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PUC > Low-Income Programs

Low Income Programs

The CPUC provides discounts on wireline telephone service, energy bills and energy efficiency, and some water service to eligible consumers. The CPUC also provides discounts for eligible applicants with special medical needs. The information below is a starting point to see if you may be qualified for these programs.

Telephone


Utility	Yearly Household Income Eligibility	Who to Contact
California LifeLine provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone services to low income households.	1-2 members: $22,900 3 members: $26,900 4 members: $32,400 Each additional: $5,500	California LifeLine Contacts

Energy


Utility	Yearly Household Income Eligibility	Who to Contact
CARE Program provides low income customers with a 20 percent discount on their electric and natural gas bills.	1-2 members: $30,500 3 members: $35,800 4 members: $43,200 5 members: $50,600 6 members: $58,000 Each additional: $7,400	Your electricity or natural gas provider (NOTE: The CARE program is only available from CPUC-regulated utilities, not municipal utilities)
Low-Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program provides no-cost weatherization services to low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. Services provided include attic insulation, energy efficient refrigerators, energy efficient furnaces, weather-stripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and door and building envelope repairs which reduce air infiltration.	1-2 members: $30,500 3 members: $35,800 4 members: $43,200 5 members: $50,600 6 members: $58,000 Each additional: $7,400	Your electricity or natural gas provider (NOTE: The LIEE program is only available from CPUC-regulated utilities, not municipal utilities)
Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) program provides families whose household income slightly exceeds the low income program allowances to have some of their electricity usage billed at a lower rate.	3 members: $35,801 - $44,800 4 members: $43,201 - $54,000 5 members: $50,601 - $63,200 6 members: $58,001 - $72,400 For each additional member, add: $7,400 - $9,200	Your electricity or natural gas provider (NOTE: The FERA program is only available from CPUC-regulated utilities, not municipal utilities)

Water

Utility

Yearly Household Income Eligibility

Who to Contact

Water low income programs vary by company and offer a discount on service.

1-2 members: $29,300 or $25,600

3 members: $34,400 or $30,100

4 members: $41,500 or $36,300

5 members: $48,600 or $42,500

6 members: $55,700 or $48,700

For each additional member, add: $7,100 or $6,200

Your Water Company

(NOTE: Eligible Water Districts include California Water Service, Golden State Water - Regions II and III, San Jose Water, California-American Water - Monterey, Sacramento, Larkfield, Felton, San Gabriel Valley Water, Park Water, Apple Valley Ranchos Water, Valencia Water, Great Oaks Water)

Medical/Special Needs


Utility	Yearly Household Income Eligibility	Who to Contact
Medical Baseline customers are billed at their utility company's lowest residential rate.	Paraplegics and quadriplegics, multiple sclerosis patients, scleroderma patients, and people being treated for a life threatening illness or who have a compromised immune system.	Your electricity provider.
SDG&E Marking Appliances for the Blind and Temperature Sensitive Program

Last Modified: 12/5/2008