CARE & FERA
Utility Assistance Programs

What Are CARE and FERA?

The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program are state-administered utility discount programs that reduce electricity and gas costs for qualifying California households. Both programs are offered through California's major investor-owned utilities — including Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCalGas, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

CARE provides a discount of approximately 20–35% on electricity bills and 20% on natural gas bills for qualifying households. FERA provides an approximately 18% discount on electricity bills for households that do not qualify for CARE but meet a separate income threshold for larger households.

For families managing the elevated household costs that often accompany a child's special needs — including medical equipment, climate control requirements, and increased time at home — these programs represent a straightforward opportunity to reduce a fixed monthly expense without navigating a complex enrollment process.

Understanding Each Program

CARE — California Alternate Rates for Energy

CARE is the primary utility discount program. It applies to both electricity and gas service and carries the larger discount of the two programs. Qualification is based on household size and income, with thresholds set at a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Households enrolled in certain public assistance programs — including Medi-Cal and SSI — are typically automatically eligible for CARE through a categorical qualification pathway.

FERA — Family Electric Rate Assistance

FERA is designed for households that earn too much to qualify for CARE but still fall below a separate income threshold. It applies only to electricity (not gas) and requires a minimum household size of three people. Families who do not qualify for CARE should always evaluate FERA eligibility — many qualify for FERA who never apply because they assumed neither program was available to them.

Medical Baseline

The Medical Baseline program is a separate rate category available to utility customers who have a household member who depends on life-support equipment, requires electric- or gas-powered medical equipment, or has a medical condition that requires a specific temperature range in the home. Medical Baseline provides additional usage allocation at the lowest rate tier. Importantly, Medical Baseline eligibility is based on medical need — not on household income — and is available regardless of CARE or FERA enrollment status.

The Financial Misconception Most Families Have

The widespread assumption that CARE and FERA are only for very low-income households leads a substantial number of qualifying families to simply never apply. The income guidelines are calibrated to household size, and they extend further up the income scale than most people expect.

Key points that families consistently miss:

• Income thresholds increase with household size — larger families qualify at higher income levels
• Households already enrolled in Medi-Cal or SSI typically qualify for CARE through categorical eligibility without an income calculation
• Medical Baseline is entirely separate from income — if a household member uses qualifying medical equipment or has a qualifying condition, the program is available regardless of what the family earns
• FERA fills the gap for households above the CARE threshold — families should evaluate both, not just CARE
• The application process is straightforward and the ongoing enrollment maintenance is minimal

The monthly savings from CARE and FERA — particularly for households with higher electricity usage due to medical equipment or climate control needs — are meaningful over the course of a year.

Common Mistakes Families Make

• Assuming household income is too high without checking the actual threshold for their household size
• Overlooking FERA when CARE appears out of reach
• Not pursuing Medical Baseline for children who use electric- or gas-powered medical equipment at home
• Not realizing that Medi-Cal or SSI enrollment may provide automatic categorical qualification for CARE
• Allowing program enrollment to lapse at renewal without recertifying, losing the discount

How to Apply

Applications are submitted directly through the household's utility provider. Each major California utility maintains its own CARE and FERA enrollment process. Contact your specific utility provider or visit their website to access current application forms and income guidelines. The guidelines are updated periodically, so it is worth checking current thresholds even if a previous check indicated ineligibility.

Apply directly through your utility provider. Links below are sourced from the California Public Utilities Commission:

For Medical Baseline enrollment, request the Medical Baseline application from your utility provider directly. Physician certification of the qualifying medical condition or equipment is typically required.

How JDMR Group Helps

JDMR Group shares CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline information as a complimentary resource — we do not charge for assistance with these utility programs. We include them in our client consultations because reducing fixed household costs is a practical component of maintaining financial stability for families managing significant caregiving responsibilities.

If you have questions about whether your household qualifies, or if you would like to discuss your family's broader support picture, a complimentary consultation is the place to start. This is one of the resources we share freely because it requires no barrier to access.