Financial Assistance for Families and Individuals
SCE understands that many customers continue to struggle financially, and that sometimes other expenses must come first. Our Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and California Alternate Rates for Energy(CARE) financial assistance programs help qualifying families of all sizes lower their monthly energy bills when they need it most.
Learn About FERA and CARE
Both FERA and CARE provide significant discounts to customers who qualify for bill assistance based on their household size and income. A single application takes two minutes to complete. No additional documentation is required.
FERA
Qualifying families and households of three or more receive an 18% discount on their electric bills.
CARE
Qualifying individuals and households of two or more receive up to 30% off their electric bills. Learn more or apply by phone at 1-800-447-6620.
How to Qualify
You may qualify for either FERA or CARE based on the size of your household and the total current income of all persons living in your house, condo, apartment, or mobile home.
1. Household Size and Income
Effective June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 income limits are as follows:
| Household Size | FERA Income Eligibility Lower and Upper Limits* | CARE Income Eligibility Upper Limit** |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Not eligibile | $36,620 |
| 3 | $46,061 - $57,575 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $55,501 - $69,375 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $64,941 - $81,175 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $74,381 - $92,975 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $83,821 - $104,775 | $83,820 |
| 8 | $93,261 - $116,575 | $93,260 |
| Each Additional Person | $9,441 - $11,800 | $9,440 |
| *Fera Lower Limit Calculation = 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (CARE) + $1 Fera Upper Limit Calculation = 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines **CARE Upper Limit Calculation = 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines |
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2. Public Assistance Programs
Additionally, you may qualify for CARE if you or someone in your home participates in at least one of the following public assistance programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh/SNAP (food stamps)
- CalWorks (TANF)/Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (tribal only)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Medi-Cal/Medicaid
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
How to Apply
Apply Online
Applying is quick and easy. No additional documentation is required.
Mail-In Application
Download an application, print, and mail it to us.
Already Enrolled?
Recertify
CARE and FERA participants must re-enroll every two years. If you received a recertification notice in the mail, it’s time to re-enroll.
CARE Post-Enrollment Verification
CARE program participants may be asked to verify their eligibility.
Additional Economic Assistance
Our commitment to meeting your needs continues with additional bill-pay and financial assistance programs.
Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)
Customers enrolled in CARE or FERA with past-due bills at least 90 days old totaling $500 or more, and who has been a customer of SCE for at least six months and made an on-time payment within the last 24 months, maybe forgiven one-twelfth (1/12) of their eligible past-due amounts in exchange for on-time payment of the current monthly bill.
Medical Baseline Allowance Program
Users of electrically powered medical equipment may qualify for an additional 16.5 kilowatt-hours per day at the lowest baseline rate to help offset the cost of operating the medical equipment.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP provides additional federally funded assistance for home energy costs.
Energy Assistance Fund (EAF)
Qualifying customers can receive one-time monetary assistance with their energy bill. We work with over 80 community-based organizations to make applying easy and accessible.
Other Discounts
SCE helps lower energy costs for income-qualified customers.
Submetered Tenants
Rate discounts are available for qualified tenants billed for energy usage through their landlords in apartment buildings, mobile-home parks, residential RV parks, or marinas.
CA Lifeline Program
CARE recipients may qualify to lower the cost of their phone bills through the California Lifeline Program offering discounted home phone or cell phone services to eligible households.
Call 1-866-272-0349 (English), or
1-866-272-0350 (Spanish)
Solar
Qualified homeowners residing in a disadvantaged community (DAC) and considering solar may qualify for a free solar power system from our partner, GRID Alternatives.
Capitation Fee Program
If your organization dedicates resources to enrolling individuals and families in these programs, you could be entitled to a capitation fee to help offset your expenses.
Nonprofit Group Living Facility
The CARE program offers a monthly discount on energy bills for qualifying nonprofit group-living facilities. Learn if your tax-exempt group-living facility qualifies.
Low-Cost Internet and Computers
You may be eligible for discounts up to $30 per month for fast home Internet service, and up to $100 for a computer or tablet.
Learn More or call (866) 519-8655