PG&E Low-Income Programs

Marina Bay Beacon PSA PG&E Low-Income Programs June 2023
Marina Bay Beacon 2023. Photograph.

Save with PG&E’s CARE/FERA Program

The City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division encourages Richmond residents to reduce their energy bill through PG&E’s low-income assistance programs. CARE and FERA are PG&E discount programs that help eligible customers pay their energy bills. Over 1.4 million customers are receiving a bill discount through these two programs. Simply complete the online CARE/FERA enrollment form and PG&E will let you know if you're eligible.

  • California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE). A monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity. Participants qualify through income guidelines or if enrolled in certain public assistance programs.
  • Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA). A monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Must be a household with three or more people. Participants qualify through income guidelines.

Apply Online Here

Please note: Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities cannot apply through the CARE/FERA online application. Please use the CARE/FERA Sub-metered Residential application.

Find mail-in forms plus Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese applications under "Complete an application," at the following link: Complete an application (multiple languages).

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)