CA Utilities Implement Categorical Eligibility

Low income customers of the four largest utilities in California can now enroll faster and easier in the utilities’ electricity and gas discount program called CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy), which provides 20 percent discount.

Customers of Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and San Diego Gas&  Electric can now self-certify on the CARE discount application form that they or someone in their household are recipients of one of these means-tested programs: Medi-Cal, TANF, Food Stamps, WIC, LIHEAP, or Healthy Families A & B. 

The change came about as a result of rulings from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), including Decision 06-12-038, dated December 15, 2006, authorizing the utilities to implement “categorical eligibility,” which permits a customer to demonstrate eligibility for CARE with documentation of participation in a government means-tested program rather than having to provide evidence of income. The CPUC has advocated CARE automatic enrollment for recipients of means-tested programs through electronic matches between state administering agencies and utility customer records;   however, this hasn’t happened due to confidentiality issues. 

CARE income maximums are $29,300 for a household of one or two and $41,500 for a household of four, higher than the maximums for the means-tested programs. 

In a press release announcing the change, PG&E said there are still about 400,000 CARE-eligible customers in its territory that are not yet enrolled, while about 1.1 million households receive CARE.  Persons who submit PG&E’s one-page online application can be enrolled in CARE within two business days.

According to a recently-released needs assessment study of California’s low- income utility programs, CARE served nearly 3.7 million households at the end of 2006; however, nearly 1.5 million households were eligible for it but not enrolled. 

Source: PG&E

Page Last Updated: April 23, 2008