California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

The CARE program can help you save 20% on your monthly gas bill.

SoCalGas® CAREs

If you have recently lost your job, even if you are receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for 20% off your natural gas bill with our CARE program. It only takes a few minutes to apply and no additional documentation is required.
 
Apply today to see if you qualify.
 
Apply Now Submetered Application

The California LifeLine Program

CARE participants could lower the cost of their phone bills with the California LifeLine Program. Visit www.californialifeline.com to see the types of discounts available and learn how to apply. 

CPUC / California Lifeline is also offering CARE participants a monthly $15 discount towards prepaid cell phone plans. Click here to learn about this limited-duration pilot program.

Two ways to qualify:

 

  • 1. Public Assistance Programs

    If you or another person in your household receives benefits from any of the following programs.
     
     
    Medi-Cal/Medicaid
    Medi-Cal for Families A & B
    Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
    CalWORKs (TANF)[1] or Tribal TANF
    Head Start Income Eligible - Tribal Only
    Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
    CalFresh (Food Stamps)
    National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
    Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    2. Maximum Household Income

    Effective June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.                                           

     

    Household Size Total yearly household income not more than
    1-2 $34,480
    3 $43,440
    4 $52,400
    5 $61,360
    6 $70,320
    7 $79,280
    8 $88,240

    Each additional Person $8,960

     

Conditions for Participation

  • The natural 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 application when requested.
  • You must notify SoCalGas within 30 days if you no longer qualify.
  • You may be asked to verify your eligibility for CARE. You can view our CARE Verification FAQs here.
  • If you are recently unemployed, your household income will be calculated from the date of your unemployment.[2]

Qualified Businesses

If you are operating an agricultural employee housing facility, migrant services and nonprofit migrant farm worker housing centers, or a nonprofit group living facility (homeless shelter, drug rehabilitation center, halfway house, hospice), your facility may be eligible for the CARE program.

Agricultural Housing Facility

Migrant Services and Nonprofit Migrant Farm Worker Housing Centers

Nonprofit Group Living Facility

Capitation Agencies 

Non-profit and/or community-based organizations can apply to be compensated for new enrollments in the CARE program.

Capitation Application

 
[1] Includes Welfare-to-Work
[2] All other provisions on determining income, described above, still apply.

The CARE program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SoCalGas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Program funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until such funds are no longer available. This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice. Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.