The rising cost of living can make essential bills, like energy, a significant burden, especially for low-income households. The California Care Assistance Program, officially known as the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, is designed to provide crucial financial relief on monthly electricity and natural gas bills for eligible customers. This program ensures that essential energy services remain affordable for those who need assistance most.
What is the California CARE Assistance Program?
The CARE program offers substantial discounts to help reduce your energy expenses. If you qualify, you can receive a 30-35 percent discount on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. These discounts are designed to make a real difference in your monthly budget, allowing you to allocate funds to other essential needs.
This program is available to customers of utility companies regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. These companies include major providers like PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, as well as smaller regional providers. The discounts are funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers, ensuring the program’s sustainability and reach.
Who is Eligible for the CARE Assistance Program?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on household income. If your total household income is at or below the specified income limits, you are likely to qualify. These income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and inflation.
Below are the current CARE Income Guidelines, effective through May 31, 2025:
It’s important to note that these income limits are effective from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Be sure to check for updated guidelines after this date.
Beyond income, you can also qualify for the CARE program if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. This ensures that individuals already receiving aid through other channels can easily access energy bill assistance as well. These qualifying public assistance 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 the California CARE Assistance Program, simplifying the application process.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (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 Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The FERA program serves as a safety net for families who are just above the CARE income threshold but still struggle with energy costs. The income limits for FERA are higher than CARE, accommodating a broader range of low-to-moderate income households.
Here are the FERA Income Guidelines effective through May 31, 2025:
If your household income falls within these FERA guidelines but exceeds CARE limits, you should explore the FERA program to see if you qualify for this additional assistance.
How to Apply for the CARE Assistance Program
Applying for the California CARE Assistance Program is straightforward. The best way to start is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility company has dedicated resources and application forms available to assist you. You can reach out to them via phone or visit their websites for detailed information and online application options.
Many community agencies also provide application forms and assistance with the CARE program. These agencies can offer guidance and support throughout the application process, especially for those who may find it challenging to navigate the system on their own.
For your convenience, here is a table with contact information and website links for major California utility companies offering 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 |
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility provider or a local community agency to explore your eligibility and begin the application process for the California Care Assistance Program today. Reducing your energy bills can significantly improve your financial well-being, and these programs are in place to support you.
