Support for December 2017 Wildfire Victims

There were a number of wildfires throughout Southern California in December 2017, including in the communities of Bonsall and Fallbrook, including surrounding unincorporated areas, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside and Vista, all located in San Diego County. 

Many of our customers lost their homes and businesses from the fires, and we are committed to working with these customers during this difficult time. 

Here are various customer protections we are offering to those affected by the December 2017 wildfires:

  • Deposit Requirements:  SDGE will waive deposit requirements.
  • Move-ins and move-outs: SDG&E will make every attempt to have service available to the customer on the requested day.
  • Disconnection Charges:  SDG&E does not currently charge a disconnect charge. However, customers impacted by the fires will not be charged a reconnection charge, nor will a deposit be required, until January 11, 2019.
  • Payment Plans:  SDG&E is extending payment arrangements with a 0% down payment and will offer a repayment period of 12 months to all impacted customers.
  • Low Income Customer Emergency Protections: 
    • Partner with the United Way, the administrator of its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program that provides emergency bill assistance, to increase the bill assistance cap amount for impacted customers from $200 to $400.  The additional funds will be made available for impacted customers until January 11, 2019, or until funds are depleted.  
    • Freeze all standard and high-usage reviews for California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program eligibility standards and high-usage post enrollment verification (PEV) requests for all customers in the impacted areas within SDG&E's service territory.  The freeze will be in effect until January 11, 2019.
    • Modify the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program income qualifications until January 11, 2019 by allowing impacted customers to self-certify if: 1) the customer states they lost documentation necessary for income verification because of the Lilac fire;  or 2) if the customer states that individuals displaced by the wildfires reside in the household.
    • SDG&E has been partnering with the American Red Cross and other agencies to provide outreach and information about low-income programs. 
    • SDG&E will continue to work with the local CBOs to place emphasis on the additional measures available to low-income customers impacted by the Lilac fire.
    • Lastly, SDG&E will freeze all standard and high-usage reviews for California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program for all customers in the impacted areas within SDG&E’s service territory. 
  • Medical Baseline:  SDGE is proposing to freeze all recertification for medical baseline customers in the impacted areas within SDG&E’s service territory.  The freeze will be in effect until January 11, 2019.

For customers with DESTROYED PROPERTY

  • All items above
  • Residential Customers: SDG&E will waive closing bills that include charges from the previous regular read date up until the dates the fires occurred, along with charges from the prior month of billing.
  • Commercial Customers:  Closing bill amounts from the previous regular read date up to the dates fires occurred will be waived. 
  • In all instances, the customer will be responsible for any remaining balance after the credits have been applied to the bill.  Please reference above for payment plan, etc.

Get answers to your questions

When customers are ready to re-establish service, or if they have other questions or concerns, please call us at 1-800-411-7343.