If you’ve received a letter from SDG&E regarding your CARE program renewal and high energy use, it’s important to understand what this means and what steps you need to take. This letter is a standard procedure to ensure continued eligibility for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program discount, especially for households that have demonstrated higher energy consumption. It doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your discount, but it does require you to verify your household income to maintain your enrollment in the program.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) mandates that SDG&E, and other utility providers, verify the eligibility of CARE program participants periodically. When your energy usage reaches or exceeds 400% or 600% above your baseline, you’ll receive this specific renewal letter requesting income verification. This process is in place to responsibly manage the CARE program and ensure benefits are directed to eligible customers. It’s crucial to respond to this letter promptly to prevent any interruption in your CARE discount.
To renew your discount and confirm your eligibility, please follow these essential steps:
Step 1: Provide Proof of Income for Every Adult in Your Household
The core requirement for renewing your CARE program discount under these circumstances is to provide documentation verifying the income of every adult (18 years or older) living in your home. This ensures that your household income still falls within the CARE income guidelines.
Key points to remember when gathering your income verification documents:
- Who needs to provide proof? Every adult (18+) in the household must provide income verification.
- What counts as income? This includes all forms of income, both cash and non-cash, such as wages, salaries, government assistance, pensions, and any financial support received.
- Income Guidelines: These documents are used to confirm that your total annual household income aligns with the current CARE income limits.
- Protect Your Information: For security, please remember to black out any Social Security numbers or bank account numbers on all copies of your documents.
- Tax Transcripts (Optional): While optional, you can provide an IRS tax transcript. You can easily obtain a free transcript from the IRS website or by calling their automated service.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of acceptable documents for different types of income:
| Type of Income | Required Documents (Additional documents may be requested)
