Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program

Households of three or more can save on their electricity bill

Apply for a monthly discount through FERA.

The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program helps eligible customers pay their energy bill. Income-qualified customers get an 18% monthly discount on electric rates. Participants must be a household with three or more people.

Note: CARE and FERA share one application. If you do not qualify for FERA, we will check to see if you qualify for CARE. Learn more about CARE. In addition, other financial assistance resources and support are available.

Eligibility

Get started with FERA

See if you qualify for an 18% discount on your electricity.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for FERA as a PG&E customer, you must:

• Have a PG&E bill in your name
  • Are you a sub-metered tenant? The energy bill from the landlord must be in your name
  • After you enroll, we may select you for income verification.

  Income guidelines

  Your eligibility is based on your household income.
  

  1. Add all household members' incomes from all eligible sources for your total gross annual household income.
  2. Compare your total combined gross annual household income against the income guidelines table below.
     • Your household must be at or below the amounts shown in the income guidelines table below.

  Household income includes all taxable and nontaxable revenues from all people living in the home. It includes, but is not limited to the following sources:

  • Wages
  • Salaries
  • Interest and dividends
  • Spousal and child support payments
  • Public assistance payments
  • Social Security and pensions
  • