Are you a California resident looking for ways to lower your energy expenses? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to provide significant relief on your electricity and natural gas bills. If you’re eligible, you could receive a Care Program Discount that makes a real difference in your monthly budget. This program offers a crucial financial cushion for households across California, ensuring access to essential energy services.
Understanding the CARE Program Discount
The CARE program is a state-initiated effort to assist low-income customers in managing their utility costs. Enrolling in CARE can lead to substantial savings: a 30-35 percent discount on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. These discounts are funded through a rate surcharge paid by other utility customers, making it a community-supported initiative to help those who need it most.
To see if you can benefit from this valuable care program discount, it’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria.
Are You Eligible for the CARE Program Discount?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on household income. If your total household income falls at or below the specified limits, you are likely to qualify for the care program discount. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Here are the current CARE income guidelines, effective through May 31, 2025:
| 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 automatically qualify for the care program discount if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These programs indicate that your household is already receiving support due to low income, and thus likely meets the CARE program’s needs-based criteria. Qualifying public assistance 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
Enrolling through participation in these programs simplifies the application process for the care program discount.
How to Apply for the CARE Program Discount
Applying for the CARE program and securing your care program discount is straightforward. The first step is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility company in California manages its CARE program enrollment.
You can request an application form and gather more detailed information by visiting your utility company’s website or contacting them by phone. Here’s a quick reference table to help you reach out to the major utility providers in California:
| 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 |
Application forms are also often available through community agencies and organizations that assist low-income households. These agencies can provide guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring you have the best chance of receiving your care program discount.
Explore Additional Support: The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, there’s another avenue for savings: the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers an 18% discount on electricity bills to eligible 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, to help you determine if you might qualify for additional support beyond the care program discount:
| 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 |
If your income is slightly above the CARE limits but within the FERA guidelines, contacting your electric utility is a worthwhile step to explore these additional savings opportunities.
Take Action and Secure Your Energy Savings Today
The care program discount and related assistance programs are vital resources for eligible California residents. By taking the time to check your eligibility and apply, you can significantly reduce your energy bills and ease your financial burden. Don’t miss out on these valuable savings – reach out to your utility company today to learn more and begin your application process. Lower energy bills and greater financial stability could be just an application away!
