For California residents looking for ways to reduce their utility expenses, especially during times when household budgets are tight, understanding programs like CARE and FERA is crucial. As part of our commitment at cardiagnostictool.store to helping you manage your vehicle maintenance and overall expenses wisely, we want to bring valuable information about these energy assistance programs to your attention. These initiatives can significantly lower your energy bills, freeing up resources that could be better allocated to car maintenance or other essential needs.
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers substantial discounts to eligible low-income customers. If you qualify for CARE, you could receive a 30-35 percent discount on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. This program is designed to make energy services more affordable for households that meet specific income requirements or participate in certain public assistance programs.
To find out if you are eligible and to apply for the CARE program, it’s essential to contact your utility company directly. Each utility provider has dedicated resources and application processes for CARE. Below is a table listing major California utility companies along 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 |
Eligibility for CARE is primarily based on your household income. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, the income guidelines are effective through May 31, 2025, as shown in the table below.
| 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 limits, you may also qualify for CARE if you are enrolled in specific public assistance programs. These include programs like Medicaid/Medi-Cal, WIC, SNAP (Food Stamps), SSI, and others designed to support low-income families and individuals. The broad range of qualifying programs ensures that assistance reaches those who need it most.
It’s worth noting that the CARE program is funded through a surcharge on other utility customers’ bills, demonstrating a community effort to support vulnerable households. The income limits are reviewed and potentially adjusted each year to keep pace with inflation and economic changes. For additional oversight and guidance on these low-income energy assistance programs, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is advised by the Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB).
Exploring 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 utility bill relief. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills. It’s specifically available to customers of major electric utilities like Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
To see if your family might qualify for FERA, review the income limits provided by your electric utility. The following table outlines the income limits for FERA, effective through May 31, 2025, and compares them to the CARE program limits:
| 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 |
Understanding both CARE and FERA programs can help California residents effectively manage their energy costs. We encourage you to contact your utility company directly to get detailed information about eligibility, application processes, and how these programs can assist you in saving money on your monthly bills. Just as we strive to provide you with the best tools and knowledge for vehicle maintenance at cardiagnostictool.store, exploring these energy assistance programs is another step towards smart financial management for your household.
