What PG&E offers seniors

PG&E does not have a single "senior discount" program that reduces your bill by a percentage. Instead, the utility offers rate information programs based on household income, which many seniors may have access to for because retirement income is often lower than working-age earnings. The main program is the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which reduces your monthly bill by about 15 percent if you meet income limits.

A second program, Family Electric Rate Discount (FERD), offers similar savings but has slightly different income thresholds and is designed for families with children. Both programs are run by PG&E but funded by the state of California, so the discounts explore whether you use gas, electricity, or both.

If you are 65 or older and your household income falls below the limit for your county, you may be able to enroll in CARE. The income limit varies by county and by household size — a single person in one county might may have access to while the same income in another county does not.

Key Takeaways

  • PG&E's main senior discount is the CARE program, which reduces your bill by roughly 15 percent if your household income is below your county's limit.
  • Income limits for CARE vary by county and household size, so you need to check the specific threshold for where you live.
  • You can check your income against the limit and enroll through PG&E's website, by phone, or through a local community action agency.
  • If you are already on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or certain other benefits, you may be enrolled automatically without having to explore.
  • The discount applies to your gas and electric bill combined, and you keep it as long as your income stays below the limit.

How to learn about you may have access to

The first step is to find your county's income limit for CARE. PG&E publishes these limits on its website under the CARE program page, organized by county. You will see a table showing the maximum monthly or annual household income for different household sizes — for example, the limit for a single person in Alameda County is different from the limit in Kern County.

Add up your household's gross monthly income from all sources: Social Security, pensions, part-time work, rental income, or any other regular money coming in. If your total is at or below your county's limit for your household size, you meet the income requirement. You do not need to provide tax returns or detailed proof at the time you check — just an honest count of what comes in each month.

You also must be a PG&E customer in your own name (not a roommate or family member paying the bill), and you must live in the service area where you receive service. If you rent, you can still enroll — the program does not require you to own your home.

How to enroll in CARE

You have three main routes to enroll: online through PG&E's website, by phone, or through a local community action agency. The online route is fastest if you have your PG&E account number handy. Go to PG&E's CARE program page, click the enrollment link, and answer questions about your household size and income. You will be asked to confirm your identity and your PG&E account. The system will tell you when ready whether you may have access to.

If you prefer to enroll by phone, call PG&E's CARE line at 1-877-411-7273. A representative will walk you through the same questions and can enroll you on the spot. This call is free, and you do not need to have your account number in front of you, though it helps speed things up.

The third option is to contact a community action agency in your county. These are nonprofit organizations that help low-income households access utility information and other services. They can enroll you in CARE and may also tell you about other programs you might be able to use. To find the agency in your area, search "community action agency" plus your county name, or call 211 (a free helpline) and ask for the CARE enrollment site nearest you.

Automatic enrollment if you receive certain benefits

If you are already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplemental Payment (SSP), or certain other state or federal benefits, PG&E may enroll you in CARE automatically without you having to explore. The state shares information about who receives these benefits, and PG&E uses that list to sign up may be able to access people.

You can check whether you are already enrolled by logging into your PG&E account online or by calling customer service at 1-800-743-5000. If you are enrolled, you will see "CARE" or "FERD" listed under your account details. If you are not enrolled but you receive SSI or SSP, you can call the CARE line at 1-877-411-7273 and ask them to check your status and enroll you if you are not already in the system.

What the discount covers and how long it lasts

The CARE discount applies to your entire PG&E bill — both gas and electric charges, plus any taxes or fees. It does not reduce your service charge (the base monthly fee), but it does reduce the per-unit cost of the gas and electricity you use. The discount is about 15 percent on average, though the exact amount depends on your usage and your rate schedule.

Once you are enrolled, the discount stays on your account as long as you remain a PG&E customer in that service area and your household income stays at or below the limit. You do not have to reapply every year. However, PG&E may ask you to recertify your income every two years or if there is a significant change in your account. When they do, they will send you a notice in the mail with instructions on how to update your information.

FERD: An alternative if you have dependents

If you are a senior living with a child or grandchild under 18, you may also be able to enroll in FERD instead of or in addition to CARE. FERD has the same 15 percent discount but different income limits — usually higher than CARE — and is designed for households with children. The income threshold for FERD varies by county and household size, just like CARE.

You cannot be enrolled in both programs at the same time, so if you may have access to for both, PG&E will place you in whichever one gives you the larger discount or better fits your situation. When you enroll, the representative or website will check both programs and tell you which one you may have access to for.

What to do if your income is above the limit

If your household income is above the CARE and FERD limits, you may still have other options. PG&E offers a Medical Baseline program that provides a discount on a set amount of gas or electricity if you have a medical condition that requires you to use more energy — for example, if you need to run a medical device or maintain a certain temperature for health reasons. This program is not income-based and does not require you to be a senior, but you do need a doctor's letter stating that the medical condition exists.

You can also look into whether your county or city has its own utility information programs, or whether you may have access to for other state or federal programs that help with utility bills. Call 211 or visit your local Area Agency on Aging to ask what programs serve your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will my bill go down if I enroll in CARE?

The discount is roughly 15 percent of your total bill, but the exact amount depends on how much gas and electricity you use and your rate schedule. A household using very little energy will see a smaller dollar savings than one using more. PG&E can give you an estimate of your discount before you enroll if you call the CARE line or ask during online enrollment.

Do I have to prove my income with tax returns or bank statements?

No. When you enroll, you straightforward tell PG&E your household income, and they take your word for it. You do not submit documents at the time of enrollment. If PG&E asks you to recertify your income later (usually every two years), they may ask for proof at that point, but many people recertify by phone without submitting paperwork.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I am enrolled?

You are supposed to tell PG&E if your income rises above the limit, and they will remove you from the program. However, they do not monitor your income continuously — they only know about changes if you report them or if they ask you to recertify. If you are unsure whether you still may have access to, call the CARE line and ask.

Can I enroll if I am behind on my PG&E bill?

Yes. Being behind on your bill does not disqualify you from CARE. In fact, enrolling in CARE may help you catch up because the discount reduces your monthly charges going forward. Some community action agencies also offer one-time bill payment help for people behind on utilities, so ask about that when you enroll.

How long does it take to see the discount on my bill?

If you enroll online or by phone, the discount usually appears on your next billing cycle, which could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on when your bill date falls. If you enroll through a community action agency, it may take a bit longer because the agency has to submit your information to PG&E. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail once the discount is active.