CARE Residential Single Family Program Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the discount last?
You will receive the discount for two years (or four years if you are on a fixed income). Three months before your discount expires, you will receive a letter and re-certification application from PG&E giving you the opportunity to reapply if you still qualify under the current program guidelines.
Do I have to show proof of income when I apply?
Proof of income is not required during the application process. However, you may be randomly selected for income verification at a later date.
How soon will the discount take effect?
The CARE discount will appear on your bill after the completion of a full billing cycle.
How will I know when the discount has been applied to my bill?
On the left side of the first page of your bill under "Special Account information" it will state "CARE - Discount Rate". Also, the Gas Account Detail section and Electric Account Detail section list the CARE discount as a separate line item. View the sample bill (PDF, 103 KB).
If my family shares a meter with another home, can both of our households apply together?
No. Each family must be separately metered in order to receive the CARE discount.
If my family has been denied CARE benefits before, how soon can we reapply?
Pacific Gas and Electric Company encourages families to re-apply whenever their income situation changes. Income guidelines change in June of each year.
If you have additional questions, call the CARE program at 1-866-743-2273 or e-mail CAREandFERA@pge.com.
