Low-income assistance and nonprofit discount

You may qualify for a discount on your SMUD energy bill

We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to cover all your expenses every month. Because we feel that everyone needs safe, reliable energy, SMUD offers the Energy Assistance Program Rate, or EAPR. If you run a nonprofit that provides housing or temporary shelter for low-income residents, you may be eligible for a nonprofit discount.

Low-income assistance

Eligible low-income SMUD customers can receive a discount on their energy bills, including:

  • discounts of 48% on electricity usage, up to a maximum of $42 per month
  • an $11.50 maximum discount on the $20.30 fixed monthly system infrastructure charge (found on your bill)
  • a $54 per month maximum discount for customers with wells

Do I qualify?

Look at the chart below to see if your household qualifies under EAPR income guidelines.

Download English application
 Descargue una solicitud

If you have additional questions, please view the Energy Assistance Program FAQs or call 1-888-742-7683.

Para obtener información acerca de nuestro descuento de bajos ingresos en español, haga clic aquí.

EAPR income guidelines* (Effective June 1, 2018)

Persons in household

Monthly income

1

$2,023

2

$2,743

3

$3,463

4

$4,183

5

$4,903

6

$5,623

Additional members (each)

$720

*Households are eligible for the discounted rate if their income doesn't exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. These figures reflect that percentage.

Nonprofit discount

If you’re a qualifying customer who operates a nonprofit that provides housing or temporary shelter for low-income residents, you may be eligible for our Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR) for nonprofit agencies. You may qualify for one of two programs if the residents you serve would otherwise be eligible for our residential EAPR:

  • Residential EAPR
  • General Services Energy Assistance Program Rate (GS-EAPR)

Is my nonprofit eligible?

This EAPR discount may be applied to qualified accounts that meet the following requirements:

  • the customer named on the SMUD account must be a nonprofit, IRC 501 (c) (3) organization
  • the account must be a nonprofit public (state, county, city, etc.) or private organization

Additional qualifiers:

  • the facility must be used to house people who would otherwise qualify for our normal EAPR program (low-income households)
  • documentation must be provided to substantiate the above

Other bill assistance programs

We offer several other options to help you pay your bill:

  • Payment arrangements:  See if you qualify for an installment plan, minimum payment or payment extension.
  • Community assistance:  We've partnered with several community organizations to help those in need.
  • Medical equipment discount:  We may be able to help if you have higher electricity costs because of your medical equipment.

2019 EAPR changes

Sometimes, paying your energy bill can create a financial hardship. Life circumstances can change for all of us, and we want to help ensure that you continue to have access to safe, reliable energy.

The Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR) makes electricity more affordable for qualified low-income customers by providing discounts on monthly bills. , Beginning October 2018, we will be phasing in a restructuring of this program so it better serves customers with the greatest need.

For customers at the lowest ranges of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), energy bills tend to take up a larger portion of household income. The result can contribute to long-term economic hardship. Addressing energy affordability can have a positive impact on household finances.

The changes align the monthly discount with household income. Customers with the lowest household income, based on the federal poverty level, will receive the largest discount. EAPR customers with a household income between 0% and 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) would receive the largest monthly discounts. EAPR customers with a household income between 100% and 200% of the FPL would receive smaller discounts than those with incomes between 0% and 100% of the FPL.

To help with this transition, the changes will be phased in over several years. SMUD will assist customers with education and energy efficiency programs to help save energy in their homes to further reduce their energy bills. We’ll also invest in energy efficiency upgrades for customers most in need. These improvements will make a significant lasting impact by raising the overall energy efficiency of local housing.

Monthly maximum EAPR discount

Amounts are based on how your income compares to the Federal Poverty Level and can include a discount on energy use as well as a $10 System Infrastructure Fixed Charge discount.
Federal Poverty Level 2019 2020 2021
0% - 50% $50 $60

$70
 51% - 100% $40 $41  $42 
101% - 150% $30 $25 $20
151% - 200% $30 $20 $10