2022 California Arrearage Payment Program

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What is the 2022 California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit?

The 2022 California Arrearage Payment Program, or 2022 CAPP, wa​s a state program to help pay eligible residential customers’ past due energy utility bills that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2022 CAPP reduced or eliminated qualified residential customers’ unpaid electric and gas bills by directly applying a bill credit to their utility bills. 

Customers did not need to apply for 2022 CAPP. Assistance was distributed by state energy utility companies that chose to participate.

2022 CAPP bill credits were courtesy of the State of California. They were targeted to help residential utility customers who fell behind on their energy bills because of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.​

Customers might have qualified for a 2022 CAPP credit if they had an unpaid energy utility bill for services between March 4, 2020 and December 31, 2021.​


How do I know if I ​qualified for 2022 CAPP?

Energy utilities that applied for and received 2022 CAPP funds were responsible for distributing 2022 CAPP benefits to eligible residential utility customers. 

Residential customers who qualified for a 2022 CAPP benefit automatically received a credit on their energy utility bill. 

The bill credit was labeled one of the following:

  • “2022 California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit” 
  • “2022 Cal. Arrearage Payment Program Credit​”
  • “2022 CAPP Credit” 

Customers may have also been notified through another statement from their energy utility. Residential energy utility customers did not need to apply to receive a 2022 CAPP credit. Energy utilities applied on behalf of all eligible residential customers. Eligibility for a CAPP benefit and the bill credit amount varied depending on the utility and program rules.​

If you have questions about your 2022 CAPP benefit or your eligibility status, please contact your energy utility's customer service department.​​

​​​​Click here to view​ the 2022 CAPP Energy Utility Customer Service Contact List​​​​​

Questions for the Department of Community Services and Development may be directed to (866) 675-6623.​​​

What if I still owe money on my energy bill after 2022 CAPP?

Under 2022 CAPP, your energy utility company was required to offer payment plans to customers with a remaining balance after a 2022 CAPP bill credit was applied to their account. 

Contact your energy utility to learn about payment plans and other programs that may be available to help you pay your bill and reduce your energy costs.

In addition to 2022 CAPP, the State of California may also be able to help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial assistance to help low-income residential households pay their energy bills.

Having difficulty paying your water bill? Financial assistance may be available to help low-income households pay their water or sewer bill through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

​​​CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

2022 CAPP provided a number of consumer protections for residential customers who were eligible for a benefit. 

​Utilities that received 2022 CAPP funding were required to:
​
  • Not disconnect customers with arrearages accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic bill relief period while the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) reviewed and approved all pending 2022 CAPP applications.

  • ​Waive late fees and accrued interest for residential customers awarded a 2022 CAPP benefit.

  • Not disconnect a 2022 CAPP recipient’s utility service for 90 days after a 2022 CAPP benefit was applied, regardless of the balance owed.

  • Notify customers of the option to enter into an extended repayment plan, with late fees and penalties waived, if they received a 2022 CAPP benefit and had a remaining balance after that benefit was applied.​

​RESOURCES

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​​​​Click here for more information about the 2022 California Arrearage Payment Program​​​​
CSD Supporting Page