The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs. If you’re struggling to pay your electricity and natural gas bills, CARE could provide significant relief. This program offers substantial discounts to eligible customers, making energy more affordable. But What Are The Requirements For The Care Program? Let’s break down the eligibility criteria and how you can access this valuable assistance.
To qualify for the CARE program, the primary requirement is based on your household income. The program sets income limits that are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of June 1, 2024, the income eligibility upper limits 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 |
If your total household income falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for CARE based on income. It’s important to note that these income guidelines are effective through May 31, 2025, and may be adjusted in the future.
However, income isn’t the only pathway to CARE program eligibility. You can also qualify if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. This ensures that those already receiving aid can further benefit from reduced energy costs. The qualifying public assistance programs 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
Enrolling in any of these programs automatically makes you eligible for CARE, regardless of your specific income level, streamlining the process for those already receiving assistance.
Once enrolled in the CARE program, you’ll receive a significant discount on your energy bills. For major electrical corporations in California, this discount ranges from 30% to 35% on your electric bill. For natural gas bills, the discount is 20%. These discounts can substantially lower your monthly expenses and make your energy bills more manageable.
To apply for the CARE program and get more detailed information, you should contact your utility company directly. Each utility company manages its CARE program enrollment. Here are the contact details and website links for major California utility providers to help you find the specific requirements and application process for your area:
| 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 |
In conclusion, the CARE program offers vital financial assistance to low-income California residents by providing discounts on their energy bills. The primary requirements for enrollment are meeting specific income limits or participating in qualifying public assistance programs. If you believe you meet these requirements, reaching out to your utility provider is the first step towards lowering your energy costs and making your household budget more comfortable.
