Are you looking for ways to reduce your monthly expenses? The rising costs of utilities can be a burden, especially for households with limited income. The good news is that PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) offers a program called CARE, which stands for California Alternate Rates for Energy, designed to help eligible customers save money on their gas and electricity bills. This program can provide a significant discount, but how do you qualify for the PG&E CARE program?
The CARE program offers a valuable benefit: a discount of 20% or more on your monthly gas and electricity bills. This discount can make a real difference in your household budget, freeing up funds for other essential needs. Once approved, the discount typically lasts for two years, and for those on a fixed income, it can extend to four years before you need to reapply. You’ll know the discount is applied when you see “CARE DISCOUNT” clearly marked on your PG&E bill.
Understanding PG&E CARE Program Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for the PG&E CARE program primarily depends on your household income. This includes the combined income of everyone living in your home, including sources like salaries, Social Security, and pensions, before taxes. Let’s break down the specific income guidelines and other requirements to help you determine if you qualify.
Income Guidelines for CARE Program Eligibility
PG&E sets income limits that are updated annually in June. As of the latest guidelines, the income thresholds are as follows:
- 1-2 person household: $39,440 or less
- Household of 4: $60,000 or less
For a complete and updated income table, you can refer to the official PG&E CARE program page. It’s important to note that PG&E encourages reapplying if your income situation changes. If you have specific questions about your eligibility based on your income, you can contact PG&E directly at 1-866-743-2273 or via email at [email protected].
While you don’t typically need to provide proof of income when initially applying, PG&E may randomly select households to verify income. If you are chosen for income verification, PG&E provides a helpful guide to assist you through the process, which you can find here (PDF).
Other Eligibility Requirements for CARE Program
Beyond income, there are a few other criteria you need to meet to be eligible for the CARE program:
- Account Holder: The PG&E bill must be in your name.
- Primary Residence: You must be living at the address where you are applying for the discount.
- Dependency Status: No one outside of your spouse can claim you as a dependent on their income tax return.
- Separate Meter: Your energy meter cannot be shared with another residence.
- Continued Eligibility: You are responsible for informing PG&E if you no longer meet the eligibility requirements.
- Electricity Usage: Your monthly electricity usage should not exceed six times the “Tier 1 allowance.” You can find information on calculating your baseline allowance on page one of this PDF.
Qualifying Public Assistance Programs for Automatic CARE Eligibility
You may automatically qualify for the CARE program if you or someone in your household participates in certain public assistance programs. These programs indicate that your household income likely falls within the CARE eligibility range. Qualifying programs include:
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A & B)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal (under age 65)
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal (age 65 and over)
If you participate in any of these programs, you are likely eligible for the CARE program.
Applying for the PG&E CARE Program
Applying for the PG&E CARE program is a straightforward process. PG&E offers convenient online options to apply, renew, or even cancel your enrollment. You can access the application portal on the PG&E website.
For your convenience, the application forms are available in multiple languages online.
CARE Program for Sub-metered Tenants
If you are a sub-metered tenant, meaning your landlord bills you directly for gas and electricity instead of PG&E, you can still apply for the CARE program. Even though you are not a direct PG&E customer, you are still eligible for assistance. However, you will need to use a specific application form designed for sub-metered tenants, available here (PDF).
It’s important to know that your landlord is responsible for ensuring that the CARE discount is reflected in your bill when you are approved. PG&E provides resources on their website to help you understand your rights as a sub-metered tenant, which you can explore here.
What if You Don’t Qualify for CARE? Consider FERA
If your income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, you might still be eligible for another PG&E program called FERA, the Family Electric Rate Assistance program. When you apply for CARE, PG&E automatically screens your application for FERA eligibility as well, streamlining the process.
FERA offers an 18% discount specifically on electric rates, but not gas. To qualify for FERA, your household must have three or more people and meet slightly higher income requirements than CARE. For example, a household of three with an income between $49,721 and $62,150, or a household of four with an income between $60,001 and $75,000, may qualify for FERA. Like CARE, the FERA discount is also typically applied for two years before renewal is needed.
Explore Other PG&E Assistance Programs
Beyond CARE and FERA, PG&E offers other programs to support customers with their utility bills. For immediate, one-time assistance, it’s worth exploring options that can provide short-term relief. For longer-term support, PG&E has programs designed to offer sustained assistance to those who qualify. Checking the PG&E website for a full list of assistance programs can help you identify all available resources.
By understanding how to qualify for the PG&E CARE program and exploring other assistance options, you can take proactive steps to manage your energy costs and make your household budget more comfortable. Take a moment to check your eligibility today – it could lead to significant savings!
