⚡ CARE & FERA · California Energy Discount Programs · Updated May 2026

CARE & FERA 2026: Energy Bill Discount Eligibility

CARE and FERA reduce your electricity and gas bills by 18-35%. Over 4.5 million California households participate. If your income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, you likely qualify for one of these programs.

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4.5M+ CA households enrolled in CARE
30-35% CARE discount on electricity
$30-50 Typical monthly savings (CARE)

What Are CARE & FERA?

CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) provides a 30-35% discount on electricity and a 20% discount on natural gas to qualifying low-income households. It is the largest utility discount program in California, serving over 4.5 million households.

FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) provides an 18% discount on electricity only to households of 3 or more people with income between 200-250% of the Federal Poverty Level. FERA is designed for families who earn too much for CARE but still need energy cost relief.

Both programs are funded by California's public utilities and mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). There are no fees, no deposits, and no repayment required. The discount is applied directly to your monthly utility bill.

CARE vs. FERA: Side-by-Side Comparison

CARE and FERA are related but distinct programs. Here's how they compare:

Feature CARE FERA
Income Limit ≤ 200% FPL 200-250% FPL
Household Size Any (1+ person) 3+ people only
Electricity Discount 30-35% 18%
Gas Discount 20% Not available
Typical Monthly Savings $30-50 $15-25
Participating Utilities PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas, and others PG&E and SCE only
Categorical Eligibility Yes (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, etc.) No (income-only)
Recertification Every 2 years Every 2 years
Key Rule: You cannot receive both CARE and FERA simultaneously. If you qualify for CARE (≤200% FPL), always apply for CARE — it provides a larger discount. FERA exists specifically for households that earn too much for CARE but still need assistance.

2026 Income Limits: CARE & FERA

Income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). CARE covers households at or below 200% FPL. FERA covers households of 3+ between 200-250% FPL. You can also qualify for CARE automatically through categorical eligibility (enrollment in qualifying programs).

Household Size CARE Limit (200% FPL) FERA Limit (250% FPL) CARE Annual FERA Annual
1 person $3,160 N/A* $37,920 N/A*
2 people $4,274 N/A* $51,288 N/A*
3 people $5,390 $6,738 $64,680 $80,850
4 people $6,504 $8,130 $78,048 $97,560
5 people $7,620 $9,525 $91,440 $114,300
6 people $8,734 $10,918 $104,808 $131,010
7 people $9,850 $12,313 $118,200 $147,750
8 people $10,964 $13,705 $131,568 $164,460

*FERA requires a minimum household size of 3. Households of 1-2 should apply for CARE instead. Source: 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Add approximately $1,116/month (CARE) or $1,395/month (FERA) for each additional person above 8.

Who Qualifies?

Both CARE and FERA use income-based eligibility. CARE also offers categorical eligibility through enrollment in qualifying assistance programs.

CARE Eligibility (Two Paths)

💰 Income-Based

Total household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. All sources of income count: wages, Social Security, disability, unemployment, pensions, child support, etc. No minimum household size.

🎯 Program-Based (Categorical)

If you or anyone in your household participates in any of these programs, you automatically qualify for CARE regardless of income: Medi-Cal, CalFresh (SNAP), CalWORKs (TANF), WIC, SSI/SSP, Head Start, LIHEAP, Tribal TANF, NSLA (school lunch), or BIA General Assistance.

🏠 Housing Programs

Residents of deed-restricted affordable housing, Section 8 HUD housing, or federally assisted housing also qualify for CARE. Must be receiving utility service in your own name or through a qualifying submetered arrangement.

👥 Tribal Land Residents

Members of a federally recognized tribe living on tribal land may qualify through the Tribal CARE variation, which provides the same discount rate. Contact your utility company directly for tribal-specific enrollment.

FERA Eligibility

👪 Income Between 200-250% FPL

Total household income above the CARE limit (200% FPL) but at or below 250% FPL. Must have 3 or more household members. Households of 1-2 people are not eligible for FERA.

Electricity Only

FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity only — no gas discount. Currently available through PG&E and SCE (Southern California Edison) only. SDG&E and SoCalGas do not offer FERA.

