The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs by providing significant discounts on their monthly utility bills. If you’re wondering exactly what kind of savings you can expect, CARE offers a substantial discount to make energy more affordable.
Specifically, customers enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. This can lead to considerable savings throughout the year, helping families to better manage their essential expenses.
These discounts are made possible through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates major utility companies in the state to ensure programs like CARE are available to those who qualify. The program is funded by a rate surcharge paid by utility customers who are not enrolled in CARE, demonstrating a collective effort to support lower-income communities.
To find out the specific discount offered by your energy provider and to apply for the CARE program, you should directly contact your utility company. Each utility has dedicated resources and application processes to assist you. Below is a table with contact information and website links for major California utility providers:
| 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 |
Who Qualifies for the CARE Discount?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household income. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, the income guidelines are effective through May 31, 2025, as shown in the table below:
| 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 be eligible for CARE if you or someone in your household is 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
Understanding the Discount Variation
It’s important to note a slight variation in the electricity discount based on the size of the utility company. For larger electrical corporations with 100,000 or more customer accounts in California, the discount is at the higher end, between 30% and 35%. Smaller electrical corporations offer a 20% discount. Regardless of the specific percentage, the CARE program provides crucial financial relief to eligible households across California.
What About the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program?
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, there’s another option: the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers an 18% discount on electricity bills. FERA is available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (Edison), and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).
Here are the income limits for the FERA program, 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 |
Take the Next Step
If you believe you may be eligible for either the CARE or FERA program, the best course of action is to contact your utility company directly. They can provide you with detailed information, application forms, and guidance on how to enroll. These programs are in place to support California residents and ensure access to affordable energy.
