Help with your past due natural gas bill.
The 2022 California Arrearage Payment Program, or 2022 CAPP, is a state program to help pay residential customers’ eligible past due energy utility bills that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 CAPP reduces qualified customers’ unpaid energy bills by directly applying a credit to their utility bills. Customers do not need to apply for 2022 CAPP and assistance will be distributed by Southwest Gas, a state utility who elected to participate in 2022 CAPP.
2022 CAPP bill credits are a courtesy of the State of California and are targeted to help residential utility customers that fell behind on their energy bills because of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residential customers may qualify for a 2022 CAPP credit if they had an unpaid energy utility bill for services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic relief period of March 4, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
Customers may qualify for a CAPP credit if they had an unpaid energy utility bill over 60 days past due incurred between March 4, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
More Information
For more information about the 2022 California Arrearage Payment Program contact Southwest Gas at
877-860-6020
or visit the California Department of Community Services & Development program page at
csd.ca.gov/CAPP
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if I qualified for 2022 CAPP?
Energy utilities that apply for and receive 2022 CAPP funds are responsible for distributing 2022 CAPP benefits to eligible residential utility customers. Customers that qualify for a 2022 CAPP benefit will automatically receive a credit on their energy utility bill. The credit will be labeled “2022 California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit.” Customers will also be notified through a bill statement on their gas bill. Southwest Gas customers do not need to apply to receive a CAPP credit, Southwest Gas has applied on behalf of all eligible residential customers. Commercial accounts are not eligible for 2022 CAPP. Eligibility for a 2022 CAPP benefit and the amount of a bill credit will vary depending on program rules.
What if I still owe money on my energy bill after 2022 CAPP?
Under 2022 CAPP, Southwest Gas is required to offer payment plans to customers with a remaining balance after a 2022 CAPP benefit has been applied to their account. Contact Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020 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 residential households through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – which provides financial assistance to help low-income households pay their energy bills.
2022 CAPP provides a number of consumer protections for customers that are eligible to receive a 2022 CAPP benefit. As an applicant for 2022 CAPP funding, Southwest Gas is required to:
- Not disconnect customers with arrearages accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic bill relief period while CSD reviews and approves all pending 2022 CAPP applications.
- Waive late fees and accrued interest for customers awarded a CAPP benefit.
- Not disconnect a 2022 CAPP recipient’s gas service for 90 days after a 2022 CAPP benefit is applied, regardless of the balance owed.
- Notify customers of the option to enter into an extended payment plan, with late fees and penalties waived, if they received a 2022 CAPP benefit and have a remaining balance after that benefit is applied.
