Are you a Southern California Edison (SCE) customer struggling with your energy bills? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, specifically offered by Southern California Edison, is designed to help eligible low-income households reduce their electricity costs. This program provides a significant discount on your monthly energy bill, making it more manageable to power your home.
What is the Southern California Edison CARE Program?
The Southern California Edison CARE program is a state-mandated initiative that offers substantial discounts to qualifying customers. If you are enrolled in the CARE program through SCE, you can receive a 30-35 percent discount on your electric bill. This discount can make a real difference in your household budget, freeing up funds for other essential needs.
Eligibility for the Southern California Edison CARE Program
To qualify for the Southern California Edison CARE program, your household income must fall at or below specific income limits. These limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, the income guidelines 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 |
These income limits are effective through May 31, 2025.
Beyond income, you can also qualify for the SCE CARE program if you are currently 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
Enrolling in any of these programs automatically makes you eligible for CARE, simplifying the application process.
How to Apply for Southern California Edison CARE Program
Applying for the Southern California Edison CARE program is straightforward. The easiest way to apply is to visit the official Southern California Edison website. You can find the CARE application form and detailed instructions online.
For those who prefer to apply offline or need assistance, you can also contact Southern California Edison directly to request an application form and receive guidance.
Southern California Edison Contact Information for CARE:
- Phone: 866-675-6623
- Website: CARE Program Information
Explore Other Energy Assistance Programs: FERA
If your household income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, you may still be eligible for assistance through the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers a 18% discount on your electricity bill and has higher income thresholds than CARE. FERA is available to Southern California Edison customers, as well as customers of San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
| Household Size | FERA Income Eligibility Upper Limit |
|---|---|
| 3 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $131,800 |
| Each Additional Person | $13,450 |
These income limits are effective through May 31, 2025.
Contact Southern California Edison or your utility provider to determine if you qualify for FERA or other assistance programs.
Contact Your Utility for Energy Assistance Programs
Besides Southern California Edison, numerous utility companies in California offer CARE and other assistance programs. Below is a table with contact information for various utilities to inquire about energy assistance:
| 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 |
Take control of your energy costs today. If you believe you are eligible for the Southern California Edison CARE program or FERA, reach out to SCE or your utility provider to learn more and start saving.
