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40% off PG&E CARE and FERA enrollment
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40% off PG&E CARE and FERA enrollment

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CARE Program Guidelines
CARE Frequently Asked Questions
FERA Program Guidelines
FERA Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Income-qualified households (any size for both CARE and FERA as of 2025) OR participation in qualifying public assistance programs (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, etc.). Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities apply through a separate sub-metered application.
Auto Summary
PG&E discount programs for income-qualified Californians: CARE gives ~35% off electric and 20% off gas; FERA gives 18% off electric. As of 2025, FERA is open to households of all sizes (was 3+). One application covers both. Tenants of sub-metered facilities apply via a separate form. Income limits valid through May 31, 2026.
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Espanol
40% de descuento en la inscripción a CARE y FERA de PG&E
URL
https://www.pge.com/en/account/billing-and-assistance/financial-assistance/california-alternate-rates-for-energy-program.html
Last verified 2026-05-17. Income limits below are valid through May 31, 2026.

What you get

PG&E runs two discount programs for income-qualified customers. You apply for both with one form.
New in 2025: FERA now covers households of any size. Before, you needed 3+ people. About 150,000 more one- and two-person PG&E households became eligible. [Source: investor.pgecorp.com press release, June 2025]
Over 1.4 million PG&E customers are already on one of these programs.

Who qualifies

You qualify if either of these is true:
  1. Your total household income (before taxes) is at or below the limit for your household size, or
  1. Someone in your household gets CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, LIHEAP, Head Start (income-eligible), Tribal TANF, or one of several other public-assistance programs (CARE only — FERA is income-based only).
Other rules:
  • The PG&E bill must be in your name.
  • You must live at the service address.
  • No one else can claim you as a dependent on their taxes (unless that person also lives in the home).
  • Income is based on what you make now, not last year. If you lost a job or your hours dropped, apply with your current income.

Income limits (valid through May 31, 2026)

People in household
CARE (at or below)
FERA (between)
1–2
$42,300
$42,301 – $52,875
3
$53,300
$53,301 – $66,625
4
$64,300
$64,301 – $80,375
5
$75,300
$75,301 – $94,125
6
$86,300
$86,301 – $107,875
Each additional person, add
$11,000
$11,000 – $13,750
[Source: cpuc.ca.gov FERA income guidelines and pge.com program guidelines (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

The application takes a few minutes. No proof of income is required at sign-up. Your answers are confidential. One form covers both CARE and FERA — PG&E picks whichever fits.
  • Phone: 1-877-660-6789
  • Mail-in forms (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese) are on the PG&E CARE page.
If you rent in a sub-metered building (some apartments, mobile home parks, senior housing): you can still get the discount, but you can't use the online form. Use the sub-metered residential application instead.

Already enrolled? Renew on time

  • CARE/FERA enrollment lasts 2 years (4 years for fixed-income households).
  • If you miss it, the discount drops off your bill.

Post-enrollment verification

PG&E randomly asks some participants to prove their income or program enrollment. If you get a verification letter:
  • Respond by the date in the letter, or the discount stops.

Common pitfalls

  • Bill not in your name. PG&E can only apply the discount to the account holder. If the bill is in a roommate or landlord's name, the discount won't reach you directly.
  • Going over the usage cap. If you use more than ~600% of your baseline allowance in a billing period, the discount can be paused on the excess usage.
  • Skipping renewal. Most discount losses happen because someone ignored the renewal letter. Mark your calendar.
  • Counting last year's income. Use what you make now. If your income just dropped, apply now — don't wait.

Where to get help

  • PG&E CARE/FERA team: 1-877-660-6789 (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese available)

Sources

Freshness note (2026-05-30): The discounts (CARE ~35% off electric / 20% off gas; FERA 18% off electric) and the 2025 rule that FERA now covers any household size are all still current. The income limits in the table above expire May 31, 2026 — PG&E refreshes them every June 1. If you're reading this on or after June 1, 2026, check the latest figures on the PG&E CARE page or call 1-877-660-6789 before assuming you're over the limit. Remember: income is counted as of the day you apply, so apply now if your income recently dropped. [Source: pge.com CARE/FERA (accessed 2026-05-30)]