California offers crucial assistance programs to help low-income households manage their energy expenses: the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. These programs provide significant discounts on monthly utility bills, making energy more affordable for eligible residents. Let’s delve into the details of CARE and FERA to understand their benefits, eligibility criteria, and how they can help you save on your energy costs.
Understanding the CARE Program
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to provide substantial discounts to low-income customers on their electricity and natural gas bills. If you qualify for CARE, you can receive a 30-35 percent discount on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. This can significantly reduce your monthly expenses and make your energy bills more manageable.
Eligibility for CARE is primarily based on household income. As of June 1, 2024, the income limits 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 |
Beyond income limits, you may also qualify for CARE if you are enrolled in certain public assistance programs. These 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
The CARE program is funded through a surcharge on all other utility customers’ bills, ensuring support for those who need it most.
Exploring the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE limits, California offers the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. While the discount is less than CARE, it still offers significant savings for families who are just above the low-income threshold.
FERA is available to customers of:
- Southern California Edison
- San Diego Gas and Electric Company
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company
The income limits for FERA are higher than CARE, designed to assist families in a slightly higher income bracket. The income limits effective through May 31, 2025, are:
| 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 |
CARE vs FERA: Key Differences
While both CARE and FERA aim to reduce energy costs for California residents, the key differences lie in the discount amount and income eligibility. CARE offers a larger discount and is targeted towards lower-income households. FERA provides a smaller discount but is available to families with slightly higher incomes who still need assistance managing their energy bills.
Choosing between CARE and FERA depends on your household income and size. If your income falls within the CARE guidelines, or if you participate in qualifying public assistance programs, CARE is the program for you. If your income is slightly above the CARE limits but within the FERA limits, you may be eligible for FERA.
How to Apply for CARE and FERA
To apply for either the CARE or FERA program, or to get more detailed information, you should contact your utility company directly. Each utility company has dedicated resources and application processes for these programs. You can reach out to them via phone or visit their websites.
Here is a list of major California utility companies and 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 |
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your utility provider to explore your eligibility and start saving on your energy bills through the CARE or FERA programs. These programs are valuable resources for making energy more affordable for California families.
