California Utility Savings Checker
One form checks your household against CARE, FERA, LIHEAP, and Medical Baseline — the four biggest utility assistance programs in California.
Most California households only check one utility assistance program at a time and miss the others. This tool runs your household size, income, and medical need against all four major programs at once — CARE and FERA (ongoing rate discounts), LIHEAP (bill assistance + free weatherization), and Medical Baseline (no income test) — so you see everything you're likely eligible for in one pass.
Enter your household details once. For the exact dollar discount or a deeper walkthrough of any single program, use the linked calculator for that program after you see your results.
Utility Savings Checker
Your Utility Program Results
How this is calculated
CARE and FERA share an income test based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (about 200% for CARE, 200%-250% for FERA households of 3+); this tool checks your income against both tables for your household size and places you in whichever program you qualify for — you can't be enrolled in both, since they share one application.
LIHEAP and its companion ESA weatherization program use a separate, more generous test (60% of state median income). Medical Baseline has no income test at all — it's based purely on a physician-certified medical condition or equipment need. Because these are four independent programs with three different income tests, it's common for a household to qualify for two or three of them simultaneously.
This checker flags every program you're a plausible candidate for; the linked calculator for each program gives you the exact discount amount and a direct enrollment link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CARE, FERA, and LIHEAP?
CARE and FERA both lower your ongoing monthly utility rate — CARE offers a bigger discount (30-35% off electric, 20% off gas) at a lower income limit, while FERA offers a smaller discount (about 18% off electric only) at a higher income limit for households of 3 or more. LIHEAP is different: it's a one-time or periodic bill-assistance payment or credit, plus free weatherization through the related ESA program, using a separate and more generous income test.
Can I qualify for more than one program at once?
Yes. You can be enrolled in CARE or FERA (not both — they share one application and you're placed in whichever you qualify for) at the same time as LIHEAP and Medical Baseline. Many lower-income households with a medical condition qualify for three programs simultaneously.
What is Medical Baseline and do I need to be low-income to qualify?
Medical Baseline has no income requirement. It's available to anyone with a qualifying medical condition or equipment need — such as home dialysis, an oxygen concentrator, a ventilator, or certain respiratory or neuromuscular conditions — certified by a physician. It provides additional low-cost "baseline" energy at your lowest rate tier.
How do I apply for CARE, FERA, or LIHEAP in California?
CARE and FERA share one combined application, submitted directly to your electric or gas utility (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas, or your municipal utility). LIHEAP and ESA are applied for separately through your local Community Services and Development-funded agency.
Do these programs check my income every year?
CARE and FERA income limits reset every June 1, and utilities periodically re-verify enrolled households. LIHEAP's income table resets on the federal fiscal year (October 1). If your income changes, it's worth rechecking your eligibility against the current year's table.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with the CPUC, CSD, or any utility. Final eligibility is determined by your utility (for CARE/FERA/Medical Baseline) or your local energy assistance agency (for LIHEAP/ESA).