The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a vital resource for low-income households in California, designed to ease the burden of energy costs. If you’re an SDG&E customer and wondering, , it’s essential to understand the program’s scope and benefits. While CARE is specifically focused on reducing your energy bills, it indirectly supports broader household affordability, including potential access to internet services. Let’s delve into what SDG&E CARE offers and how it can help.
Understanding the SDG&E CARE Program
SDG&E, like other major California utility companies, participates in the state-mandated CARE program. This program provides significant discounts on your monthly energy bills. Specifically, CARE enrollees receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. These discounts can substantially lower your utility expenses, freeing up funds for other essential needs, which could include internet access.
To determine if you qualify for these savings, SDG&E has established income guidelines. Eligibility is based on household size and total household income. Here are the current income limits to qualify for CARE:
| 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.
Does CARE Directly Provide Cheap Internet?
While the SDG&E CARE program offers substantial savings on energy bills, it does not directly provide internet services or discounts on internet bills. CARE is specifically designed to assist low-income customers with their energy expenses.
However, the savings you achieve through CARE on your electricity and gas bills can have a positive ripple effect. By lowering your utility costs, you have more financial flexibility within your household budget. This extra financial breathing room can make it easier to afford other necessities, including internet service. In this way, while not directly providing internet, CARE indirectly contributes to making internet access potentially more affordable by reducing your overall expenses.
Exploring Affordable Internet Options
For those seeking direct assistance with internet costs, it’s important to know that separate programs exist to help low-income households access affordable internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides discounts on internet service and connected devices. You can check the FCC website or contact internet service providers in your area to inquire about ACP and other low-cost internet options.
Additionally, many internet service providers offer their own low-income internet plans. It’s worth researching providers in your area to see what specific programs they offer to make internet more accessible and affordable for eligible households.
Maximizing Benefits from CARE and Beyond
To make the most of available resources, consider these steps:
- Apply for SDG&E CARE: If you believe you are eligible based on income or enrollment in a qualifying public assistance program, apply for CARE through the SDG&E website or by contacting them directly.
- Explore ACP and Low-Income Internet Plans: Investigate the Affordable Connectivity Program and low-income internet plans from providers in your area to find direct assistance with internet costs.
- Contact SDG&E for Assistance: SDG&E offers various assistance programs beyond CARE. Contact them to learn about all available options for payment assistance and energy savings.
By combining the energy bill savings from SDG&E CARE with targeted internet assistance programs, you can significantly improve your household’s affordability and access to essential services like energy and internet. While CARE doesn’t directly offer cheap internet, its energy discounts are a crucial step in making overall living expenses more manageable for low-income Californians.
For the most current information and to apply for the CARE program, visit the official SDG&E website or call their customer service line.
Contact Information for SDG&E:
- CARE Program Website: SDG&E CARE
- Emergency Payment Assistance: 800-411-7343
By taking advantage of programs like CARE and exploring additional internet assistance options, you can work towards greater financial stability and ensure access to essential services for your household.
