Millions of California households struggle to afford essential utilities. Recognizing this, California has implemented Care Programs like the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program to provide crucial financial assistance. These programs offer significant discounts on energy bills for eligible low-income customers, ensuring access to essential services. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your energy expenses, understanding and applying for these care programs could provide much-needed relief.
What is the California CARE Program?
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help income-qualified households manage their electricity and natural gas costs. Through care programs like CARE, eligible customers receive a substantial discount on their utility bills. Specifically, those enrolled in CARE benefit from a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. This can significantly reduce the financial burden of energy expenses for participating families.
Who is Eligible for CARE Programs?
Eligibility for care programs like CARE is primarily based on household income. Customers whose total household income is at or below the specified income limits qualify for the program. These income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of the latest update, the income limits are effective through May 31, 2025, and are outlined in the table below:
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, customers may also automatically qualify for care programs if they are 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’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 in any of these programs can streamline your application process for care programs like CARE.
Understanding the Discount Structure of CARE Programs
The discount offered through care programs can vary slightly depending on the size of the utility company. For larger electrical corporations, defined as those with 100,000 or more customer accounts in California, the discount is mandated at 30% – 35% as per Public Utilities Code Section 739.1. Smaller electrical corporations, with fewer than 100,000 customer accounts, offer a 20% discount. Regardless of the specific percentage, the savings provided by these care programs are significant for low-income households.
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 relief. FERA, another crucial component of California’s care programs, provides an 18% discount on electricity bills. FERA is available to customers of major utility companies like Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The income limits for FERA are higher than CARE, allowing more families to benefit from energy bill assistance.
FERA Income Guidelines (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 |
How to Apply for CARE and FERA Programs
To apply for care programs such as CARE and FERA, or to gather more detailed information, the first step is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility company has dedicated resources and application processes for these programs. You can reach out to them via phone or through their websites. Below is a table listing contact information and website links for major California utility providers to help you access care programs:
| 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 |
In addition to contacting your utility, application forms may also be available through various community agencies. These care programs are funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers, demonstrating a community-supported approach to ensuring affordable energy for all Californians. Don’t hesitate to reach out and explore how these care programs can help you manage your energy bills.
