Past Due Bill Forgiveness
Past Due Bill Forgiveness
How it Works
Past Due Bill Forgiveness provides an opportunity for qualifying SoCalGas® residential customers to have their eligible past due bills forgiven. Once enrolled, every time a current bill is paid in full and on time, SoCalGas will forgive 1/12 of the eligible debt. After 12 consecutive monthly natural gas bills are paid in full and on time, the full amount of the eligible debt will be forgiven (up to a maximum of $8,000 per enrollment period).
If you do not meet the requirements to participate in Past Due Bill Forgiveness, you may still be able to take advantage of one of our other assistance programs.
How to Qualify
- Must be a residential customer enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE).
- Customer must have an active service account with SoCalGas for a six-month period before enrolling in the plan.
- Customer has paid at least one full monthly natural gas bill on time in the two years before enrolling in the plan.
- Customer has a balance of $250 or greater in eligible past due natural gas bills, and some portion of the past due amount must be at least 90 days in arrears.
How to Enroll
Complete your application online and see if you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
The amount eligible for forgiveness is the total amount of eligible past-due bills that may result in disconnection as of the enrollment date. The maximum amount eligible for Past Due Bill Forgiveness is $8,000 per enrollment period.
Any new bills issued on or after the date that you've been enrolled in Past Due Bill Forgiveness and all third party charges, are not eligible for forgiveness.
You must complete 12 consecutive on-time payments of your total current bill charges.
If a payment is missed, it will have to be paid in full along with the next immediate bill on time. You can miss up to two non-consecutive payments, as long as they are paid in full the following month. Missing two payments in a row will result in termination from Past Due Bill Forgiveness.
You can unenroll from Past Due Bill Forgiveness at any time. If you stop participating before reaching twelve on-time payments, the already forgiven amount will stay forgiven. However, your remaining debt will no longer be eligible for forgiveness and will go back to your balance. If you wish to unenroll, please call us at 1-877-238-0092.
If you have completed or have been terminated from Past Due Bill Forgiveness, you are eligible to sign up again after a 12-month waiting period that begins the first month after completion or termination, as applicable. You will need to meet the eligibility requirements upon re-enrollment.
Past Due Bill Forgiveness is a debt forgiveness payment plan option administered by SoCalGas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
More Assistance Options
Discover more ways to save on your natural gas bill.
Receive Natural Gas at the Lowest Rate
Customers with serious medical conditions may qualify for Medical Baseline Allowance.
Gas Assistance Fund
Receive a one-time grant to assist with your monthly natural gas bill.