CARE stands for California Alternate Rates for Energy, a program that cuts your monthly electric and gas bill if your household income is limited. The discount is large: roughly 30–35% off electricity and 20% off natural gas, every month. Many families already qualify and don’t know it, because being enrolled in another assistance program like CalFresh or Medi-Cal can make you eligible automatically. The one thing it won’t do is sign you up by itself. You apply once through your utility, and the discount starts.
The short version
CARE gives income-qualified Californians about 30–35% off electricity and 20% off gas. You qualify either by income (roughly 200% of the federal poverty level) or automatically by being enrolled in a program like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, WIC, SSI, or LIHEAP.
A separate program, FERA, gives an 18% electric discount to families whose income is a bit above the CARE line (up to 250% of the poverty level).
You must apply through your utility (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, or others). Qualifying doesn’t apply the discount on its own.
Do you qualify? A 30-second check
- Are you enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, or free school lunch (NSLP)? If yes, you meet the CARE eligibility requirement.
- Or is your household income at or below roughly 200% of the federal poverty level? That’s the income path.
- Do you have a utility account in your name? The discount attaches to your bill.
What CARE (and FERA) actually save you
- CARE: about 30–35% off your electric bill and 20% off natural gas, applied monthly to your utility bill.
- FERA: an 18% discount on electricity (no gas discount) for households whose income is slightly above the CARE limit (up to 250% of the poverty level). You qualify for one or the other, not both.
On a typical bill, that can mean hundreds of dollars saved over a year, which is why this is one of the highest-value programs for the least effort.
The two ways to qualify
1. By program (the easy path). If anyone in your home receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs/TANF, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, the National School Lunch (free) program, or certain tribal assistance, your household meets the CARE income requirement. You won’t need to prove income separately.
2. By income. If you’re not in one of those programs, you can still qualify if your household income is at or below the CARE limit (about 200% of the federal poverty level). The exact dollar limits by household size are updated every June, so check your utility’s current chart.
If you already get CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs, you’ve cleared the hardest part. Those programs make you categorically eligible for CARE, but the discount is not automatic — you still submit a short CARE application to your utility to turn it on. It takes a few minutes. See related programs in our California benefits guide, the CalFresh guide, and the Medi-Cal guide.
How to apply
- Go to your utility. CARE and FERA are run by your energy provider, PG&E, Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and others each have their own application. Not sure where to start? The CPUC’s CARE page links you to your provider’s application.
- Apply online, by mail, or by phone. Most utilities let you enroll online in a few minutes. PG&E customers can email a completed form to [email protected], or use the CARE/FERA phone number printed on your bill or at pge.com.
- Self-certify your status. You confirm your program enrollment or income; you usually don’t need to send pay stubs unless asked to verify later.
- Watch your bill. The discount appears once you’re enrolled. Keep an eye out for renewal notices.
Renewing
You renew CARE eligibility periodically, generally every two years (or every four years if you’re on a fixed income). Your utility will notify you; respond on time so the discount doesn’t drop off.
Quick answers
I’m on CalFresh. Do I get CARE automatically?
You meet the eligibility requirement automatically, but the discount isn’t applied until you submit a CARE application to your utility. It’s quick, but it’s a required step.
What’s the difference between CARE and FERA?
CARE is the larger discount (30–35% electric, 20% gas) for lower incomes. FERA is an 18% electric-only discount for slightly higher-income households of three or more. You get one, not both.
How much can I actually save?
It depends on your usage, but the percentage discount often adds up to hundreds of dollars a year, especially in summer cooling or winter heating months.
Will applying affect my other benefits?
No. Enrolling in CARE doesn’t reduce CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or any other program.
Bottom line
CARE knocks roughly a third off your electric bill and a fifth off your gas, and if you’re already on CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, WIC, or SSI, you’ve already met the eligibility bar. FERA covers families just above the CARE income line with an 18% electric discount.
The only step left: apply through your utility (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, or your provider). A few minutes turns a discount you qualify for into a discount you actually get.