CARE vs FERA: Which Utility Discount Do You Get?
The two income-based utility discounts side by side: income limits by household size, how much each saves, and which one you get.
CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) cuts electric bills 30-35% and gas bills 20% for households up to about 200% of the federal poverty level, such as $66,000 a year for a family of 4. FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) cuts electric bills 18% for incomes just above that line, up to $82,500 for a family of 4. One application covers both.
Side by side
| CARE | FERA | |
|---|---|---|
| Electric discount | 30-35% | 18% |
| Gas discount | 20% | None |
| Base Services Charge (PG&E) | $6/month | $12/month |
| Income range | Up to about 200% of poverty | About 200% to 250% of poverty |
| Qualify through benefits | Yes | No, income only |
| Household size | Any | Any (since June 1, 2025) |
Income limits through May 31, 2027
Limits reset every June 1. Use your household's total gross annual income, from everyone living in the home and from all sources: wages, Social Security, pensions, child and spousal support, rental income and public assistance.
| People in household | CARE | FERA |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | $43,280 or less | $43,281 to $54,100 |
| 3 | $54,640 or less | $54,641 to $68,300 |
| 4 | $66,000 or less | $66,001 to $82,500 |
| 5 | $77,360 or less | $77,361 to $96,700 |
| 6 | $88,720 or less | $88,721 to $110,900 |
| 7 | $100,080 or less | $100,081 to $125,100 |
| 8 | $111,440 or less | $111,441 to $139,300 |
| Each additional person | add $11,360 | add $11,360 to $14,200 |
Qualifying for CARE through benefits
You also qualify for CARE, whatever your income, if anyone in the household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, SSI, WIC, LIHEAP, the National School Lunch Program, Head Start (income-eligible, tribal only), tribal TANF or Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance. FERA has no program path; it's based on income alone.
FERA is no longer just for families
Until 2025, FERA required at least 3 people in the household, so a single person or couple earning a little over the CARE limit got nothing. SB 1130 removed that rule, and the utilities started enrolling one- and two-person households on June 1, 2025. A couple earning $50,000 is over the $43,280 CARE limit but inside the $43,281 to $54,100 FERA band.
What the discount is worth
On a $200 monthly electric bill, CARE's discount is $60 to $70 and FERA's is $36, before the cheaper Base Services Charge. Since the bill redesign (on PG&E bills from March 2026), most customers pay a fixed Base Services Charge of about $24.15 a month at PG&E. CARE cuts that to $6 and FERA to $12, worth roughly $18 and $12 a month on their own. SDG&E's charge varies a little by climate zone.
Other rules
- The bill must be in your name, at your primary home, and you can't be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return (other than a spouse's).
- You renew every two years, or every four on a fixed income. The utility may ask you to prove your income, and you must tell it if you stop qualifying.
- PG&E's CARE application also says your monthly electric use can't exceed six times your baseline (Tier 1) allowance.
- CARE and FERA cover PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and SoCalGas. Municipal utilities such as LADWP and SMUD run their own discount programs.
Check your household
The CARE Eligibility Calculator and FERA Eligibility Calculator apply the current table to your household size and income. If you're behind on bills, also check LIHEAP and ESA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CARE and FERA?
Both are income-based discounts on investor-owned utility bills. CARE is for lower incomes and cuts electric bills 30-35% and gas bills 20%. FERA is for incomes just above the CARE limit and cuts electric bills 18%, with no gas discount. You get one or the other, from one shared application.
What is the CARE income limit for 2026?
From June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027: $43,280 for a household of 1 or 2, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4, plus $11,360 for each person over 8 (gross annual household income).
Can a single person get FERA?
Yes. SB 1130 removed FERA's old three-person minimum, and utilities have enrolled one- and two-person households since June 1, 2025. Through May 31, 2027, a household of 1 or 2 qualifies with income from $43,281 to $54,100.
Do I need to show proof of income for CARE?
Usually not at sign-up: you self-certify your income or list a qualifying program like Medi-Cal or CalFresh. The utility may ask some customers to verify income later, and you must renew every two years (four years on a fixed income).
What is the Base Services Charge discount?
Since the 2025-2026 bill redesign, most customers pay a fixed monthly Base Services Charge ($24.15 at PG&E). CARE customers pay $6 and FERA customers $12.
This article is for general information only. Your utility decides eligibility. Sources: PG&E CARE/FERA Program Application (Rev. 6.26, limits valid through May 31, 2027); PG&E FERA and Base Services Charge pages; SB 1130 (2024).