The SoCalGas CARE program is designed to help income-qualified households save money on their monthly gas bills. This California Public Utilities Commission-sponsored initiative offers significant discounts, making energy more affordable for those who need it most. To access these valuable benefits, demonstrating your eligibility is a crucial first step. This guide will walk you through the necessary documentation to prove your eligibility for the SoCalGas CARE program, ensuring a smooth and successful application process.
Proving Program Participation for SoCalGas CARE Eligibility
One of the primary ways to qualify for the SoCalGas CARE program is through participation in certain public assistance programs. If you or a member of your household is currently enrolled in one of the programs listed below, you can often use documentation from these programs to verify your eligibility for CARE. This simplifies the application process, allowing you to leverage existing documentation to access energy savings.
Medi-Cal
For those enrolled in Medi-Cal, the following documents are acceptable to prove program participation:
- Current letter of eligibility or Benefits ID card: This must display a valid issue date within the last 12 months, confirming your ongoing enrollment in Medi-Cal.
- Form 1095-B, Health Coverage DHCS 68-0317191: This form serves as official documentation of your health coverage through Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal for Families A&B
If you are enrolled in Medi-Cal for Families A&B, you can demonstrate your participation with:
- Current statement showing monthly premium amount: This statement should be no older than 12 months and clearly indicate the monthly premium amount, confirming your active participation in the program.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
Participants in the WIC program can use the following documents to verify their eligibility:
- WIC Authorization Folder (WAF) with ID Number: The WAF must include your ID number and have a future-dated appointment including month/date/year or a current WIC voucher to be considered valid.
- Award letter or Notice of Action letter: Official letters from the WIC program confirming your enrollment are acceptable.
- WIC Phone App Screenshot of Appointment: A screenshot from the WIC phone application displaying a scheduled appointment can also serve as proof of participation.
CalWORKs (TANF), Tribal TANF
For individuals and families receiving assistance through CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF, acceptable documents include:
- Current Notice of Action, computer printout of benefit letter: This document must show current participation and be dated within the last 12 months to be considered valid proof.
Head Start Income Eligible – Tribal Only
If you are participating in a Tribal-only Head Start program based on income eligibility, you can provide:
- Current Award Letter (Notice of Action): An official award letter confirming your participation.
- Approved Head Start application or statement of enrollment: Documentation showing your approved application or current enrollment in the Head Start program.
CalFresh (Food Stamps)
Participants in the CalFresh program (Food Stamps) can use these documents for CARE eligibility verification:
- Current Award Letter (aka: Notice of Action), or letter of eligibility: These letters must be dated within the last 12 months to be considered current.
Bureau of Indian Affairs – General Assistance
For those receiving General Assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, acceptable documents include:
- Current Notice of Action from County Social Services: A recent notice from social services.
- Copy of current check: A copy of a check received within the last 12 months.
- ID card: An ID card dated within the last 12 months.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
If your child participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), you can use:
- Current Award or Acceptance letter: The letter must explicitly state NSLP participation.
- Current school year Acceptance Letter from School or School district: A letter from the school or district confirming acceptance into the NSLP for the current school year.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Participants in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide:
- Proof of direct payment to the utility or copy of Energy Intake Form (CSD 43): Documentation showing direct payment to the utility company or the Energy Intake Form.
- Proof of LIHEAP Payment to Utility: Evidence of LIHEAP payment made directly to your utility provider.
Supplemental Security Income
For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income, acceptable documents are:
- Notice of Planned Action dated within the last 12 months or recent bank statement of direct deposit: A recent Notice of Planned Action or a bank statement showing direct deposit of SSI benefits.
- IRS Form 1099: IRS Form 1099 documenting your SSI income.
Proving Income for SoCalGas CARE Eligibility
If you do not participate in any of the qualifying programs, you can still be eligible for the SoCalGas CARE program by providing documentation to verify your household income. SoCalGas accepts a wide range of income documentation to ensure accessibility for all eligible customers.
Wages, Salary, Paychecks, Tips, Commissions
To verify income from wages, salary, paychecks, tips, or commissions, you can submit:
- Copies of the two most recent consecutive pay stubs showing gross income: Provide clear copies of your two most recent pay stubs.
- Federal Tax Form: Form 1040 and accompanying worksheets Schedule(s) 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, or Form 2555, or Form W-2, or Form 1065 or Form 1099M for all wage earners in the household.
Social Security (SS), Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Workers Compensation
For income from Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or Workers Compensation, you can use:
- Current statements of Benefits, two most recent copies of Checks, Bank Statements showing the deposits: Provide statements, check copies, or bank statements reflecting these income sources.
- IRS Form 1040, or IRS Form 1099: Relevant IRS forms documenting this income.
