IMPORTANT

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)

Long-term monthly discounts on your electricity bills

Are you looking for the FERA enrollment or renewal form?

About FERA

The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program helps eligible customers pay their energy bill. Income-qualified customers get an 18 percent monthly discount on electric rates.

 

important notice Note: FERA and CARE share one application. If you do not qualify for FERA, we will check to see if you qualify for CARE. Learn more about CARE. In addition, other financial assistance resources and support are available.

Eligibility

In this section:

 

To qualify for FERA:

  • The PG&E bill must be in your name.
    • If you're a sub-metered tenant, you must have the landlord’s energy bill in your name.
  • You must live at the address to which the discount applies.
  • Another person (besides your spouse) can’t claim you as a dependent on an income tax return.
  • You must account for all sources of qualifying household income.
  • You must notify PG&E if your household no longer qualifies for the FERA discount.
  • You must meet the program income guidelines.
  • After you enroll, you may need to provide proof of qualifying household income.

 

Household income guidelines

Your eligibility is based on your household income. To calculate your household income:

  1. Add all household members' incomes from all eligible sources for your total gross annual household income.
  2. Compare your total combined gross annual household income against the income guidelines table below. 

important notice Note: Your household must be at or below the amounts shown in the income guidelines table below.

 

Household income includes all taxable and nontaxable revenues from all people living in the home. It includes, but is not limited to:

  • Wages
  • Salaries
  • Interest and dividends
  • Spousal and child support payments
  • Public assistance payments
  • Social Security and pensions
  • Housing and military subsidies
  • Rental income
  • Self-employment income
  • All employment-related, non-cash income

*Income should be before taxes and based on current income sources. Valid through May 31, 2026.

Enrollment

How do I submit a FERA application?

First, complete and sign the application. Next, submit your application using one of the following ways:

PG&E CARE/FERA program
P.O. Box 29647
Oakland, CA 94604-9647

 

Fax: 1-877-302-7563

Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

 

Write "FERA application" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your application to the email.

How do I submit a FERA application for sub-metered tenants?

First, complete and sign the application. Next, submit your application using one of the following ways:

PG&E CARE/FERA program
P.O. Box 29647
Oakland, CA 94604-9647

 

Fax: 1-877-302-7563

Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

 

Write "Sub-metered tenant application" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your application to the email.

Renew enrollment for sub-metered tenants

You must renew your enrollment every two years—or four years if you are on a fixed income. We'll remind you when it's time to re-enroll. Here's how it works:

  • PG&E sends a renewal application three months before your discount expires.
  • If you still qualify under the current program guidelines, you reapply for FERA.
    • Use the same enrollment methods as previously described. 

Have you received a renewal request?

If you've received a renewal request, renew now. You may also renew if you're within 90 days of the date your current enrollment expires.

 

Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities CANNOT use the online CARE application. To apply for CARE, you must download and print an application: 

 

Cancel enrollment for sub-metered tenants

To cancel your enrollment and/or opt out of future CARE communications, email CAREandFERA@pge.com.

 

important notice Note: Check your PG&E bill to see if you're already enrolled in CARE/FERA or another program. Learn how to read your bill.

 

Are you currently enrolled?

Find the programs you're enrolled in and your total FERA savings on your PG&E bill:

 

How to keep saving with FERA

important notice Note: We may ask for proof of your eligibility in the future. This is to maximize the discounts available through FERA. 

Post-enrollment verification (PEV)

What is post-enrollment verification?

After enrolling in FERA, you may receive a letter from PG&E that explains your household has been randomly selected to provide proof of income.

 

important notice Note: If we do not hear from you by the date specified in the email or letter, your discount will be removed.

Get more information about PEV and download PEV forms.

Forms and guides

FERA resources

Scroll down to find the following PDF documents:

  • FERA enrollment print applications
  • FERA enrollment sub-metered tenants print applications
  • Understand your bill
  • Baseline Allowance
  • Money-saving tips

Most forms are available in:

  • English
  • Large-print English
  • Español
  • 中文
  • Việt

FERA enrollment print applications

Frequently asked questions

FERA program FAQ

Still can't find an answer to your question? Email CAREandFERA@pge.com.

