Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that thousands of gas and electric customers may now be eligible to receive a discount on their monthly energy bill through the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program. With hot summer temperatures right around the corner, now is an ideal time for PG&E's eligible customers to sign up.
Every year, the California Public Utilities Commission adjusts the maximum qualifying income levels for the CARE program to reflect current federal poverty guidelines. The latest adjustment to CARE means thousands of PG&E customers may now qualify for the program based on their pre-tax annual income, as follows:
| Size of Household | Previous Income Guidelines (June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012) | New Income Guidelines (June 1, 2012 -May 31, 2013) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,800 | $22,340 |
| 2 | $31,800 | $30,260 |
| 3 | $37,400 | $38,180 |
| 4 | $45,100 | $46,100 |
| 5 | $52,800 | $54,020 |
| 6 | $60,500 | $61,940 |
| 7 | $68,200 | $69,860 |
| 8 | $75,900 | $77,780 |
| Each Additional Person Add | $7,700 | $7,920 |
Currently more than 1.5 million customers throughout PG&E's service area are enrolled in CARE. Thousands of additional households in Northern and Central California are eligible for CARE, but not yet enrolled.
Eligible PG&E customers can apply for CARE by going online to www.pge.com/care and be enrolled in the program within two business days. Customers may also enroll through the toll-free multi-lingual assistance line at (866) 743-2273. The discount will appear on their bill after a full billing cycle.
In addition to the CARE program, PG&E customers may also be eligible for the Energy Savings Assistance Program which offers income-qualified renters and homeowners with easy, free solutions to help manage their energy use and save money on their monthly energy bills. Additional details, as well as eligibility requirements and enrollment instructions, can be found at www.pge.com/energysavings.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.
