Are you struggling to afford your energy bills in California? The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is designed to help income-qualified households reduce their monthly electricity and natural gas expenses. Administered by utility companies like Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), CARE offers significant discounts to make energy more affordable. If you’re a PG&E customer looking for assistance, knowing the PG&E CARE program phone number and understanding the program details is your first step towards relief.
Understanding the California CARE Program
The CARE program provides a crucial lifeline for eligible low-income customers in California. By enrolling, you can receive a 30-35% discount on your electric bill and a 20% discount on your natural gas bill. These discounts can substantially lower your utility costs, making it easier to manage your household budget.
Who is Eligible for CARE?
Eligibility for the CARE program is primarily based on your household income. If your total household income falls at or below the following limits, you may qualify:
| CARE Income Guidelines* |
|---|
| Household Size |
| 1-2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| Each Additional Person |
| * Effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 |
Alt text: CARE Program Income Limits for California Residents, June 2024 – May 2025. Table displays household sizes from 1-2 to 8+ people and corresponding maximum annual income eligibility.
Beyond income, you are also automatically eligible for CARE if you are currently enrolled in any of the following public assistance programs:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Healthy Families A & B
- National School Lunch Program’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
Contacting PG&E for CARE Program Enrollment
For PG&E customers, getting in touch with the CARE program is straightforward. Here’s how you can reach out to inquire about enrollment or application assistance:
PG&E CARE Program Phone Number: 866-743-2273
By calling this number, you can speak directly with a PG&E representative who can provide detailed information about the CARE program, answer your eligibility questions, and guide you through the application process.
PG&E CARE Program Website: CARE Program Information
The PG&E website also offers a wealth of information about the CARE program, including online application options and downloadable forms. You can access details about eligibility, required documentation, and frequently asked questions.
Other California Utility CARE Programs and Contact Information
While you may be specifically interested in the PG&E CARE program phone number, it’s important to know that CARE is a statewide program available through various utility companies in California. Here is a comprehensive list of utility providers and their contact information for energy assistance programs:
| 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 |
Alt text: Contact Information for California Utility Companies CARE Programs. Table lists utility names like PG&E, Edison, SDG&E, SoCalGas, Alpine Nat’l Gas, Bear Valley Elect, PacifiCorp, Liberty Utilities, Southwest Gas, and West Coast Gas, with corresponding emergency payment phone numbers and website links for CARE program details.
This table provides a quick reference to find the specific phone number or website for your energy provider if it’s not PG&E.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
For families whose income slightly exceeds the CARE guidelines, the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers another avenue for bill relief. FERA provides an 18% discount on your electricity bill. It’s available to customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Here are the income limits for the FERA program:
| Household | 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FERA) |
|---|---|
| 3 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $131,800 |
| Each Additional Person | $13,450 |
If your income falls within these ranges, contact your electric utility to inquire about FERA eligibility and application.
Take Action and Lower Your Energy Bills
If you believe you may be eligible for the CARE or FERA programs, don’t hesitate to take the next step. For PG&E customers, call the PG&E CARE program phone number at 866-743-2273 or visit their website. For other utility providers, use the contact information provided in the table above to learn more and start your application process. Reducing your energy bills can significantly improve your financial well-being, and these programs are here to help.
