Millions of California households struggle to afford essential utilities, especially energy costs. Recognizing this, California offers crucial assistance programs: the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. These programs provide significant discounts on monthly electricity and natural gas bills for eligible low- and moderate-income households. Understanding the Care Fera Program Eligibility criteria is the first step towards accessing these vital benefits and easing your energy burden.
This guide breaks down the eligibility requirements for both CARE and FERA programs, ensuring you can determine if your household qualifies for much-needed energy bill relief.
CARE Program Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Lower Energy Rates?
The CARE program is designed to help low-income households manage their energy expenses. Eligibility for CARE hinges primarily on two key factors: household income and enrollment in certain public assistance programs.
Income Eligibility for CARE
The most common pathway to CARE eligibility is through meeting specific income limits. These limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and are based on household size. As of June 1, 2024, and effective through May 31, 2025, the CARE income guidelines are as follows:
| Household Size |
Income Eligibility Upper Limit |
| 1-2 |
$40,880 |
| 3 |
$51,640 |
| 4 |
$62,400 |
| 5 |
$73,160 |
| 6 |
$83,920 |
| 7 |
$94,680 |
| 8 |
$105,440 |
| Each Additional Person |
$10,760 |
If your total gross annual household income falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the CARE program based on income.
Enrollment in Public Assistance Programs for CARE Eligibility
Even if your income slightly exceeds the limits, you may still qualify for CARE if you are enrolled in one or more of the following public assistance programs:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Healthy Families A & B
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program (NSLP)
- CalFresh/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- 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
Enrollment in any of these programs automatically qualifies you for CARE, regardless of your specific income level (as long as you meet the program-specific requirements for the qualifying public assistance program).
CARE Program Benefits: What Discounts Can You Expect?
Once enrolled in CARE, you will receive a significant discount on your monthly energy bills. The discount amount varies slightly depending on your utility provider. Generally, customers of major California electric utilities receive a 30-35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill. Smaller electric utilities offer a 20% discount.
Alt text: CARE Income Guidelines Table for 2024-2025 showing income limits for households from 1-2 persons to 8+ persons.
FERA Program Eligibility: Assistance for Moderate-Income Families
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another layer of support. FERA provides a discount specifically on electricity bills for moderate-income households.
Income Eligibility for FERA
FERA has higher income limits than CARE, designed to assist families who are still struggling with energy costs but may not qualify for CARE. The FERA income guidelines are also updated and are effective through May 31, 2025:
| Household Size |
250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FERA) |
| 3 |
$64,550 |
| 4 |
$78,000 |
| 5 |
$91,450 |
| 6 |
$104,900 |
| 7 |
$118,350 |
| 8 |
$131,800 |
| Each Additional Person |
$13,450 |
If your household income falls within these FERA income limits, and exceeds the CARE limits, you may be eligible for FERA. It’s important to note that FERA eligibility is based solely on income and not on enrollment in public assistance programs.
FERA Program Benefits: What Discount is Offered?
FERA provides an 18% discount on your monthly electricity bill. This discount, while slightly less than CARE, still offers substantial savings for eligible families. FERA is currently available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).
Alt text: FERA Income Guidelines Table for 2024-2025, comparing income limits for CARE/ESAP (200% FPL) and FERA (250% FPL) across household sizes.
Key Differences Between CARE and FERA Programs
While both CARE and FERA aim to make energy bills more affordable, understanding their key differences is crucial for determining which program you might be eligible for:
- Income Limits: FERA has higher income limits than CARE, targeting moderate-income households.
- Eligibility Pathways: CARE eligibility is based on both income and enrollment in public assistance programs. FERA eligibility is solely based on income.
- Discount Amounts: CARE generally offers a larger discount (30-35% on electric, 20% on gas) compared to FERA (18% on electricity).
- Program Availability: FERA is currently available to customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E, while CARE is available across a wider range of California utilities.
- Discount Application: CARE applies to both electricity and natural gas bills in many cases, while FERA specifically targets electricity bills.
How to Apply for CARE or FERA: Contact Your Utility Provider
The best way to apply for either the CARE or FERA program is to directly contact your utility company. Each utility has dedicated resources and application processes for these assistance programs. You can find contact information and program details on your utility provider’s website.
For your convenience, here is a table listing major California utility companies with links to their CARE program pages and contact information:
| 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 |
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility provider today to inquire about CARE FERA program eligibility and start saving on your energy bills. These programs are designed to help, and accessing them can make a significant difference in your household budget.
