Are you struggling with high energy bills in California? You might be eligible for significant discounts through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program. This initiative is designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs, ensuring access to essential utilities. If you’re looking to reduce your electricity and natural gas expenses, understanding and applying for the CARE program is a crucial step.
Understanding the California CARE Program
The CARE program offers substantial discounts to eligible customers, making energy bills more affordable. Participants in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. These discounts can significantly ease the financial burden of utility expenses for qualifying households.
Who is Eligible for CARE?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on household income. If your total household income falls at or below the specified income limits, you are likely to qualify. Here are the CARE income guidelines, effective through 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 |
Beyond income, you can also qualify for CARE if you are 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 makes you eligible for CARE, simplifying the application process.
How to Apply for the CARE Program
Applying for the CARE program is straightforward. The first step is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility provider in California handles CARE applications, and you can reach out to them via phone or website.
Here’s a table with contact information for major utility companies in California to help you apply for the CARE program:
| 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 |
You can visit the websites listed in the table to find online application forms and detailed instructions. Alternatively, you can call the provided phone numbers to request an application form and speak with a representative who can guide you through the process. For instance, if you are a customer of Southern California Edison (SCE), you would visit the Edison CARE program page or call their dedicated number to start your application for the SCE CARE program.
Application forms are also often available through community agencies, offering another avenue for enrollment assistance.
Exploring Additional Assistance: The FERA Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, there is another option: the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills for eligible customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company.
Here are the income limits for the FERA program, also 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 household income falls within these ranges and you are a customer of one of the specified utilities, you should inquire about the FERA program as well.
Take Action Today to Reduce Your Energy Bills
The CARE and FERA programs are valuable resources for California residents struggling with energy costs. By applying for the CARE program, you can significantly reduce your monthly utility bills and ensure consistent access to essential energy services. Contact your utility provider today to learn more and begin your application process. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your energy expenses more manageable.
