Are you struggling to keep up with your energy bills in California? You might be eligible for significant savings through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, especially if you are a PG&E customer. This program is designed to help low-income households manage their energy costs, and accessing these benefits starts with the . This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the CARE program, focusing on how to obtain and utilize the PG&E CARE Program Form to lower your monthly expenses.
The CARE program offers substantial discounts to eligible customers: a 30-35 percent reduction on your electric bill and a 20 percent discount on your natural gas bill. These savings can make a real difference for families and individuals with limited incomes. The first step to accessing these discounts is understanding the PG&E CARE Program Form and how to apply.
To get started, you will need to obtain the PG&E CARE Program Form. The easiest way to do this is by visiting the PG&E website, where you can often download the form directly. You can also request a form by contacting PG&E customer service. For your convenience, here are the contact details for PG&E and other California utility companies offering the CARE program:
| 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 |
Once you have the PG&E CARE Program Form, you’ll need to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household income. The income limits are updated annually and are dependent on your household size. As of the latest guidelines, the income limits are effective through May 31, 2025, and 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 household income falls at or below these limits, you are likely eligible for the CARE program. When filling out the PG&E CARE Program Form, you will need to accurately report your household income and size.
Besides income, you can 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
Enrolling through participation in these programs can simplify your application process when using the PG&E CARE Program Form, as you may only need to provide proof of enrollment in the qualifying program.
It’s important to note that the CARE program is funded through a surcharge on other utility customers’ bills, reflecting a community effort to support low-income households. The income limits are reviewed and may be adjusted annually to account for inflation, ensuring the program remains accessible to those who need it most.
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines, there’s another option called the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. FERA offers an 18% discount on electricity bills and is available to customers of PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company. If you think you might be just over the income limit for CARE, it’s worth exploring the FERA program as an alternative. There isn’t a specific PG&E FERA Program Form, but you can typically apply for FERA through the same application process as CARE, and PG&E will assess your eligibility for both programs.
| 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 |
Applying for the PG&E CARE program by completing the PG&E CARE Program Form is a crucial step towards managing your energy costs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to PG&E or visit their website for the PG&E CARE Program Form and further assistance. Take advantage of these valuable programs designed to support California residents.
For more detailed information about the CARE program, FERA, and other assistance programs, you can also visit the California Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB) website, which provides oversight and guidance on these utility assistance programs.
