The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a fantastic initiative that provides eligible low-income customers with significant discounts on their energy bills. Specifically, CARE can lower your electricity bill by 30-35 percent and your natural gas bill by 20 percent. If you are enrolled in PG&E’s CARE program, you’re likely saving a considerable amount each month. However, there might come a time when you need to cancel your enrollment. Whether your income has changed, you’re moving, or you no longer need the assistance, understanding how to cancel your PG&E CARE program is essential.
This guide will walk you through the process of canceling your PG&E CARE program, ensuring a smooth and straightforward experience. We’ll cover the reasons why you might want to cancel, the steps involved, and what to consider after cancellation.
Understanding the PG&E CARE Program
Before diving into the cancellation process, let’s briefly recap what the PG&E CARE program is and who it benefits. As mentioned, CARE is designed to help income-qualified households in California manage their energy costs. It’s funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers and overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Eligibility for CARE is based on two main factors:
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Household Income: Your total household income must be at or below certain income limits. These limits are updated annually to reflect changes in inflation and the federal poverty guidelines. As of June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, the income limits are as follows:
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 -
Enrollment in Public Assistance Programs: You automatically qualify if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs such as:
- 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 meet either of these criteria, you are eligible for the PG&E CARE program and its valuable discounts.
Reasons to Cancel Your PG&E CARE Enrollment
While the CARE program provides crucial support, there are valid reasons why you might need to cancel your enrollment:
- Increased Household Income: If your household income has increased and now exceeds the CARE income limits, you are no longer eligible for the program and should cancel your enrollment to ensure compliance.
- Moving Out of State or PG&E Service Area: If you are moving out of California or to an area not served by PG&E, you will naturally need to cancel your PG&E services, including the CARE program.
- No Longer Need Assistance: Your financial situation might improve to the point where you feel you no longer require the CARE discount. In such cases, canceling your enrollment is a responsible step.
- Accidental Enrollment or Change in Circumstances: Perhaps you were enrolled in CARE by mistake, or your circumstances have changed since enrollment, making you want to opt-out.
Regardless of your reason, PG&E provides a straightforward process to cancel your CARE program enrollment.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cancel PG&E CARE Program
Canceling your PG&E CARE program is a simple process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Contact PG&E Customer Service:
The most direct way to cancel your CARE program is to contact PG&E directly. You can do this through several channels:
- Phone: Call PG&E’s dedicated customer service line at 1-800-743-5000. This is often the quickest way to speak to a representative and initiate the cancellation.
- Online: Visit the PG&E website (www.pge.com) and log in to your account. Navigate to the “Contact Us” or “Customer Service” section. You might find an option to send a message or initiate a chat to request cancellation.
- Mail: While less common today, you can send a written request to cancel your CARE program to PG&E’s customer service mailing address. You can find the address on their website or your bill.
2. Inform PG&E of Your Intent to Cancel CARE:
When you contact PG&E, clearly state that you want to cancel your enrollment in the CARE program. Be prepared to provide the following information to verify your account:
- PG&E Account Number: This is essential for them to locate your account quickly.
- Service Address: The address associated with your PG&E account.
- Name on the Account: Your name as it appears on your PG&E bill.
- Reason for Cancellation (Optional): While not always required, informing them of your reason for cancellation can be helpful.
3. Confirm Cancellation and Effective Date:
After you’ve requested cancellation, ensure you receive confirmation from PG&E that your CARE program enrollment has been canceled. Ask for the effective date of cancellation. This is important to know when the discount will be removed from your bill. It’s wise to note down the confirmation number or keep a record of your communication for future reference.
4. Review Your Next Bill:
After the cancellation date, carefully review your next PG&E bill to confirm that the CARE discount is no longer applied. If you still see the discount after the confirmed cancellation date, contact PG&E again to resolve the issue.
By following these steps, you can successfully cancel your PG&E CARE program enrollment when needed.
Alternatives and Important Considerations After Cancellation
Once you cancel your CARE program, it’s important to consider a few things:
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FERA Program: If your income still falls within a certain range, but is slightly above the CARE limits, you might be eligible for the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers a smaller discount (18% on electricity bills) but can still provide valuable savings. Contact PG&E to inquire about FERA if you think you might qualify.
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 -
Other Assistance Programs: If you are still facing financial hardship, explore other assistance programs offered by PG&E and the state of California. PG&E provides various programs like payment plans and budget billing to help customers manage their energy costs. You can find more information on their website under “Help Paying Your Bill.”
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Impact on Your Bill: Be aware that canceling CARE will result in an increase in your monthly energy bills. Factor this into your budget and energy consumption habits. Consider energy-saving tips to mitigate the increase.
Conclusion
Canceling your PG&E CARE program is a straightforward process that can be completed by contacting PG&E customer service via phone, online, or mail. It’s essential to cancel if you are no longer eligible or no longer need the program to ensure you are complying with program guidelines and managing your energy costs responsibly. Remember to confirm your cancellation and explore other available assistance programs if needed. For any questions or to begin the cancellation process, reach out to PG&E directly using the contact information provided on their website or your energy bill.
Image: A table displaying the CARE income guidelines for different household sizes.
For further assistance and to initiate your cancellation, contact PG&E:
- Phone: 1-800-743-5000
- Website: www.pge.com
This guide aims to provide you with all the necessary information on how to cancel your PG&E CARE program, making the process as easy and understandable as possible.
