FERA frequently asked questions

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

• Turn on alerts to keep your monthly energy usage below 400 percent of your Baseline Allowance. 
  • What is Baseline Allowance?
• Renew your enrollment every two years. Renew every four years if you are on a fixed income. 
  • We'll remind you when it's time to re-enroll.
• Take a Home Energy Checkup

 Note: We may ask for proof of your eligibility in the future. This is to maximize the discounts available through FERA. Learn more about post-enrollment verification.

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:

• Meet the guidelines for total annual household income

CARE provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and 35% or more on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers). 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

 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 an alert banner when you sign in:
  • Select the "action is required" link in the banner.
    

• If you DON'T see an alert banner when you sign in:

  1. Go to the My Account dashboard.
  2. Under "Payments," select "All payment tasks."
  3. Select "Assistance programs."
  4. Under "CARE/FERA," select "Learn more about CARE/FERA and apply."
  5. Under "Verify your income," select "Income Verification Process."
     

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. 
  

 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. 
   • Your household must be at or below the amounts shown in 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.

Customers enrolled in the CARE or FERA program will automatically receive a discount, reducing their effective Base Services Charge. The standard Base Services Charge is discounted to $6.00 per month for CARE customers and is discounted to $12.00 per month for FERA households.

CARE and FERA customers will continue to receive their electricity usage discount. This will be in addition to the already reduced kWh pricing.

PG&E may contact customers who may qualify for the FERA discount. PG&E may also work with trusted partners to help customers learn about FERA and apply.

You can hang up and call PG&E directly at 1-800-743-5000. We can help confirm the call or answer questions about FERA.