Are you looking to maintain affordable energy costs? If you’re a Southern California Edison (SCE) customer enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, understanding the Sce Care Program Renewal process is essential. This program offers significant discounts on your electricity bills, helping eligible low-income households manage their energy expenses. Let’s delve into what you need to know to ensure you continue receiving these valuable benefits.
The CARE program is designed to provide financial relief to eligible customers by offering a 30-35% discount on electric bills and a 20% discount on natural gas bills. For SCE customers, this means substantial savings that can make a real difference in your monthly budget. To remain enrolled and continue enjoying these discounts, SCE CARE program renewal is a periodic requirement.
To determine if you qualify for SCE CARE program renewal, or initial enrollment, there are two main pathways: income guidelines and enrollment in public assistance programs.
Firstly, income eligibility is based on your household size and total gross annual income. As of June 1, 2024, the income limits are as follows:
| CARE Income Guidelines* |
|---|
| Household Size |
| 1-2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| Each Additional Person |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
If your household income falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the CARE program and should proceed with your SCE CARE program renewal or initial application.
Secondly, you automatically qualify for CARE if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These 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 simplifies your SCE CARE program renewal or application process, as it provides automatic qualification.
Southern California Edison, along with other utility companies in California, participates in the CARE program. Here’s a table with contact information for various utilities if you need to inquire about energy assistance programs:
| 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 |
For specific information regarding SCE CARE program renewal, it’s best to visit the official SCE website or contact their customer service directly at 866-675-6623. They can provide detailed guidance on the renewal process, required documentation, and any deadlines you need to be aware of. The SCE CARE website is a valuable resource, offering application forms and comprehensive program details.
It’s also worth noting the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. If your household income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines, you might still be eligible for FERA. This program offers an 18% discount on your electricity bill for customers of SCE, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Here are the income limits for FERA, which are also 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 |
To conclude, ensuring your SCE CARE program renewal is up-to-date is crucial for maintaining lower energy bills if you are an eligible Southern California Edison customer. Take the time to review your eligibility, gather necessary documentation, and contact SCE or visit their website to start or renew your application today. Don’t miss out on these valuable savings designed to help you manage your energy costs effectively.
