Are you looking for ways to reduce your Southern California Edison (SCE) energy bills? The Southern California Edison Care Program is designed to help income-qualified households save money on their monthly electricity and natural gas expenses. This California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers significant discounts to eligible customers, making energy more affordable.
Understanding the Southern California Edison CARE Program
The CARE program, offered by Southern California Edison, provides substantial discounts to help make energy service more affordable for eligible, lower-income customers. If you qualify for CARE, you can receive a 30-35% discount on your electric bill and a 20% discount on your natural gas bill. These discounts can significantly ease your household budget, allowing you to allocate funds to other essential needs.
Who is Eligible for the Southern California Edison CARE Program?
Eligibility for the Southern California Edison CARE program is primarily based on your household income. If your total gross annual household income falls at or below the limits outlined below, you may qualify for the program. These income guidelines are updated annually and are effective through May 31, 2025.
CARE Income Guidelines (Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025)
| 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 |
Beyond income, you may also be eligible for the Southern California Edison CARE program if you or someone in your household is currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These qualifying programs include:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Healthy Families A & B
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program (NSL)
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- 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 the Southern California Edison CARE discount.
How to Apply for the Southern California Edison CARE Program
Applying for the Southern California Edison CARE program is straightforward. The easiest way to apply is through the Southern California Edison website. You can find the CARE application and detailed information on their dedicated CARE program page: CARE Program Application.
You can also request an application form or get more information by contacting Southern California Edison directly:
- Phone: 866-675-6623
- Website: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/care-fera
Southern California Edison representatives can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have about eligibility or required documentation.
Explore Other California Energy Assistance Programs
While the Southern California Edison CARE program is a valuable resource, California offers other energy assistance programs as well. One such program is the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills for families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines. FERA is available to customers of Southern California Edison, as well as PG&E and SDG&E.
For information on FERA and other assistance programs, you can refer to the table below or contact your utility provider directly.
| 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 |
Take Action and Save with Southern California Edison CARE
If you believe you may be eligible for the Southern California Edison CARE program, we encourage you to apply today. Reducing your energy bills can provide significant financial relief, and the CARE program is a valuable resource for income-qualified Southern California Edison customers. Visit the SCE website or call their customer service line to start your application and begin saving on your energy costs.
