Energy Bills

• You may qualify to receive up to $1,000 per year to cover your late energy bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered by Contra Costa County and the California Community Services and Development Department. Eligibility is based on household size and income. The payment is made directly to your energy provider.

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) provides a monthly discount of 35% on electricity and 20% on gas. Eligibility is based on the number of people in your household and your total household income, or if you participate in certain public assistance programs.

• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity. Eligibility is based on the number of people in your household and your total household income.

• Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) provides an energy credit of up to $300 to income-qualifying customers who have received a 15-day or 48-hour utility disconnection notice. 

• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) is a payment plan to help households reduce unpaid energy bill balances. In order to qualify, you must be enrolled in CARE or FERA, owe at least $500, be over 90 days due and have received electricity from PG&E for at least 6 months (you still qualify if MCE generates your electricity), and have made at least one payment on time.

• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) provides repairs and upgrades to older, inefficient appliances such as refrigerators, water heaters, and furnaces to income-qualified renters and homeowners free of charge. More efficient appliances save energy while reducing your monthly utility bill costs.

• Several other rebates, tax credits, and loans are available to help renters and homeowners save energy and reduce utility bill costs.

MCE has been the default energy provider for Walnut Creek since September 2016. PG&E is still responsible for transmitting and distributing electricity, billing customers, and providing customer services such as the programs listed above. CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline customers automatically receive the same discount when they receive energy generated by MCE as they would with PG&E. Additionally, MCE's rates are almost always less expensive than PG&E's rates. For more information, check out our ECO page on MCE. 

Water Bills

• Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides one-time support to pay household water bills. Eligibility is based on the number of people in your household and your total household income. Renters whose water and sewer bill is included in their rent payment can still qualify for the program if they are behind on rent.

• East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) offers resources to help pay part of the cost of water service for low-income residential customers or those experiencing financial hardship.

• EBMUD's Customer Assistance Program pays a portion of the water bill for qualified low-income residents living in single-family homes. 

• Contra Costa Water District's Lifeline Water Rate Program pays a portion of the water bill for low-income residents who meet age or disability requirements. Information is available in both English and Spanish.

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) serve different areas in the City of Walnut Creek. Maps of EBMUD’s service area and CCWD’s service area are available on their websites.