CARE/FERA Online Application
Applying is quick and easy. No additional documentation is required.
Other Ways to Apply
By Phone
Call our Automated Telephone System at 1-800-798-5723.
By Mail
Download an application, print, and mail it to us.
Download: Large Print Application
Download: Standard Print Application
How to Know if You Qualify
You may qualify for either CARE or FERA based on the size of your household and the total current income of all persons living in your house, condo, apartment, or mobile home.
Effective June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, income limits are as follows:
Household Size | CARE Income Eligibility Upper Limit ** | FERA Income Eligibility Lower and Upper Income Limits* |
|---|---|---|
1-2 | $42,300 | $42,301-$52,875 |
3 | $53,300 | $53,301 - $66,625 |
4 | $64,300 | $64,301 - $80,375 |
5 | $75,300 | $75,301 - $94,125 |
6 | $86,300 | $86,301 - $107,875 |
7 | $97,300 | $97,301 - $121,625 |
8 | $108,300 | $108,301 - $135,375 |
Each Additional Person | $11,000 | $11,000 - $13,750 |
Other Resources
2-1-1
2-1-1 is a free, confidential phone service that is available 24/7 to assist you and your family during emergencies and with everyday needs. Dial 2-1-1 for free help or visit 211.org
.
Services vary by community, but the list below gives a well-rounded sampling of the help that may be available to you:
- Financial / Public Assistance Programs
- Housing Assistance / Emergency Shelter Programs
- Parenting Resources
- Mental Health Services
- Legal Services
- Food Bank / Hot Meal Center Information
- Employment Services
- Transportation Services
Low-Cost Internet & Computers
You may be eligible for low-cost internet and computers. Call 1-844-547-2171 or visit Internet For All Now.
California LifeLine Program
A state program providing discounted home or cellular phone services to eligible households. For more information, or to see if you qualify, visit California LifeLine Program.
Grid Solar
Homeowners may qualify for a free home solar system from our partner, GRID Alternatives. Find out if the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) program, a state of California program for low- or fixed-income families, can help you. Learn more at GridSolar.org.
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration programs are a great resource for qualifying customers, helping with retirement planning, Medicare prescriptions, and financial assistance. Visit socialsecurity.gov for more information.
Community Based Organization (CBO) Arrears Case Management Pilot Program
In April 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Decision (D. 22-04-037) that provided a framework to establish and operate a Community Based Organization (CBO) Arrears Case Management Pilot Program (CBO Pilot). In February 2024, the CPUC issued a subsequent Decision (D. 24-02-046) that approved the design of the CBO Pilot and instructed the Investor-Owned Utilities to implement the pilot.
Purpose
The purpose of this free pilot program, authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission, is to help residential customers reduce their past due energy bills. Participation is limited to the first 4,800 customers.
Services Offered
If you choose to participate, you will receive personalized support from a dedicated CBO case manager authorized by Southern California Edison (SCE) to assist you with:
- Creating an action plan to reduce your past due energy bills and prevent service disconnection
- Enrolling in SCE assistance programs
- Setting up payment plans with SCE
- Learning basic energy management and cost-savings tips
Pilot Timeline
The pilot program begins in December 2024 and concludes in April 2026. Pilot services will be available to participants for the entire duration of the pilot. However, customers can only enroll between December 2024 and July 2025.
Eligibility:
- You must be an SCE customer
- You must reside in one of the following zip codes: 92399, 92404, 92407, 92410, or 93292.
- You must have a past due electric bill that is at least 90 days old
- All income levels are eligible to participate
How to Enroll
To participate in this program, please contact one of the two authorized CBOs listed below that serves your ZIP code.
- United Way of Tulare County. Serving ZIP code 93292. Phone: 1-559-685-1766. Email: help@unitedwaytc.org. Website: www.unitedwaytc.org/help
- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County. Serving ZIP codes 92399, 92404, 92407, and 92410. Phone: 1-909-365-5762. Website: www.capsbc.org/home-energy-assistance-program-heap
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a cost for participating in the pilot?
No, there are no costs for customers to participate in the pilot.
2. What is the length of the pilot?
The pilot begins in December 2024 and concludes in April 2026. Case management services will be available to pilot participants for the entire duration of the pilot. However, customers can only enroll between December 2024 and July 2025.
3. What is expected of me as a pilot participant?
Participants are expected to meet with their CBO Case Manager at least once every quarter. During these meetings, participants should actively engage with their case manager, provide updates, and seek tailored support for resolving their past due energy bills.
4. What do I do if I am no longer interested in the pilot after signing up?
Participants can unenroll from the pilot at any time. To do so, please contact your CBO Case Manager to let them know you are no longer interested in participating.
5. Can I still participate in the pilot if I am enrolled in other energy assistance programs?
Yes, you can be enrolled in other utility programs and still participate in the pilot. However, Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) pilot participants cannot participate in the CBO Arrears Case Management Pilot Program. Please contact your CBO Case Manager for more details.
6. If I relocate after enrolling, can I continue participating in the pilot?
Yes, participants who move to a new address within their current utility’s service territory can remain in the pilot. However, participants who relocate to an address outside of their current utility’s service territory will be unenrolled from the pilot.
7. Can I be terminated from the pilot?
Yes, a pilot participant may be unenrolled by the CBO Case Manager for reasons including, but not limited to: 1) The CBO Case Manager has made three separate attempts to contact the participant within a 60-day period, and the participant has failed to respond or follow-up; and 2) The participant has relocated to an area outside of Southern California Edison’s service territory.
Learn more about the CPUC proceeding.