CARE/FERA Program
Discounts on energy bills for income qualified households
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
Low-income customers enrolled in the CARE program receive:• 30–35% discount on their electric bill
• 20% discount on their natural gas bill
To request an application form or for more information, please contact your utility company or visit their websites.
The utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) include:
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Phone Numbers and Websites for Energy Assistance Programs |
||
|
Utility |
Emergency Payment |
Website |
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PG&E |
866-743-2273 |
|
|
Edison |
866-675-6623 |
|
|
SDG&E |
800-411-7343 |
|
|
SoCalGas |
800-427-2200 |
|
|
Alpine Nat'l Gas |
209-772-3006 |
|
|
Bear Valley Elect |
800-808-2837 |
|
|
PacifiCorp |
888-221-7070 |
|
|
Liberty Utilities |
800-782-2506 |
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|
Southwest Gas |
877-860-6020 |
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|
West Coast Gas |
916-364-4100 |
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CARE Income Eligibility Guidelines
Income limits effective June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026.
|
Household Size |
Income Eligibility Upper Limit |
|
1-2 |
$42,300 |
|
3 |
$53,300 |
|
4 |
$64,300 |
|
5 |
$75,300 |
|
6 |
$86,300 |
|
7 |
$97,300 |
|
8 |
$108,300 |
|
Each Additional Person |
$11,000 |
Public Assistance Eligibility
Customers may also qualify for CARE if enrolled in any of the following programs:
• Medicaid / Medi-Cal
• Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
• Healthy Families A & B
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP) – Free Lunch
• 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
Note: Electrical corporations with 100,000+ customer accounts in California offer a 30–35% discount as required by Public Utilities Code Section 739.1. Smaller corporations (<100,000 accounts) offer a 20% discount.
Application forms are also available through community agencies. CARE is funded through a rate surcharge paid by all other utility customers. Income limits may be adjusted yearly based on inflation.
California also has a Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB) to advise the PUC on low-income energy assistance programs.
Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)
Families whose income slightly exceeds CARE limits may qualify for FERA, which applies an 18% discount on electricity bills.
FERA is available to customers of:
• Southern California Edison (SCE)
• San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E)
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Call your electric utility if your family qualifies.
FERA Income Guidelines
Income limits effective June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026.
|
Household |
200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (CARE)+1 |
250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FERA) |
|
1-2 |
$42,301 |
$52,875 |
|
3 |
$53,301 |
$66,625 |
|
4 |
$64,301 |
$80,375 |
|
5 |
$75,301 |
$94,125 |
|
6 |
$83,901 |
$107,875 |
|
7 |
$97,301 |
$121,625 |
|
8 |
$108,301 |
$135,375 |
|
Each Additional Person |
$11,000 |
$13,750 |
Please contact your utility company for more information on this program and other assistance programs:
- Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
1-866-743-2273 - Southern California Edison (SCE)
1-800-655-4555 - San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
1-800-411-7343
You may also be eligible....
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWORKs/Temporary Aid for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Head Start (Tribal Only)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal Healthy Families A&B
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Reports
Care Monthly Reports and Annual Reports