The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help low-income households manage their energy expenses. If you’re an eligible customer in California, CARE can significantly lower your utility bills, providing a 30-35 percent discount on electricity and a 20 percent discount on natural gas.
Who Qualifies for the CARE Assistance Program?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on household income. The income limits are updated annually and are effective until May 31, 2025. Here’s a breakdown of the income guidelines:
| CARE Income Guidelines* |
|---|
| Household Size |
| 1-2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| Each Additional Person |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
Beyond income, you may also qualify for the Care Assistance Program if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These include:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Healthy Families A & B
- National School Lunch’s Free Lunch Program (NSL)
- Food Stamps/SNAP
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF
How to Apply for the CARE Program
Applying for the CARE program is straightforward. The first step is to contact your utility company to request an application form and gather more detailed information. Many utility companies also provide online applications through their websites.
Here’s a list of major California utility providers with contact information and website links to their CARE program pages:
| Phone Numbers and Websites for Energy Assistance Programs |
|---|
| Utility |
| PG&E |
| Edison |
| SDG&E |
| SoCalGas |
| Alpine Nat’l Gas |
| Bear Valley Elect |
| PacifiCorp |
| Liberty Utilities |
| Southwest Gas |
| West Coast Gas |
Understanding the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another avenue for relief. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills. It’s available to customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Here are the income limits for the FERA program, also effective through May 31, 2025:
| Household | 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (CARE/ESAP) +1 | 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FERA) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $51,641 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $62,401 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $73,161 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $83,921 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $94,681 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $105,441 | $131,800 |
| Each Additional Person | $10,760 | $13,450 |
Take Action and Save on Your Energy Bills
If you believe you might be eligible for either the CARE assistance program or the FERA program, don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility company. These programs are in place to support California residents and can make a significant difference in managing your household expenses. Contact your utility provider today to learn more and start your application.
