The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers crucial financial assistance to low-income households by providing significant discounts on their electricity and natural gas bills. For eligible customers, this can mean a 30-35 percent reduction on electric bills and a 20 percent discount on natural gas, making energy more affordable. A common question for seniors and those on fixed incomes is, does Social Security count as income for the CARE program? Understanding how income is defined is key to determining eligibility and accessing these valuable benefits.
CARE Program Basics
The CARE program is designed to help California residents with limited incomes manage their energy costs. It’s funded through a surcharge on other utility customers’ bills and administered by various utility companies throughout the state. The program aims to ensure that essential energy services are accessible to those who need them most.
To apply for CARE, you need to contact your utility provider directly. Each utility has its own application process and website with detailed information. Here’s a quick reference table with contact information for major California utilities:
| 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 |
Income Eligibility and Social Security
Yes, Social Security benefits are generally counted as income when determining eligibility for the California CARE program. The CARE program uses household income to assess need, and Social Security, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, is considered part of your total household income.
The income limits for CARE are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, these are the income guidelines in effect until 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 |
To determine if you qualify, you’ll need to calculate your total gross household income, which includes income from all sources, including Social Security. If your household income falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the CARE program.
Other Qualifying Factors for CARE
Besides meeting the income guidelines, you can also qualify for CARE if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These programs demonstrate a need for financial assistance and automatically qualify you for CARE, regardless of your gross income (as long as you are enrolled in the qualifying program). 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
Enrollment in any of these programs can streamline your CARE application process.
Understanding FERA: An Additional Assistance Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE limits, California offers the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides a smaller discount of 18% on electricity bills. It’s available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company.
Here are the income limits for FERA, 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 |
If your income is above the CARE limits but below the FERA limits, it’s worth checking your eligibility for FERA to still receive some energy bill relief.
Take Action and Apply for CARE
If you believe you may qualify for the CARE program, or even FERA, the next step is to contact your utility company. They can provide you with application forms and answer any specific questions you have about eligibility, including how Social Security income is considered. Don’t miss out on these valuable programs designed to make energy costs more manageable for eligible California households. Lowering your energy bills can free up your budget for other essential needs, and the CARE program is a significant resource for those who qualify.