Unemployment Benefits
To document unemployment benefits, you can provide:
- Copy of current check or printout from Employment Development Department: A recent check copy or printout from the EDD.
- Two most recent consecutive check or check stubs: Your latest unemployment benefit checks or stubs.
- Award Letter/Notice of Action Letter from Employment Development Department: Official letters from the EDD confirming your benefits.
- Federal Income Tax filing with W2s and/or 1099s attached: Tax filings including relevant income forms.
Pensions and Annuities
For income from pensions and annuities, acceptable documents include:
- Copies of current check, annual statement from pension plan or bank statement showing pension deposit: Provide check copies, annual statements, or bank statements showing pension deposits.
- Two most recent consecutive check or check stubs.
- Most recent Award Letter/Notice of Action.
Disability Compensation
To verify disability compensation income, you can submit:
- Copy of current check, printout from agency or insurance company verifying the amount: Provide a check copy or statement from the relevant agency or insurance provider.
Profit from Self-Employment
For self-employment income, you can use:
- IRS Form 1040, plus Schedule C or C-EZ: Relevant IRS forms detailing self-employment profit.
- IRS Form 1099(s): IRS Form 1099 forms related to self-employment income.
- Affidavit of Income: A sworn statement declaring your self-employment income.
Rental Income, Royalty Income
To document rental or royalty income, provide:
- IRS Form 1040, plus Schedule E for rental income or Form 1065: IRS forms detailing rental or royalty income.
- Rental agreement specifying rent amount and affidavit: A rental agreement and sworn income statement can also be used.
Interest/Dividends from Savings Accounts, Retirement Accounts, Stocks, Bonds
For income from interest or dividends, you can use:
- Monthly or quarterly statement of interest income from bank or agency: Statements showing interest income.
- IRS Form 1040, or IRS Form 1099(s): Relevant IRS forms documenting this income.
Insurance, Legal settlements
To verify income from insurance or legal settlements, provide:
- Settlement documents: Official documents detailing the settlement amounts.
Child and/or Spousal Support
For child and/or spousal support income, you can submit:
- Most recent Court Documents showing child and/or spousal support amounts: Court orders specifying support amounts.
- Copy of current check, or signed letter from paying spouse showing amount and frequency: A recent check copy or a signed letter from the paying spouse.
- Bank Statements: Bank statements showing consistent deposits.
- Affidavit of Income from recipient/Notarized Document: A sworn income statement.
Veteran’s Benefits
To document Veteran’s benefits, you can provide:
- A letter indicating receipt of Veteran’s Pension or copy of V.A. check: Official letters or check copies confirming Veteran’s benefits.
- V.A. two most recent consecutive check or check stubs: Your latest VA benefit checks or stubs.
School Grants, Scholarships, or Other Aid
For school grants, scholarships, or other aid, acceptable documents include:
- Award Letters, two most recent consecutive Pay Stubs, or copy of the check or financial statement of annual benefit from college, university, or bank: Provide award letters, pay stubs, check copies, or financial statements from the educational institution or bank.
Support from an Individual
If you receive support from an individual, you can use:
- Copy of check and statement signed by person providing support showing amount and frequency: A check copy and a signed statement from the individual providing support.
- Affidavit from the individual: A sworn statement from the individual providing support.
Other sources of income
For any other sources of income not listed, provide:
- Documentation of other monies received by your household and used to pay your monthly bills: Documentation proving other income sources used for household expenses.
None of the Sources Above
If none of the above income sources apply to your household, you can submit:
- A statement explaining the sources of income used to support your household: A written statement detailing your income sources.
- Affidavit of Income: A sworn statement about your household income.
Key Guidelines for Submitting Your Documents
When submitting documentation for the SoCalGas CARE program, keep the following points in mind:
- Current Documents: Ensure all documents are current. Documents for program participation should generally be dated within the last 12 months.
- Screenshot/Copy Requirements: If providing screenshots or copies, ensure they are clear and readable and include:
- A clear and readable image
- The name of the issuing agency or website
- The customer’s or household member’s name
- The date (current or within the last 12 months)
- The amount, if demonstrating income proof
- Protect Your Information: For your security, black out Social Security numbers and bank account numbers on all copies of documents.
Conclusion
Understanding the documentation required for Socalgas Care Program Eligibility is essential for a successful application. Whether you are proving eligibility through participation in a qualifying program or by verifying your household income, having the correct documents ready will streamline the process. By preparing the necessary paperwork, you can take advantage of the CARE program’s benefits and reduce your monthly SoCalGas bill. Remember, the CARE program is funded to assist eligible California customers, and funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply today to start saving.
Please note: The CARE program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SoCalGas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Program funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until such funds are no longer available. This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice. Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.
