The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a vital initiative designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs. If you’re a California resident struggling to afford your electricity and natural gas bills, understanding the CARE program’s income limits is the first step towards potential relief. This program offers significant discounts, making energy more affordable for eligible households.
Understanding the CARE Program and its Benefits
Administered by major utility companies across California, the CARE program provides a substantial discount on your monthly energy bills. Participants in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. These discounts can significantly reduce your household expenses, freeing up income for other essential needs.
This program is funded through a surcharge on other utility customers’ bills, ensuring its sustainability and continued support for those who need it most. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees these programs, with guidance from the Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB), ensuring that assistance reaches the intended recipients effectively.
2024-2025 CARE Program Income Limits: Are You Eligible?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household’s total gross annual income. The income limits are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and are effective from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. To qualify for CARE, your household income must be at or below the following limits:
| 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 |
For example, if you live alone or with one other person and your total annual household income is $40,880 or less, you are likely eligible for the CARE program based on income. For a family of four, the income limit is $62,400. Households larger than eight people have an additional income allowance of $10,760 for each extra member.
Automatic Enrollment through Public Assistance Programs
Beyond income limits, you can also automatically qualify for the CARE program if you are currently enrolled in certain public assistance programs. This ensures that those already receiving aid can easily access energy bill assistance. 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
Enrollment in any of these programs automatically makes you eligible for CARE, simplifying the application process.
What if You Exceed the CARE Income Limits? Consider FERA
If your household income slightly exceeds the CARE program limits, you may still be eligible for assistance through the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. FERA has higher income limits than CARE, designed for families with slightly higher incomes who still need help managing energy costs.
Here are the income limits for the FERA program, also effective through May 31, 2025:
| Household Size | FERA Income Eligibility Upper Limit |
|---|---|
| 3 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $131,800 |
| Each Additional Person | $13,450 |
FERA is available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (Edison), and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).
How to Apply for CARE
To apply for the CARE program, you should contact your utility company directly. They can provide you with an application form and answer any specific questions you may have. You can reach out to them via phone or through their websites:
| Utility | Emergency Payment Phone | Website for CARE Program |
|---|---|---|
| PG&E | 866-743-2273 | CARE |
| Edison | 866-675-6623 | CARE |
| SDG&E | 800-411-7343 | CARE |
| SoCalGas | 800-427-2200 | CARE |
| Alpine Nat’l Gas | 209-772-3006 | PROGRAMS |
| Bear Valley Elect | 800-808-2837 | CARE |
| PacifiCorp | 888-221-7070 | Financial Assistance |
| Liberty Utilities | 800-782-2506 | CARE |
| Southwest Gas | 877-860-6020 | Special Programs |
| West Coast Gas | 916-364-4100 | CARE |
Application forms are also often available through community agencies. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility provider to explore how the CARE program can help you manage your energy expenses and ensure access to affordable energy in California.
Contact your utility company today to learn more about the CARE program and other assistance options available to you.
