Income Qualified Assistance Programs Please see the programs below to find out how to enroll in income qualified programs or get assistance paying your utility bill. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) - Provides a 30-35%1 discount on your electric bill and 20% on your gas bill. The Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) - Bills some of your electricity usage at a lower rate. Energy Savings Assistance Program - Provides no-cost weatherization services. Discounts, Payment Plans, and Assistance Paying Your Bill - Some utilities offer payment assistance programs for their customers. Medical Baseline - Extra allowances of energy are billed at the lowest rate for customers who rely on medical-related equipment. Federal Low-Income Programs - Administered by the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). For assistance with telecommunications and broadband: California LifeLine Program - Provides discounts on home phone and cell phone services. Quick Links to Income Qualified Program Tools California Alternate Rates for Energy and Energy Savings Assistance Program Fact Sheet Low Income Oversight Board - Advises the CPUC on low income issues. Low Income Oversight Board Meetings Energy Savings Assistance Program Policy and Procedure Manual Audio/Video of the Joint Workshop of the LIOB - IOUs and SMJUs on the CARE and ESA Programs - August 19, 2015 ESA/CARE Publications Monthly Reports: Monthly reports for 2020 Monthly reports for 2019 Monthly reports for 2018 Monthly reports for 2017 Monthly reports for 2016 Monthly reports for 2015 Monthly reports for 2014 Monthly reports for 2013 Monthly reports for 2012 and earlier may be found here. Annual Reports: Annual Reports for 2019 Annual Reports for 2018 | Amended Annual Reports Annual Reports for 2017 Annual Reports for 2016 Annual Reports for 2015 Annual Reports for 2014 Annual Reports for 2013 Annual Reports for 2012 and earlier may be found here. Low Income/ESA Reports: 2019 Low Income Needs Assessment Final Report - Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 2016 Low Income Needs Assessment Final Report - Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Banner Tables from Telephone survey 2013 Low Income Needs Assessment Final Report - Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 ESA Multifamily Segment Study Research - Final Report | Appendices 2011 ESA Impact Evaluation Final Report | Appendices ESA Energy Education Final Report and Appendices Audits: Final Audits of IOU ESA and CARE Programs - Years 2013-20152 Draft Audits of IOU ESA and CARE Programs - Years 2013-20152 1For the CARE Program, electrical corporations with 100,000 or more customer accounts in California offer a 30% - 35% discount as required by Public Utilities Code Section 739.1. Electrical corporations with fewer than 100,000 customer accounts in California offer a 20% discount. 2Per the Commission decision D.16-11-022 (Section 5.4.2) on ESA and CARE Programs, the Commission is required to post draft and final audit reports on the Commission's Income Qualified Programs webpage.