percent State Median Income (SMI)
- Single-person households up to the greater of 60 percent SMI or $30,700.
Income guidelines showing 60 percent State Median Income can be found here. These are the same income guidelines for the Oregon Energy Assistance Program.
Discount Rate
PGE’s program is a percentage of bill discount broken up into three tiers.
- Tier 1: Household income at or below 30 percent SMI receive a 25 percent bill discount
- Tier 2: Household income 31-45 percent SMI receive a 20 percent bill discount
- Tier 3: Household income 46-60 percent SMI receive a 15 percent bill discount
Customers will be able to self-certify their household size and income level when they call to sign up for assistance. Those who have a medical certificate can contact PGE to be bumped up to the next tier level, if not already in Tier 1.
By June 30, PGE customers who have received OEAP or LIHEAP (government energy assistance) may see themselves automatically enrolled at the base tier level. If these customers believe they may qualify for a higher tier, they can call PGE. Customers can self-certify their household size and income level for proper placement.
Check your Eligibility and Receive Assistance
Call PGE’s customer service at 503-228-6322 or 800-542-8818, Monday-Friday from 7am to 7pm. Customer service can advise customers in 200+ languages.
Customers who have received energy assistance should look for emails and direct mail about the program and sign-up details.
Online enrollment is available on PGE’s website for customers in both English and Spanish. More sign-up information and pdf versions of the application will also be available on PGE’s website.
Permanent Assistance Programs are Coming
This assistance program is a result of the 2021 Energy Affordability Act. The law allowed regulators to help customers with energy burdens through bill assistance programs. All Oregon utilities have had similar temporary programs in place for the past year. Permanent programs (which will replace the temporary ones) should be launched by the end of 2022.
CUB commends PGE on its innovation and engagement throughout the development of its temporary program. We believe this discount program is a step in the right direction. CUB expects PGE’s revised program and outreach will help more struggling utility customers receive much-needed bill assistance.
In the meantime, CUB will keep working with community advocates, regulators, and all utilities on developing long-term programs to reduce the energy burden of our most vulnerable neighbors.
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04/14/22 | 0 Comments | PGE Income Qualified Bill Discount Roll Out April 15