CARE program guidelines
Reduce your energy bill through the CARE Program
To qualify for CARE:
- The PG&E bill must be in your name. (For sub-metered tenants, the energy bill from your landlord must be 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 not share an energy meter with another home.
- You must account for all sources of qualifying household income and meet the program income guidelines.
- You must notify PG&E if your household no longer qualifies for the CARE discount.
- After you enroll, you may need to provide proof of qualifying household income. You may also be required to participate in the Energy Savings Assistance Program.
- Your monthly electric usage must not exceed six times the Tier 1 allowance. This is the lowest-priced rate tier within PG&E’s standard Tiered Base Plan.
- You must renew your eligibility every two years (or every four years if you’re on a fixed income).
- Qualification is based on the total income of everyone living in the home or participation in qualifying public assistance programs.
Qualifying for CARE based on public assistance program participation
You may qualify for the CARE Program if you or someone in your household takes part in any of the following public assistance programs.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A & B)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal (under age 65)
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal (age 65 and over)
Qualifying for CARE based on household income
Add all household members' incomes from all eligible sources for your total gross annual household income. The total combined gross annual household income must be at or below the amounts shown in the following table.
COVID-19 NOTE: Household income is calculated as your income as of the date you apply. Your income eligibility is based on current earnings of all persons living in your household going forward. It is not based on your past income, so if you have had a change in circumstances such as job loss or decreased wages, you may now qualify.
Number of Persons in Household | Total Gross Annual Household Income* | |
---|---|---|
1-2 |
$39,440 or less |
|
3 |
$49,720 or less |
|
4 |
$60,000 or less |
|
5 |
$70,280 or less |
|
6 |
$80,560 or less |
|
7 |
$90,840 or less |
|
8 |
$101,120 or less |
|
9 |
$111,400 or less |
|
10 |
$121,680 or less |
|
Each additional person, add |
$10,280 |
*Before taxes based on current income sources. Valid through May 31, 2024.
Household income includes all taxable and nontaxable revenues from all people living in the home. It includes, but is not limited to the following sources:
- 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
PLEASE NOTE: Your household income must meet the program income guidelines.
VERIFY YOUR INCOME
You may be selected for income verification after you enroll in, or recertify for the CARE Program. You must complete the verification process to continue receiving the CARE discount. For more information, visit CARE Post Enrollment/Recertification Verification.
Renew Your CARE Enrollment
You must renew your CARE Program enrollment every two years (or four years if you are on a fixed income). PG&E sends a renewal application three months before your discount expires. You can then reapply for the CARE Program if you still qualify under the current program guidelines using the same enrollment methods as previously described. Visit Renew CARE Enrollment.
CANCEL YOUR CARE ENROLLMENT
Cancel your CARE enrollment and opt out of future communications
You can cancel enrollment in the CARE Program and opt out of future CARE communications in several easy ways.
Option 1: Cancel your enrollment using our easy online form.
Visit CARE/FERA Programs—Cancel Enrollment and Opt Out Future Communications
NOTE: The form is available in English only.
Option 2: Cancel or opt out of CARE by email or phone
Cancel your enrollment and/or opt out of future CARE/FERA communications by emailing us at CAREandFERA@pge.com or calling 1-866-743-2273.