California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

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What is the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program?

The CARE program provides a 20% discount on the monthly gas bill for eligible households. In addition, for those who qualify, and are approved within 90 days of starting new gas service will also receive a $15 discount on the Service Establishment Charge. You will receive your discount once your completed application is approved by The Gas Company.

Quick Links

If you already know about CARE requirements and want to apply, you can–

Apply Online, or Download an Adobe Acrobat PDF and mail in the application.

There Are Two Ways To Qualify

1) If you or another person in your household receives benefits from any of these programs:

• Medi-Cal/Medicaid
• Healthy Families Categories A & B
• Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
• TANF or Tribal TANF
• Head Start Income Eligible - Tribal Only
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA GA)
• Food Stamps / SNAP
• National School Lunch's Free Lunch Program (NSL)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

OR

2) Total income for all persons in your household meets the following income guidelines:

CARE Program Maximum Household Income

Number of persons in household	1 or 2	3	4	5	6
Total yearly household income* no more than	$30,500	$35,800	$43,200	$50,600	$58,000
For each additional person in your household add $7,400. * Includes current household income from all sources before deductions.

These income guidelines are effective June 1, 2009 thru May 31, 2010.

Total household income is all revenues, from all household members, from whatever sources derived, including but not limited to: wages, salaries, interest, dividends, spousal and child support payments; public assistance payments, Social Security and pensions, rental income, income from self-employment, and all employment-related non-cash income.

Recently Unemployed?

If you are recently unemployed, your household income will be calculated from the date of your unemployment. All other provisions on determining income, described above, still apply.

Conditions for Participation

• The gas bill must be in your name and the address must be your primary address.
• You must not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s income tax return other than your spouse.
• You must recertify your CARE eligibility when requested.
• You must notify The Gas Company within 30 days if you no longer qualify.
• You may be asked to verify your eligibility for CARE.

Applying For CARE

If you are ready to apply for CARE, you can–

Apply online, or

Download an Adobe Acrobat PDF and mail in the application.

If you have questions, please call our office:

Phone Numbers

English	1-800-427-2200
Español	1-800-342-4545
國語	1-800-427-1429
粵語	1-800-427-1420
한국어	1-800-427-0471
Tiếng Việt	1-800-427-0478
For Other Languages	1-888-427-1345
Hearing Impaired (TDD)	1-800-252-0259

Updated 9/2009