ADVANCE NOTICE (Sept 2021)
Starting on July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 988. It has not yet been determined if this will be available via text. Before 988 can be implemented, phone carriers need to go to 10-digit dialing in some area codes. See more info below.

FCC fact sheets
English fact sheet - https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/988-fact-sheet.pdf
Spanish fact sheet - https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/988-fact-sheet-spanish.pdf

TO PREPARE FOR 988 IMPLEMENTATION
Beginning October 24, 2021, to complete all local calls people in affected area codes will need to dial area code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within affected area codes that are currently dialed with seven digits. Some people may need to dial 1 before the area code and phone number. Affected area codes in California are 209, 530, 562, 626, 650, 707, 925, 949, 951. Upcoming Transitions to Ten-Digit Dialing: Where and When? - https://ww… [read more]

To ensure that you remain safe when doing any digging projects, always call 811 first.

811 is a free service managed by Underground Service Alert and available to everyone.

After you call, Underground Service Alert will contact PG&E and other companies that have underground lines in your area. Representatives will then mark the location of their underground lines so you can avoid them and dig safely. Whether you are planting a tree or a garden, or digging holes for fence posts, call 811 at least two business days before you plan to start your project.

For more information visit California 811 at https://www.california811.org/

8-1-1 is a program of Underground Service Alert (USA). For more info about Northern California visit https://usanorth811.org/

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. It is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

The list of internet service providers at the following link includes providers that have elected to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Contact your preferred provider directly to learn more about their pl… [read more]

The Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) is a debt forgiveness plan for PG&E customers who are eligible. For every on-time payment over a 12-month period, a portion of the customer’s past due amount is reduced. Customers must be enrolled in one of PG&E's financial assistance programs, CARE or FERA, and may also be participating in REACH and/or LIHEAP programs.
 
See ARREARAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP) on this page for more info and FAQs:
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/payment-assistance-overview/payment-assistance-overview.page

Who can participate in AMP?
In order to be eligible for this plan, you must be a residential customer and meet all the following eligibility requirements. You must:

• Be enrolled in one of PG&E's financial assistance programs, CARE or FERA. https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/help-paying-your-bill/longer-term-assistance/care/care.page
• Owe at least $500 or more on your gas and electric bill…

[read more]

AT&T and DIRECTV outage info: https://www.att.com/outages/California. Make sure you type in the zip code.

PG&E's Guard Against Scams web page:
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/customer-service/help/scams/scams.page

If you have doubts about an incoming call from PG&E, hang up and call the PG&E Customer Service number: 833-500-SCAM (833-500-7226).

Offers a payment plan which averages annual energy costs over the past 12 months to determine a monthly payment amount. Allows for consistent monthly energy bills even if energy use changes significantly from season to season. 

Southwest Gas provides a gas bill discount to income-eligible customers. Customers may receive up to a 20% discount on monthly gas bills at their primary residence. Discount is determined by the total gross income for all people living in your household.

• Review income guidelines here: https://myaccount.swgas.com/Portal/#/CareProgramPre
• Apply here if eligible: https://myaccount.swgas.com/Portal/#/EnrollCAREProgramPre

Contact Southwest Gas: https://www.swgas.com/en/contact-us
Contact page includes links to bill pay kiosk locations and more.

California LifeLine provides discounted basic telephone (landline) services to eligible California households.

You can qualify for California LifeLine if you or another person in your household is enrolled in any one of the following public assistance programs:

• Medicaid/Medi-Cal
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
• CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
• National School Lunch Program (NSL)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • 1. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
  • 2. Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKs)
  • 3. Welfare-to-Work (WTW)
  • 4. Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
• Tribal TANF
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
• Food Distribution Progra…

[read more]

California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) offers specialized telephone equipment and network services at no cost to qualified California residents who have difficulty using a standard telephone. To be eligible, you must be certified as having a permanent or temporary disability and you also must:

• Live in California
• Have access to telephone service
  • You must have access to either cell phone or land line service to participate in the program. 

Find Equipment 
CTAP products are geared to meet many needs, and they include:

• Telephones
• Amplifiers
• Ring-signal and speech devices
• Headsets
• Switches
• and accessories

You can find equipment listed by disability type with pictures, descriptions, and operation manuals where available. Find equipment here.

Repair and Exchange Policy
If your equipment is not working properly, get in touch with the Contact Center, or visit one of the Service Centers. More info: https://ddtp.cpuc.ca.gov/default1.aspx?id=1246

Websites:

• California Telephone Ac…

[read more]