Base Services Charge
Your Electric Bill Is Changing. Here’s What’s Happening.
Under California Assembly Bill 205, electric utility companies are required to adjust the way residential customers are billed.
In October or November 2025, electricity bills will be restructured for all residential customers. The electric delivery section of the bill will now include a Base Services Charge as a separate line item, and customers may also experience a reduction in the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh)1.
The goal of this change is to make it more affordable for everyone to adopt electric technologies and use more clean, sustainable energy. SCE does not earn more profit because of this change. To learn more, visit California Assembly Bill 205 Fact Sheet.

How Much Will I Pay?
The Base Services Charge amount varies and will automatically be applied to your bill. If you are enrolled in one of our income-qualified programs or living in a qualifying housing property known as deed-restricted affordable housing2, you may be eligible to receive a discounted Base Services Charge. Below are the different Base Services Charge amounts.
- California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) customers – approximately $6.003 per month
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) customers – approximately $12.003 per month
- Customers living in qualified deed-restricted affordable housing2 – approximately $12.003 per month
- Customers not enrolled in CARE or FERA or not living in eligible deed restricted affordable housing – approximately $24.003 per month
Not enrolled in the CARE or FERA programs? See if you qualify to receive a discounted Base Services Charge here.
What’s Not Changing
You’ll remain on your current rate plan, whether it’s Time-of-Use or Tiered. If you’re enrolled in programs like CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline, you’ll continue to receive those benefits.
How Will My Bill Change?
Your bill may go up, down, or stay the same, depending on your usage. The chart below shows how your bill may be affected by this change.
Customer Type | Likely Bill Change | Why? |
---|---|---|
Low Energy User | Bill may increase | The lower cost per kilowatt-hour may not decrease your cost enough to cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in an increase. |
Medium Energy User | Bill may stay the same | The lower cost per kilowatt-hour may balance the Base Services Charge. |
High Energy User | Bill may decrease | The lower cost per kilowatt-hour may help cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in savings. |
CARE/FERA Customers and Customers living in deed-restricted affordable housing2 | Bill may decrease | The lower cost per kilowatt-hour may help cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in savings. |
Solar Customers (not participating in CARE/FERA) | Depends on net usage | Solar customers still pay the Base Services Charge but may benefit from lower electricity usage rates when they aren’t generating power. |
Can I See a Bill Sample?
To help you understand what to expect, the examples below show an average monthly bill based on different usage amounts.
How Can I Save?

Do I Qualify for a Discount?
With the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program you may qualify for a monthly bill discount of 32.5% or up to 18% with the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. In addition to the monthly bill discount, you may also qualify for a discounted Base Services Charge. The Base Services Charge won't affect your participation in either CARE or FERA.
- CARE customers – Base Services Charge of approximately $6.003 per month
- FERA customers – Base Services Charge of approximately $12.003 per month
Not sure if you qualify? 2-minute eligibility form!

Explore Rate Plans to Maximize Potential Savings
It's good to know your options. You can use the Rate Plan Comparison Tool to get a personalized rate comparison based on your energy usage. You can also explore other available rate plan options and easily switch rate plans if you find one that better fits your needs.
Compare rate plans in minutes.
Customers on the Solar Billing Plan, operating on a master meter, or with less than five months of continuous usage are not eligible to use the Rate Plan Comparison Tool.
What If I Have Solar?

Do solar customers pay the Base Services Charge?
All residential customers, including solar customers, will pay a Base Services Charge. Solar customers are still connected to the grid and require the infrastructure, meters, and other equipment needed to maintain it.
How does this impact my overall bill?
Your net electricity usage cost still depends on how much energy you produce and use.
Is the Base Services Charge due monthly?
The Base Services Charge is payable each month, even for customers with Net Energy Metering (NEM) or Solar Billing Plan (SBP), regardless of energy usage.
FAQs
Have a question? Find answers quickly below.
1Estimated as of March 1, 2025.
2 Deed-restricted affordable housing properties are identified by the California Housing Partnership and defined as an affordable rental home that is restricted by the rules of state or federal subsidies to residents who have incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Media Income. For more information, visit chpc.net.
3 Your exact Base Services Charge amount will vary based on the number of days in your billing cycle.