Are you struggling to keep up with your energy bills in California? Southern California Edison (Edison) understands the challenges faced by many households and offers two crucial programs to help: the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. These programs, often referred to collectively as the Edison Care Fera Program, are designed to provide significant discounts on your electricity and natural gas bills, making energy more affordable for eligible customers.
Understanding the Edison CARE Program
The Edison CARE program is a state-mandated initiative that provides substantial discounts to low-income households. If you qualify for CARE, you could receive a 30-35% discount on your electric bill and a 20% discount on your natural gas bill. This can lead to significant savings each month, helping you manage your household budget more effectively.
Eligibility for the Edison CARE program is primarily based on your household income. As of June 1, 2024, the income limits are as follows:
| 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 qualify for the Edison CARE program if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These 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
Exploring the Edison FERA Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another avenue for savings. The Edison FERA program provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. While FERA focuses solely on electricity discounts, it can still make a considerable difference in your monthly expenses.
The income limits for the Edison FERA program are higher than those for CARE, making it accessible to a broader range of households. Here are the income guidelines 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 |
FERA is specifically available to customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
How to Apply for Edison CARE and FERA Programs
Applying for the Edison CARE FERA program is straightforward. The best way to start is to contact Edison directly. You can request an application form and get detailed information about both programs by visiting the Edison website dedicated to assistance programs or by calling their dedicated phone line.
Contact Information for Edison Energy Assistance Programs:
- Phone: 866-675-6623
- Website: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/care-fera
Don’t let high energy bills strain your budget. Explore the Edison CARE FERA program today and see if you qualify for significant discounts that can help you save money and make your energy bills more manageable. Take advantage of these valuable resources designed to support California residents.
