California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

If you have recently lost your job, even if you are receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for a reduced energy rate through our CARE program

Available to qualified residential customers in California.

Low-income California residents may qualify for a discount on their monthly electric bill through California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) for Permanent Primary Residential Customers.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered the state's regulated energy utilities to design a program that gives qualifying customers a 20 percent discount on their electric bills. This 20 percent discount applies to qualified low-income primary residential customers who receive their energy directly from Liberty or through a sub-meter such as in a mobile home park or an apartment complex.

  

Who Qualifies for the Discount?

There are two ways to qualify:


Option 1: Public Assistance Programs

You or someone in your household participates in at least one of the following public assistance programs:

  • Medi-Cal/Medicaid
  • CalFresh/SNAP
  • TANF/Tribal TANF
  • WIC
  • Medi-Cal for Families
  • LIHEAP
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • National School Lunch Program
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Option 2: Household Income

Your gross annual household income falls within the ranges listed below:

That means your combined household income (before taxes) from all sources must be no more than the following:

CARE Income Guidelines – Effective June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023

Maximum Gross Annual Household Income

Number of Persons in Household

Total Combined Annual Income

1 - 2

$36,620

3

$46,060

4

$55,500

5

$64,940

6

$74,380

7

$83,820

8

$93,260

Each Additional Person

$9,440

Upper Limit Calculation = 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.


To find out what your total combined income is, add together the income for each person living with you. Sources of that income include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplementary Payment (SSP) benefits.
  • Social Security benefits
  • Royalties and rental income
  • Child support or alimony payments
  • Food stamps
  • Cash public assistance
  • Wages, tips, and salary from employment
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Veteran's benefits
  • Disability benefits
  • Interest and dividends
  • Retirement benefits
  • Student aid

 

How to Apply

If you think you qualify for the California Alternative Rates for Energy, please contact Liberty at 1 (800) 782-2506 or download our CARE application and mail it to:

Liberty CARE Program
PO Box 19
Tahoe Vista, CA 96148-9905

Apply Online - EnglishApply Online - EspañolCARE Application Download

 

Remember: Only qualified customers may sign up for the program and unacceptable energy usage levels could result in removal from the program. When you fill out your application form you will be signing a document under penalty of perjury that says you meet the qualifications. You will need to provide proof of income which includes but is not limited to copies of any of the following documents:

  • State or federal income tax returns; if no tax return was filed, paycheck stubs or 1099 tax forms can be used
  • Copies of state and federal records proving income — such as military pensions, Social Security, or TANF records
  • Other documents, such as bank statements, that would prove income levels.

Liberty will verify and certify all applicants’ eligibility for the low-income rate. Liberty will also notify each low-income rate applicant of the status of their application.

 

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about the program call Liberty at 1-800-782-2506.