Are you struggling to keep up with your energy bills in California? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is here to help. This state-sponsored initiative provides significant discounts on your electricity and natural gas bills, making energy more affordable for low-income households. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your monthly expenses, understanding the CARE program and its income guidelines is the first step towards potential savings.
Understanding the CARE Program
The CARE program is designed to assist eligible low-income customers in California by offering a substantial discount on their energy bills. Specifically, those enrolled in CARE receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. These discounts can make a significant difference in your monthly budget, helping you manage essential expenses.
Funded through a surcharge paid by other utility customers, CARE ensures that those who need assistance the most receive it. The program is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB), ensuring its effectiveness and accessibility.
Income Guidelines for CARE Eligibility
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household income. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and are effective through May 31, 2025. Here are the current income guidelines to determine if you qualify:
| 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 determine your household size, count everyone living in your home, including yourself, relatives, and non-relatives who share living expenses. If your total gross annual household income falls at or below the income limit corresponding to your household size, you are likely eligible for the CARE program.
Other Ways to Qualify for CARE
Even if your income slightly exceeds the guidelines, you may still qualify for CARE if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. Enrollment in any of the following programs automatically makes you eligible for CARE:
- 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 participate in any of these programs, you can provide proof of enrollment when applying for CARE to establish your eligibility.
How to Apply for the CARE Program
Applying for the CARE program is straightforward. The easiest way to apply is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility company in California manages CARE applications for its service area. You can request an application form and get detailed information about the program from their websites or by phone.
Here are the contact details for major utility companies in California to inquire about 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 |
You can also find application forms and assistance through various community agencies. These agencies often partner with utility companies to help residents understand and apply for programs like CARE.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines, there is another program called the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. FERA is available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).
Here is a comparison of income limits for CARE and FERA programs for larger households:
| 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 you think your income might be too high for CARE but still need assistance, check if you qualify for FERA. Contact your electric utility to learn more about FERA and its application process.
Take Control of Your Energy Bills
The California CARE program and FERA are valuable resources for low- and moderate-income families in California. By understanding the income guidelines and eligibility criteria, you can determine if these programs can help you lower your energy bills. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility company or a community agency to explore your options and start saving today.