The FERA and CARE programs provide a monthly discount for income-qualified households. However, each program offers a different type of energy discount and has different eligibility guidelines:

 

FERA offers an 18 percent discount on electric rates. FERA does not offer a discount on gas rates. To qualify for the FERA discount, your household must:

CARE offers a minimum 20 percent discount on gas and electric rates. To qualify for the CARE discount, someone in your household must:

  • Already participate in certain public assistance programs, or
  • Meet the guidelines for total annual household income

important notice Note: FERA and CARE share one application. If you do not qualify for FERA, we will check to see if you qualify for CARE.

  • The discount is applied for two years. If you are on a fixed income, the discount is applied for four years.
  • About three months before the discount expires, PG&E sends a letter and an application. If you still qualify under the current program guidelines at that time, you can reapply.

Proof of income is not required during the application process. However, we may randomly select you to provide income proof at a later date.

The discount will appear on the next bill you receive.

  • The phrase "FERA Discount" appears on the first page of your bill, under the "Your Enrolled Programs" heading.
  • The FERA Discount is also listed on the "Details of Electric Charges" section of your bill.

No. Each family must have a separate meter to receive the FERA discount.

  1. Sign into your account.
  2. Go to the My Account dashboard. 
  3. Under "Payments," select "All payment tasks."
  4. Select "Assistance programs."
  5. Under "CARE/FERA," select "Enroll/Renew."

Still unable to complete the process?

It's possible you're attempting to recertify:

  • Too early—more than 60 days before your CARE enrollment expires or
  • Too late—after your enrollment expiration date

If you're within 60 days of your enrollment expiration, and still can't recertify online, call 1-800-660-6789 to resolve the issue.

 

Find more information on how to renew FERA online


Review the letter. Once you have identified and completed the missing information or documents, use one of the following ways to submit them:


Submit your documents online

There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

  • If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
    1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
    2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
    3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

    meter

     

  • If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
    1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
    2. "Assistance Programs" -->
    3. "CARE/FERA" -->
    4. "Verify your income."

Submit documents by mail or fax

  • Mail or fax the completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form and eligibility documents to:
    PG&E CARE/FERA program
    P.O. Box 29647
    Oakland, CA 94604-9647

    Fax: 1-877-302-7563

Submit your documents by email

  • Email the completed documents to CAREandFERA@pge.com. Write "FERA PEV" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your:
    1. Completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form
    2. FERA eligibility documents

Do you still have questions? Email CAREandFERA@pge.com or call 1-866-743-5832.

  • We encourage you to reapply whenever your income situation changes.
  • Proof of income is required if you reapply within 24 months of being denied FERA benefits. 

important notice Note: The income guidelines change each year in June. 

No. You may only participate in one of the two programs at any given time. You can apply for FERA when your income meets the FERA income guidelines.

Call the FERA program at 1-877-660-6789 or send an email to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

Your eligibility is based on your household income. To calculate your household income:

  1. Add all household members' incomes from all eligible sources for your total gross annual household income.
  2. Compare your total combined gross annual household income against the income guidelines table

Use only current and expected income for the next 12 months.

  • Your annual income calculation should not include income earned from prior employment.
    • If you and/or other members of your household have experienced job loss or decreased wages, you may now qualify.

Are you receiving UI?

Are you receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits at the time of application? You can use your EDD award letter to calculate income based on how many weeks you are scheduled to receive payment.

Energy Savings Assistance

  • Are you enrolled in FERA?
  • Do you own or rent a house, apartment or mobile home that is five years or older?

You may qualify for the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program.

More resources and support

Additional discounts

Find information about discounts on phone and internet services.

Take the Home Energy Checkup

  • Take the 5-minute Home Energy Checkup.
  • Identify sources of wasted energy in your household.
  • Get a custom savings plan to lower monthly bills.

Budget Billing

Budget Billing is a free tool that averages your annual energy costs to help you manage your bills.

  • Level out monthly payments.
  • Offset high seasonal bills.