SSNSocial Security Number
A nine-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration used for taxation, credit reporting, employment, and banking.
Statutory Authority / Agency: Social Security Administration (SSA)
Locate your local electric, gas, and water providers by county, discover No-SSN activation & deposit waiver tips, and calculate 20-35% CARE & FERA bill discounts.
This guide and calculator are based on California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) guidelines and Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 739.1/§ 739.12. User inputs are calculated locally in the browser and never stored.
Enter your household size and gross annual income to instantly check eligibility for California's 20-35% electric and gas rate discount programs.
Meets CARE Income Threshold (≤ 200% FPL): Your household income of $48,000 is within the $62,400 limit for a 4-person household, qualifying you for 30-35% electric and 20% gas discounts.
Select your county and service type to view your designated electric, gas, or water provider, online setup portal, and multilingual support.
No-SSN Policy: Accepts Passport, Visa, ITIN for online or phone setup
No-SSN Policy: Accepts foreign passport & gov-issued ID via customer support
No-SSN Policy: Same-day activation with foreign passport or ITIN
No-SSN Policy: Setup with passport and signed lease agreement
No-SSN Policy: Government photo ID accepted for identity verification
No-SSN Policy: Passport and visa accepted for new account creation
No-SSN Policy: Water account setup with lease agreement and passport
No-SSN Policy: Setup with lease agreement and state/foreign ID
Essential steps and accepted identification to establish utilities even without a US credit score or SSN.
Check your lease agreement or confirm with your landlord which companies supply electric, gas, and water to your rental unit.
Prepare your SSN if available, or foreign passport, US visa, I-94, or ITIN if applying as a new immigrant without SSN.
Submit your start-service application online or by phone with your move-in date to ensure power and water are active upon arrival.
Once your account number is issued, immediately apply online for CARE or FERA to ensure your first billing statement is discounted.
Look up the full expansions and plain-language definitions of key abbreviations and legal terms used throughout our California guides.
A nine-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration used for taxation, credit reporting, employment, and banking.
A nine-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS for foreign nationals and residents who are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
The state regulatory agency that oversees privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water utilities and sets consumer protection rules.
A state-mandated program providing a 30-35% discount on electric bills and 20% on natural gas bills for households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
A rate assistance program offering an 18% discount on electricity for households of 3 or more members with income between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level.
Income thresholds issued annually by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine eligibility for low-income assistance programs.
A federally funded program helping low-income households manage heating and cooling energy costs and resolve utility disconnection crises.