California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

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

Eligible customers of SoCalGas may receive a 20 percent discount on their monthly gas bill at their primary residence through our California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program. New customers, who are approved within 90 days of starting new gas service, may also receive a $15 discount on their Service Establishment Charge. You will receive your discount once your completed application is approved by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas).

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 and Children (WIC)

   CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF

   Head Start Income Eligible - Tribal Only

   Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA GA)

   CalFresh / SNAP (Food Stamps)

   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:

   Number of persons in household	Total yearly household income* no more than
   1	$22,340
   2	$30,260
   3	$38,180
   4	$46,100
   5	$54,020
   6	$61,940
   7	$69,860
   8	$77,780
   For each additional person in your household add $7,920. * Includes current household income from all sources before deductions.

   These income guidelines are effective June 1, 2012 thru May 31, 2013.

   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 SoCalGas within 30 days if you no longer qualify.
• You may be asked to verify your eligibility for CARE.