Due to an overwhelming customer response, we have reached our planned capacity for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) pilot and are no longer enrolling new applicants at this time. If you have already applied, we will continue to process applications in the order received. Some qualified customers who submitted their applications will be waitlisted until there is capacity. Please refer to the FAQ below for more information.
To help residential customers manage and pay bills, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) pilot program to help reduce utility disconnections for non-payment of electric and natural gas bills. PIPP is a pilot program with limited availability. Not all eligible customers may be enrolled during the pilot timeframe.
When a qualifying customer enrolls in PIPP, their utility bill is capped at 4% of monthly household income for electricity and natural gas, with monthly bills not exceeding a certain amount.
How to Qualify:
PIPP eligibility is limited to active residential customers enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program and who either:
- reside in one of the zip codes with the highest rates of recurring disconnections
OR - have been disconnected two or more times during the 12 months prior to the disconnection moratorium as set by the CPUC
OR - are at risk of imminent disconnection of service
More Information
For more information and to speak with the PIPP support team, call 1-888-431-2226 from Monday through Friday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM PT or email SCGprocessing@socalgas.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
I qualify for PIPP—why was I not enrolled?
Please note that PIPP is a pilot program with limited availability, and not all eligible customers may be enrolled during the pilot timeframe. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
A qualified customer may be waitlisted for PIPP, and should an enrollment opportunity become available, a member of the PIPP support team will contact the customer to proceed with the enrollment process.
When will I see the PIPP bill cap reflected on my monthly SoCalGas bill?
PIPP bill cap (shown as PIPP Discount on your bill) will be applied to your bill the month following the date of enrollment.
Will I see PIPP mentioned on my monthly bill?
The PIPP bill cap will be shown on your monthly SoCalGas bill and appear after the CARE discount.
How does PIPP affect my past and future SoCalGas bills?
A PIPP bill cap will only apply to current charges while a customer is enrolled in the pilot program. Past due balances are not eligible.
What happens to my past due balances while enrolled in PIPP?
You are still responsible for paying any past due balances and the PIPP bill cap amount. A PIPP bill cap will only apply to current charges while a customer is enrolled in the pilot program. Past due balances are not eligible. If you have past due balances on your account, please pay accordingly, enroll in a payment plan, or see if you qualify for SoCalGas customer assistance programs.
What happens to the bill difference?
The line-item bill credit (shown as PIPP Discount on your bill) should be either (a) the difference between the bill cap and the actual bill, or (b) the line-item discount is zero if the actual bill is lower than the bill cap.
When was the start date of the disconnections moratorium?
The start date of the disconnections moratorium was March 4, 2020.
What are the zip codes with the highest rates of recurring disconnections?
The zip codes are:
| 90001 | 90002 | 90003 | 90008 | 90011 |
| 90016 | 90018 | 90037 | 90043 | 90044 |
| 90047 | 90201 | 90220 | 90250 | 90255 |
| 90280 | 90302 | 90731 | 92335 | 93230 |
How long is the duration of the pilot program?
The PIPP pilot program has a duration of 48 months, concluding in February 1, 2027.
What happens if I miss a payment while enrolled in PIPP?
Customers enrolled in PIPP will not be removed from the program if they have missed payments. SoCalGas will continue to follow existing bill collection processes to address missed payments for customers participating in PIPP.
What happens if I change my mind and no longer want to be enrolled in PIPP?
Customers enrolled in PIPP may request to be removed at any time. To speak with the PIPP support team, call 1-888-431-2226 from Monday through Friday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM PT.
If I request to be removed from PIPP, will I be able to re-enroll?
Participants may re-submit an intake form online or by mail so long as they remain eligible. Enrollment is subject to pilot participation availability.
What happens to my PIPP enrollment if I move?
If a residential customer moves and opens an account at another residence within the SoCalGas service territory within 30 days, they should remain enrolled in PIPP. However, if a residential customer moves outside of the SoCalGas service territory, they must contact their new service provider to see if they offer PIPP enrollment.
What would make me ineligible for PIPP?
PIPP eligibility would exclude:
-Master-metered operators and its sub-metered tenants
-Customers who do not have and Advanced Meter (AM), or have opted out of AM installation
-Core Aggregation Transportation (CAT) customers
-Customers enrolled in Heat-Only
-Customers enrolled in Level Pay Plan
Why do I need an Advanced Meter to participate in PIPP?
SoCalGas will need actual usage data versus the estimated amount of gas used to issue a bill. Customers who do not have an Advanced Meter and have opted out may choose to have an Advanced Meter installed to participate in the pilot.
Can I be enrolled in both PIPP and Level Pay Plan?
You cannot be enrolled in both PIPP and Level Pay Plan. When enrolled in PIPP, Level Pay Plan customers will be removed from Level Pay Plan. If Level Pay Plan is preferred by the customer, they may reach out to the PIPP Support Team to be unenrolled from PIPP.
Customer Assistance Programs
You may qualify for other SoCalGas customer assistance programs that could help with your monthly bill, home energy use, and medically related heating needs.