Are you looking for ways to lower your energy bills in California? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers substantial discounts to eligible low-income households, making energy more affordable. You might be wondering about your Care Program Number and how it relates to accessing these benefits. This guide will explain the CARE program, how to determine your eligibility, and how to find the resources you need to apply and potentially manage your account using a program number.
What is the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program?
The CARE program is designed to help income-qualified households save money on their electricity and natural gas bills. If you qualify and enroll, you can receive a significant discount of 30-35 percent on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. These discounts can make a real difference in managing your household expenses.
This program is available to customers of utility companies regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, including:
- PG&E
- Edison
- SDG&E
- SoCalGas
- Alpine Natural Gas
- Bear Valley Electric
- PacifiCorp
- Liberty Utilities
- Southwest Gas
- West Coast Gas
Who is Eligible for the CARE Program?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household income. The income limits are updated annually and are effective through May 31, 2025. Here are the current income guidelines:
| CARE Income Guidelines* | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
Even if your income slightly exceeds these limits, you may still be eligible if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These programs 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
Finding Your CARE Program Number and Application Information
While the term “care program number” isn’t explicitly used in the application process, you will likely receive a confirmation or reference number when you apply for the CARE program. This number can be helpful when checking your application status or contacting your utility company for inquiries.
To apply for the CARE program and get specific information relevant to your situation, including any application or reference numbers, you should contact your utility company directly. Each utility has dedicated resources and websites to assist you. Here are the contact details and website links for each utility provider:
| Phone Numbers and Websites for Energy Assistance Programs | |
|---|---|
| Utility | Emergency Payment |
| PG&E | 866-743-2273 |
| Edison | 866-675-6623 |
| SDG&E | 800-411-7343 |
| SoCalGas | 800-427-2200 |
| Alpine Nat’l Gas | 209-772-3006 |
| Bear Valley Elect | 800-808-2837 |
| PacifiCorp | 888-221-7070 |
| Liberty Utilities | 800-782-2506 |
| Southwest Gas | 877-860-6020 |
| West Coast Gas | 916-364-4100 |
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program is another option. FERA provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. FERA is available to customers of:
- Southern California Edison
- San Diego Gas and Electric Company
- 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 Lower Your Energy Bills
Both the CARE and FERA programs are valuable resources for eligible California residents to manage their energy costs. While you might not receive an explicit “care program number” initially, understanding the program and its benefits is the first step. Contact your utility company today through the provided phone numbers or websites to learn more, apply for assistance, and discover how these programs can help you save. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to reduce your energy expenses and make your household budget more comfortable.
