What Income Is Considered Low Income for SDGE CARE Program?

The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help low-income customers in California afford their energy bills. If you are a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customer and are wondering if you qualify for this program, understanding the income guidelines is the first step. CARE provides a significant discount of 30-35 percent on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill, making energy more affordable for eligible households.

To determine if you meet the low-income criteria for the SDG&E CARE program, you need to consider your household size and total gross annual income. The income limits are updated annually and are effective through May 31, 2025. Here are the current income guidelines:

This table indicates that for a household of 1 to 2 people, the maximum gross annual income to qualify for CARE is $40,880. For a larger family of 4, the income limit is $62,400. If your household size and income fall at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the SDG&E CARE program.

Besides income eligibility, you can also qualify for CARE if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. 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 automatically qualifies you for CARE, regardless of your gross annual income.

It’s important to note that these income guidelines and program details are specific to the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and may vary for other assistance programs. For customers whose income slightly exceeds the CARE limits, there is also the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers an 18% discount on electricity bills for eligible customers of Southern California Edison, SDG&E, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

To get more detailed information about the SDG&E CARE program, including how to apply and specific eligibility questions, it is best to contact SDG&E directly. Here is a table with contact information for SDG&E and other utility companies in California that offer the CARE program:

For SDG&E CARE program inquiries, you can call them directly at 800-411-7343 or visit their website for more information and application forms. Taking advantage of the CARE program can significantly reduce your energy costs if you qualify, helping to make your household budget more manageable.