What Discount Do You Get?

The exact discount percentage depends on your utility provider and whether you're on CARE or FERA:

  • CARE Electricity: 30-35% off your total electric bill (varies by utility). PG&E: ~30%, SCE: ~30%, SDG&E: ~35%
  • CARE Natural Gas: ~20% off your gas bill. Available through PG&E, SoCalGas, SDG&E, and other gas providers
  • FERA Electricity: 18% off your electric bill. Only available through PG&E and SCE

Typical monthly savings: CARE customers save $30-50/month on combined electricity and gas. FERA customers save $15-25/month on electricity. Higher-usage households save more in absolute dollars — the discount is a percentage of your bill, not a flat amount.

Additional Benefits for CARE Customers: CARE customers also receive a waiver of the electricity service deposit (new accounts), exemption from certain rate surcharges, and may qualify for additional programs like ESAP (Energy Savings Assistance Program) which provides free home weatherization, appliance upgrades, and energy-efficient lighting.

Participating Utilities

California's investor-owned utilities (IOUs) all participate in CARE. FERA is more limited:

PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric)

CARE + FERA. Serves Northern and Central CA. Apply online at pge.com/care or call 1-866-743-2273. Gas and electric discounts available.

SCE (Southern California Edison)

CARE + FERA. Serves Southern CA (electricity only). Apply online at sce.com/care or call 1-800-447-6620. Electric discount only (no gas service).

🔥 SoCalGas (Southern California Gas)

CARE only. Serves Southern CA (gas only). Apply online at socalgas.com/care or call 1-800-427-2200. 20% gas discount. FERA not available.

SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric)

CARE only. Serves San Diego County. Apply online at sdge.com/care or call 1-800-411-7343. Gas and electric discounts. FERA not available.

Smaller utilities: Several smaller California utilities also offer CARE (Bear Valley Electric, Liberty Utilities, PacifiCorp). If you're served by a municipal utility (LADWP, SMUD, etc.), check with your provider — many offer their own low-income discount programs that are similar to CARE but have separate applications.

How to Apply for CARE or FERA

Applying is free and takes about 10 minutes. You can apply through your utility company:

1

Check Which Program You Qualify For

Use the income table above or our free eligibility screener to determine whether you qualify for CARE (≤200% FPL) or FERA (200-250% FPL, 3+ household members). If you're already enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, WIC, or SSI, you automatically qualify for CARE.

2

Apply Online, by Phone, or by Mail

Online: Visit your utility's website (links above) and complete the CARE/FERA application. Most utilities offer instant approval for categorical eligibility. By phone: Call your utility's CARE line (numbers above). By mail: Download and mail the application form from your utility's website.

3

Provide Income Verification or Program Proof

If applying based on income, you may need to submit income documentation (see checklist below). If applying based on a qualifying program (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, etc.), provide proof of enrollment — your utility may verify this electronically. Some utilities accept a self-certification initially and verify later.

4

Discount Applied to Your Bill

Once approved, the discount is applied automatically to your next billing cycle. No separate card or voucher — the discount appears as a line item on your regular utility bill. You'll see the CARE or FERA credit on every bill going forward until recertification is due (every 2 years).

Automatic Enrollment: Some utility companies partner with state agencies to automatically enroll qualifying customers. If you're already receiving CalFresh or Medi-Cal, you may receive a letter from your utility offering automatic CARE enrollment. Accept it — no additional paperwork required.

What Documents Do You Need?

What you need depends on how you qualify. If you qualify through a program, you generally need less documentation:

If Qualifying by Income:

📋 Most recent tax return (1040) or prior-year tax transcript
💰 Last 3 months of pay stubs for all working household members
📄 Social Security, SSI, or pension benefit statements
🏠 Unemployment or disability benefit letters

If Qualifying by Program Enrollment:

Proof of enrollment: Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC), CalFresh EBT card, or award letter
📧 Recent benefit notice or eligibility letter from the qualifying program

Self-certification: Some utilities (including PG&E) allow initial self-certification of income. You sign a statement declaring your household income and size. The utility may verify this later through a random audit — keep your income documents available. If audited, you'll have 45 days to provide documentation.

Common Misconceptions About CARE & FERA

MYTH
"CARE is only for people on welfare."

CARE serves working families. A household of 4 earning up to $6,504/month ($78,048/year) qualifies. Many two-income families with moderate wages are eligible. There is no work requirement, no stigma, and no welfare association — CARE is a utility rate program, not a social services program.

MYTH
"My landlord handles the bills, so I can't get CARE."

If you have your own utility account, you can apply directly. If utilities are in your landlord's name, they can apply for CARE on the account. California regulations (CPUC) require landlords in master-metered buildings to pass through CARE savings to tenants. Ask your landlord if they've enrolled the building account in CARE.

MYTH
"CARE doesn't work if you have solar panels."

CARE and FERA discounts apply regardless of whether you have rooftop solar. If you're on a net energy metering (NEM) plan, the CARE discount applies to the charges remaining after your solar credits. CARE customers may also be eligible for additional solar programs like SOMAH or DAC-SASH.

MYTH
"Applying for CARE will affect my immigration status."

CARE and FERA are utility discount programs, not public benefits programs. They are not administered by any government welfare agency. CARE and FERA are not considered in the federal public charge determination for immigration purposes. Your utility company does not share CARE enrollment information with immigration authorities.

Also Check Your Eligibility For

CARE/FERA recipients often qualify for other California benefits programs. Many of them (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, WIC) automatically qualify you for CARE. Use our free screener to check all 7 programs at once:

→ Use our free screener to check all 7 programs in 30 seconds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CARE and FERA?

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CARE provides a 30-35% discount on electricity and 20% on gas for households at or below 200% FPL (or enrolled in qualifying programs). FERA provides an 18% discount on electricity only for households of 3+ people earning between 200-250% FPL. CARE is available through all major California utilities; FERA is only available through PG&E and SCE. If you qualify for CARE, always apply for CARE — it's a bigger discount.

Can I get both CARE and FERA at the same time?

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No. CARE and FERA are mutually exclusive. You can only receive one. If your income is at or below 200% FPL, you qualify for CARE (the larger discount). FERA is specifically for households whose income falls between 200-250% FPL — above the CARE threshold but still in a moderate range. There is no benefit to being on FERA if you qualify for CARE.

Do I need to re-certify for CARE or FERA?

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Yes. CARE and FERA require recertification every 2 years. Your utility will send a recertification notice before your discount expires. You'll need to verify your income or program enrollment again. If you don't recertify by the deadline, the discount will be removed until you reapply. If you were categorically enrolled (via Medi-Cal, CalFresh, etc.), you may be recertified automatically if the utility can verify your continued enrollment.

Does my landlord need to apply if utilities are included in rent?

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If the utility account is in your landlord's name, the landlord must apply for CARE on behalf of the household. However, CPUC rules require landlords in master-metered buildings to pass through any CARE discount savings to tenants. If you have your own utility account (even in an apartment), apply directly. Ask your landlord whether they've enrolled the building's account in CARE — many don't realize they can.

Does CARE or FERA work with rooftop solar?

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Yes. The CARE/FERA discount applies to your electricity charges regardless of whether you have solar. If you're on a net energy metering (NEM) plan, the discount applies to the charges remaining on your bill after solar credits. CARE customers may also be eligible for additional solar programs like SOMAH (Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing) or DAC-SASH (single-family solar housing program).

How much will I save with CARE or FERA?

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CARE customers typically save $30-50/month on combined electricity and gas. FERA customers typically save $15-25/month on electricity. Actual savings depend on your energy usage, rate plan, and utility provider. The discount is a percentage — higher-usage households save more in absolute dollars. Summer months with air conditioning tend to show the largest savings.

What is the CARE income limit for a family of 4?

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For 2026, a family of 4 qualifies for CARE with a household income at or below $6,504/month ($78,048/year). That same family qualifies for FERA if their income is between $6,504 and $8,130/month ($78,048-$97,560/year). If anyone in the household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, WIC, or SSI, the household automatically qualifies for CARE regardless of income.

Check If You Qualify for CARE or FERA

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