The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a vital initiative designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs. If you’re a resident of California struggling to pay your utility bills, understanding the income limits for the CARE program is the first step towards potential relief. This program offers significant discounts on both electricity and natural gas bills, making energy more affordable for eligible customers.
What is the California CARE Program?
The CARE program provides a substantial discount to qualifying households: 30-35% on electric bills and 20% on natural gas bills. This discount is funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers, ensuring that those most in need receive crucial financial assistance. The program is available to customers of utility companies regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
To determine if you qualify for these savings, it’s essential to understand the income limits and other eligibility criteria.
2024-2025 Income Limits for CARE Program Eligibility
Eligibility for the CARE program is largely based on your household’s total gross annual income. These income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and are effective for a specific period. The current income limits are effective through May 31, 2025.
Here are the income guidelines to determine your eligibility:
| 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 |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
Understanding the Table: This table clearly outlines the maximum gross annual income your household can earn to qualify for the CARE program. For example, a household of four people can have a maximum annual income of $62,400 to be eligible. For each additional person beyond eight, an extra $10,760 is added to the income limit.
These income limits are crucial for determining your initial eligibility for the CARE program. If your household income falls at or below these thresholds, you are likely to qualify.
Additional Ways to Qualify for CARE
Even if your income is slightly above the listed limits, you might still be eligible for CARE if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. Enrollment in these programs automatically qualifies you for CARE, regardless of your specific income level. 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
If you or someone in your household participates in any of these programs, you should explore the CARE program benefits, even if your income slightly exceeds the standard limits.
What is the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program?
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, California offers the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills. It’s designed as a safety net for households that are still income-constrained but don’t qualify for the deeper discounts of CARE.
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, also effective through May 31, 2025:
| Household | 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (CARE/ESAP) | 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 vs. CARE: This table highlights the income differences between CARE and FERA. FERA accommodates households with slightly higher incomes than CARE, ensuring a broader range of low-to-moderate income families can receive energy bill assistance.
How to Apply for the CARE Program
Applying for the CARE program is straightforward. The best way to apply is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility company has dedicated resources and application forms available. You can typically find information and application forms on their websites.
Here’s a list of major California utility companies and links to their CARE program pages:
| Utility | Website for CARE Program Information |
|---|---|
| PG&E | CARE |
| Edison | CARE |
| SDG&E | CARE |
| SoCalGas | CARE |
| Alpine Natural Gas | PROGRAMS |
| Bear Valley Electric | CARE |
| PacifiCorp | Financial Assistance |
| Liberty Utilities | CARE |
| Southwest Gas | Special Programs |
| West Coast Gas | CARE |
Take Action: Visit your utility provider’s website or call their customer service line to request an application form and get detailed instructions on how to apply. Don’t hesitate to reach out – these programs are in place to support you.
Conclusion
The California CARE program is a significant resource for low-income households in California, offering substantial discounts on energy bills. Understanding the income limits for the CARE program and whether you meet the eligibility criteria is the first step to accessing these valuable benefits. If you believe you qualify, or if you participate in any of the listed public assistance programs, take the next step and contact your utility company today to apply and start saving on your energy costs. Affordable energy is within reach – explore the CARE program and see how it can help you manage your household expenses.
