Are you a Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customer in California looking for ways to lower your energy bills? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help income-qualified households save money on their monthly electricity and natural gas expenses. But just how much does the PG&E CARE program save you? Let’s break down the savings and eligibility requirements.
The PG&E CARE program offers a significant discount to help make energy more affordable. Eligible low-income customers receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. These substantial savings can make a real difference in household budgets, freeing up funds for other essential needs.
Eligibility for the PG&E CARE program is based on household income and household size. Here are the income limits currently in effect, valid through May 31, 2025:
| 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 guidelines are updated annually to reflect changes in inflation and the cost of living, ensuring the program continues to serve those who need it most.
Beyond income, you may also qualify for PG&E CARE if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These qualifying programs include:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Healthy Families A & B
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program (NSLP)
- 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
If you participate in any of these programs, you automatically meet the eligibility requirements for CARE, regardless of your specific income level.
Ready to see if you can start saving? Applying for the PG&E CARE program is straightforward. You can visit the PG&E website dedicated to the CARE program for detailed information and application forms: CARE Program Website.
For those whose income slightly exceeds the CARE limits, there’s also the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. While FERA offers a slightly lower discount of 18% on electricity bills, it can still provide valuable savings for families just above the CARE income thresholds. FERA is available to PG&E customers, as well as customers of Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric Company.
In conclusion, the PG&E CARE program offers substantial savings of 30-35% on electricity and 20% on natural gas bills for eligible low-income customers. By checking your income eligibility or qualifying public assistance program participation, you can determine if you can benefit from this valuable program and reduce your energy costs significantly. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to lower your PG&E bills – explore the CARE program today!
