Lower Your Winter PG&E Bill: CARE, FERA, and the SJ Cares Discount Most People Miss
One application can cut your energy bill three ways. Most San Jose households that qualify never stack all three discounts. With winter heating bills coming, here is the full stack — and the deadlines and limits that go with it.
Discount 1: CARE — 30–35% off electric, 20% off gas
The California Alternate Rates for Energy program — CARE — is the biggest discount. Through PG&E it takes 30–35% off your electric bill and 20% off your gas bill, and CARE customers also pay a reduced monthly Base Services Charge (about $6 instead of the standard $24.15).
Income limits (June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027), total household income at or below:
| Household size | CARE income limit |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people | $43,280 |
| 3 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 |
(Add $11,360 for each additional person.)
You may also qualify automatically if anyone in your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC, SSI, or federal free school lunch (National School Lunch Program), among other programs on the state’s list. If your household gets one of those, ask for CARE by name.
Discount 2: FERA — 18% off electric if your income is a bit higher
The Family Electric Rate Assistance program (FERA) helps households just above the CARE line. It takes 18% off the electric bill (electric only — there is no gas discount) and lowers the Base Services Charge to about $12 a month.
Income limits (June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027):
| Household size | FERA income limit |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people | $54,100 |
| 3 | $68,300 |
| 4 | $82,500 |
| 5 | $96,700 |
(Add $14,200 for each additional person.)
Two things people get wrong about FERA:
- Small households qualify. There used to be a “households of 3 or more” rule. A 2024 law (SB 1130) removed it — 1–2 person households can get FERA now.
- You only apply once. CARE and FERA share one application: apply for one and PG&E automatically checks you for the other. Renew every 2 years (every 4 years if you’re on a fixed income).
Discount 3: SJ Cares — an extra 10%, automatic for San Jose
Most San Jose homes get their electricity generation from San José Clean Energy (SJCE). Its program, SJ Cares, takes an extra 10% off SJCE’s generation rates — on top of CARE or FERA.
The best part: there is no SJ Cares application. Enrollment is automatic for CARE and FERA customers. Once PG&E confirms your CARE or FERA enrollment, SJCE applies SJ Cares (it can take up to two billing cycles to show up). If you have CARE or FERA and don’t see SJ Cares on your bill after two cycles, that’s worth a call.
Behind on your bill? Two crisis programs
REACH — a credit of up to $800. The Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help program grants a bill credit of up to $800 toward the past-due part of your bill. The rules:
- You must be the customer named on the account.
- You must have a 15-day or 48-hour disconnection notice.
- Your income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line (the same guidelines as CARE).
- You cannot have received REACH already in the same calendar year — and people enrolled in AMP (below) are not eligible.
- It’s processed by the Dollar Energy Fund, first-come, first-served, while funding lasts. Don’t wait for the shutoff date.
LIHEAP — a one-time payment toward heating or cooling. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program pays a one-time amount toward your heating or cooling bill (including wood, propane, or oil), and can help in a disconnection emergency. In Santa Clara County, the local provider is Sacred Heart Community Service, 1381 S. First St, San Jose — (877) 278-6455. Call them to check eligibility — for 2026, the state income limit for a household of 4 is $6,407.16 per month.
And if your past-due balance is bigger, ask PG&E about AMP (Arrearage Management Plan): if you’re on CARE or FERA, owe at least $500, and pay your current bill on time each month, 1/12 of your eligible debt is forgiven with each on-time payment — up to $8,000 forgiven over 12 months.
Do it in this order
- Apply for CARE/FERA on PG&E’s website or by phone — one application covers both.
- Wait two billing cycles and check that SJ Cares appears on your San Jose bill.
- If you’re behind, call about REACH (before the disconnection date) and LIHEAP at Sacred Heart — (877) 278-6455.
→ Check what you qualify for — utilities, food, rent, and more
See also: Cut your PG&E bill · Emergency help: bills, eviction & tonight
Figures checked October 2026 against the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E, San José Clean Energy, and the state LIHEAP agency. Income limits run June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027.
