LOS ANGELES, CA – More low-income Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) customers are eligible to save 20 percent on their monthly natural gas bill and receive no-cost energy efficient home improvements as a result of updated income guidelines for the state-sponsored California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Energy Savings Assistance Program.

“SoCalGas is committed to enrolling as many eligible customers as possible into our assistance programs,” said Rodger Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. “Together with our community partners, we engage in continuous outreach to help ensure our customers know about the many assistance programs available to help them in difficult economic times.”

The CARE program provides a 20-percent rate discount on the monthly natural gas bill for eligible households. Those who qualify and are approved within 90 days of starting new gas service will also receive a $15 discount on the Service Establishment Charge.

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides no-cost energy efficient home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include door weather-stripping and caulking to keep unwanted drafts out of the home; attic insulation to help the home stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter; low-flow showerheads that can save energy used to heat water; furnace replacement (owner occupied only); high-efficiency clothes washers and other minor home repairs.

With an estimated 1.7 million customers eligible to participate across SoCalGas’ 12-county service territory, SoCalGas has launched an awareness campaign entitled “Right Under Your Nose,” to help customers learn about the benefits of the CARE program.

The campaign will be implemented across print, out-of-home and digital channels throughout Southern California and features attention-getting creative elements including a series of unique mustachioed portraits that exemplify the potential savings that many do not realize are available.

SoCalGas customers may be automatically eligible if they or a household member currently receive benefits from any of the following programs: Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Healthy Families A & B, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), CalWORKs (TANF), Tribal TANF, Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only), The Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA-GA), CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps), National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (NSLP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SoCalGas customers can learn more and apply by visiting http://www.socalgas.com/for-your-home/assistance-programs/

News media can get the latest news by following @SoCalGasNews on Twitter.

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About Southern California Gas Co.

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for 145 years. It is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).