The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a vital initiative designed to help low-income households manage their energy expenses. If you’re a Californian relying on Social Security income, you might be wondering: does Social Security income count when determining eligibility for the CARE program? Understanding how your income sources are evaluated is crucial to accessing potential bill relief. This article breaks down how Social Security income factors into CARE program eligibility and provides a comprehensive overview of this essential assistance program.
Understanding the California CARE Program
The CARE program offers significant discounts on electricity and natural gas bills for eligible households. Participants in the CARE program receive a substantial 30-35 percent discount on their electric bills and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bills. This financial assistance aims to alleviate the burden of utility costs for those with limited incomes, ensuring access to essential energy services.
To determine if you qualify for these valuable discounts, the CARE program considers several factors, with household income being a primary criterion.
Income Eligibility and Social Security: What You Need to Know
Yes, Social Security income is indeed counted as part of your household income when applying for the California CARE program. The program’s eligibility criteria are based on your total gross household income, which encompasses all sources of income, including Social Security benefits, salaries, wages, pensions, and other forms of revenue.
The CARE program establishes specific income limits based on household size. These limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. As of the latest guidelines, effective through May 31, 2025, the income thresholds are as follows:
| CARE Income Guidelines* |
|---|
| Household Size |
| 1-2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| Each Additional Person |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
If your total household income, including Social Security benefits, falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the CARE program discount.
Additional Pathways to CARE Program Eligibility
Beyond income limits, there are other ways to qualify for CARE. Enrollment in certain public assistance programs automatically makes you eligible, regardless of your specific income level (though income limits are often a part of eligibility for these programs as well). These qualifying 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
Notably, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is explicitly listed as a qualifying program. This further reinforces that Social Security benefits and related assistance programs are integral to the CARE program’s eligibility framework.
How to Apply for the CARE Program
Applying for the CARE program is straightforward. The primary step is to contact your utility company directly. Each utility provider in California manages CARE program applications for its service area. You can request an application form and gather more detailed information through their customer service channels or websites.
Here’s a list of major utility companies in California along with contact information and website links to their CARE program pages:
| 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 |
Application forms are also often available through community agencies and organizations that assist low-income individuals and families.
Exploring the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For households whose income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another avenue for bill relief. FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity bills for eligible customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The income limits for FERA are higher than those for CARE, designed to support families who are just above the CARE eligibility threshold but still need assistance managing energy costs.
| Household | 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (CARE/ESAP) +1 | 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FERA) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $51,641 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $62,401 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $73,161 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $83,921 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $94,681 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $105,441 | $131,800 |
| Each Additional Person | $10,760 | $13,450 |
If you are unsure whether you qualify for CARE or FERA, contacting your utility provider is the best step to determine your eligibility and begin the application process.
Conclusion: Securing Energy Bill Assistance
Understanding whether Social Security income counts towards CARE program eligibility is essential for seniors and individuals with disabilities relying on these benefits. Yes, Social Security income is considered part of your total household income for the California CARE program. However, even with Social Security income, many low-income households will still meet the program’s eligibility requirements and can benefit from significant discounts on their energy bills.
If you are concerned about managing your energy costs, especially if you are on a limited income that includes Social Security, explore the CARE program and FERA program. Contact your utility company today to learn more, request an application, and take a step towards more affordable energy bills.
