Are you looking to continue saving money on your energy bills? If you’re already enrolled in the PG&E CARE program, understanding the renewal process is key to maintaining those valuable discounts. For eligible low-income households in California, the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers substantial discounts on both electricity and natural gas bills. Specifically, PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) customers benefit from a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill through CARE. This program is designed to help make energy more affordable for those who need it most.
The CARE program isn’t a one-time enrollment; periodic renewal is necessary to ensure continued eligibility and uninterrupted benefits. This article will guide you through understanding the PG&E CARE program, its benefits, eligibility requirements, and what you need to know about the renewal process to keep your energy costs down.
Understanding the PG&E CARE Program Benefits
The primary benefit of the CARE program is significant savings on your monthly utility bills. As a PG&E customer enrolled in CARE, you can expect to receive:
- 30-35% discount on your electric bill: This substantial reduction can make a real difference in your monthly expenses, especially during peak energy usage seasons.
- 20% discount on your natural gas bill: Heating your home during colder months can be costly. The CARE program helps alleviate this burden with a significant discount on natural gas.
These discounts are crucial for households with limited incomes, helping to ensure access to essential energy services without financial strain. The program is funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers, making it a community-supported initiative to assist those in need.
PG&E CARE Program Eligibility: Are You Qualified?
Eligibility for the PG&E CARE program is primarily based on household income. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, the income guidelines are effective through May 31, 2025, as detailed below:
| CARE Income Guidelines* |
|---|
| Household Size |
| 1-2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| Each Additional Person |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
To qualify for the PG&E CARE program, your total gross annual household income must be at or below these limits.
Beyond income, you may also be automatically eligible 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)
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- 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 can streamline your CARE application process, often requiring less documentation to prove your eligibility.
PG&E CARE Program Renewal: Staying Enrolled
While the original article doesn’t explicitly detail the “renewal” process, CARE program enrollment is not permanent. Recertification is generally required periodically to confirm ongoing eligibility. PG&E will typically contact CARE program participants in advance of their renewal date with instructions on how to recertify.
- Keep your contact information updated with PG&E: This ensures you receive important notices regarding your CARE enrollment and renewal deadlines.
- Watch for renewal notifications from PG&E: These notifications will outline the steps you need to take to recertify your eligibility.
- Promptly respond to renewal requests: Timely submission of required information will prevent any lapse in your CARE benefits.
While specific renewal procedures can vary and are subject to change, generally, the renewal process will likely involve verifying your continued eligibility based on income or enrollment in qualifying public assistance programs. You may need to resubmit documentation to confirm your current situation.
Other California Utility CARE Programs
PG&E is not the only utility company in California offering the CARE program. If you are a customer of another utility provider, you may also be eligible for CARE discounts. Here is a list of other utility companies in California that participate in 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 |
If you are a customer of any of these utilities, you can contact them directly or visit their websites (linked above) to learn more about their specific CARE program and application process.
Exploring the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another avenue for energy bill savings. 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 income limits for FERA are higher than those for CARE. Here are the income guidelines 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 the FERA income limits, especially if you narrowly miss the CARE eligibility, it’s worth exploring the FERA program to see if you qualify for these additional savings.
Take Action: Renew Your PG&E CARE Program Benefits Today
Lowering your energy bills is within reach through the PG&E CARE program. If you are already enrolled, be proactive about your renewal to ensure you continue receiving these valuable discounts. If you believe you are eligible and are not yet enrolled, now is the time to apply.
For more information or to start your application or renewal process, visit the PG&E CARE program website or contact PG&E directly:
- PG&E CARE Website: CARE
- PG&E Emergency Payment Assistance Phone: 866-743-2273
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to save money on your energy bills. Take action today to renew or apply for the PG&E CARE program and secure your energy savings.
