To help customers manage and pay bills, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has mandated that all small business customers with arrears older than 60 days be automatically enrolled in a monthly payment plan, also known as the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan.
As part of ongoing efforts to help our customers manage their bills, SoCalGas will automatically enroll eligible customers in this new COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan starting September 30, 2021. If enrolled, small business customers will receive a confirmation letter with payment plan details.
How Does the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Work?
The COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan for small business customers is a customized payment plan that takes eligible past due balances and distributes them over an extended period with the monthly installment amount not exceeding a small percentage of the business’s historical monthly bill. Enrollment of eligible accounts is automatic, and no action is required unless customers wish to make other payment arrangements or do not wish to participate in the payment plan.
If you believe that your small business qualifies for the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan and you have not been automatically enrolled, you may self-certify by providing an affidavit to our Credit and Collections Department.
COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Eligibility
- The account must be for an active small business customer
- A portion of the account’s unpaid balances must be at least 60 days past due
- The account has never been enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan
- The account is not currently participating in any other payment plan
- The account is not currently on a Level Pay Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was I enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan without my consent?
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has mandated that all SoCalGas small business customers with arrears (past due balances) older than 60 days be automatically enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Plan starting September 30, 2021. Your account met the eligibility criteria defined by the CPUC.
What are the eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan?
The eligibility criteria for small business customers are:
- The account must be for an active small business customer
- A portion of the account’s unpaid balances must be at least 60 days past due
- The account has never been enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan
- The account is not currently participating in any other payment plan
- The account is not currently on a Level Pay Plan
What if I do not wish to participate in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan?
If you have not yet been enrolled, you may prevent being automatically enrolled in the payment plan by doing one of the following: paying your past due balances in full, starting a Level Pay Plan, or agreeing to a standard payment plan with a payback period of up to 12 months.
If you have already been enrolled and do not wish to participate in this payment plan, please pay your past due balances in full or call our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800-427-2000.
Please note that if you do not take steps towards paying your past due balances or enrolling in one of the plans mentioned above, your account will be at risk of service interruption.
What is the length of the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan?
A customized payment plan is created for small business customers. The payment plan takes eligible past due balances* and distributes them over an extended period so that the monthly installment amount does not exceed a small percentage of the business's historical monthly bill.
*The past due balances eligible for this payment plan do not include third-party charges, sales orders, and certain revenue protection charges.
How much do I need to pay to remain on the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan?
It will be necessary for you to add the monthly installment amount provided in your payment plan summary to your regularly scheduled monthly bill and pay the combined total of both amounts before your bill's due date to remain on the payment plan.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Small business customers enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan may miss only one monthly installment payment per year. A monthly installment is considered missed if the full amount is not paid by the due date listed on your monthly bill. Missing a second monthly installment payment within one year will result in removal from the payment plan.
What if I cannot afford to pay the monthly installment amount all at once?
If you are unable to pay the monthly installment in one lump sum, you may make multiple payments so long as the total amount paid satisfies the installment amount on or before the due date specified on your bill. For example: if your monthly installment amount is $50 with a due date of 01/25/2022, you may make two payments of $25 each, so long as both are made by 01/25/2022.
How can I change my payment plan?
Unfortunately, modification of the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan is not permitted. If you are unable to follow the requirements of the payment plan, your plan will end, and your past due balances will become due and payable. If you still need more time to pay, you may enroll in a new payment plan with a payback period of up to 12 months.
My small business wasn't enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan. What can I do to be placed on it?
If your small business was not automatically enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan, your account does not meet the eligibility criteria at this time. Please review eligibility guidelines above to learn more. If you believe that your small business qualifies for the payment plan, you may self-certify by providing an affidavit to our Credit and Collections Department. For more details, please contact our Credit and Collections Department at 1-800-427-1687. Their office hours are Monday – Friday 7:00AM to 3:30PM PT (closed 9AM-9:20AM, 11:30AM-12PM, 2PM-2:20PM).
I have signed up for automatic monthly payments through My Account. Do I need to change my recurring payment settings?
Yes, if you wish to participate in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan, you may need to modify your recurring payment settings. If your My Account settings are set to pay entire balances, and you would like to pay the monthly installment amount outlined in your payment plan, you will need to stop your automatic monthly payments. If your My Account settings are set to pay a fixed payment amount each month, you may potentially miss a payment plan installment and risk removal from the plan if your fixed payment amount does not cover the required monthly installment amount.
Can I be automatically enrolled in the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan if I am a summary billed customer?
If you are a summary billed customer, you are unfortunately ineligible for this payment plan.
What types of past due charges can be paid off through the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan?
Closeable past due balances are eligible for this payment plan. Third-party charges, sales orders, and certain revenue protection charges are ineligible.
The COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan is one of many relief assistance plans administered by SoCalGas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
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