OAKLAND -- In an ongoing effort to support customers facing financial hardship, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is extending its Match My Payment Program. The program will continue into 2026 while funds last.  

The PG&E Match My Payment Program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000, for qualifying low-to-moderate-income customers to pay past-due energy bills to prevent service disconnections.  

PG&E launched the program in June, with a $50 million commitment to provide more ways for income-eligible customers to catch up on outstanding balances. The company is extending it beyond its original December 31, 2025, end date while funds last. The funding supports PG&E's Match My Payment and Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) programs. 

REACH provides income-eligible customers with a bill credit of up to $300 based on the amount past due. Emergency assistance is available to customers with a disconnection notice.   

Year-to-date, the two PG&E programs have provided nearly $22 million in assistance to over 60,000 customers.  

"We know how challenging it can be for families to keep up with bills in so many aspects of daily life, and we're focused on delivering meaningful support," said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "This extension is about giving more customers the help they need, so they can keep their home comfortable and safe." 

The three counties with the highest number of approved applications and funding include Fresno, Kern, and San Joaquin, where, collectively, PG&E has distributed more than $9.4 million in support. 

PG&E Match My Payment recipients can receive multiple matches throughout the year by paying at least $50 toward a past-due balance of $100 or more. Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four earning less than $128,600 annually may qualify, which is double the income limit under the PG&E REACH program. 

Combined Support for REACH Recipients in 2026

Customers who received a $300 REACH grant are pre-qualified for up to $1,000 through Match My Payment, for a combined benefit of up to $1,300, or while funds last. Eligibility follows federal income guidelines, which are lower than those for the PG&E Match My Payment Program. 

Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. PG&E contracts with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) to process customers' applications for program funding.

Other Income-Eligible Assistance Programs  

PG&E has other assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills:  

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and an average of 38% on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers). 
• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): eligibility guidelines provide a 18% monthly discount on electricity, regardless of household size.  
• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): provides energy-savings improvements at no charge.  
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers.   

Other programs include Medical Baseline, which offers a reduction on energy bills for customers who depend on power for certain medical needs.    To learn more about PG&E's assistance programs, use the free Savings Finder tool or visit pge.com/billhelp.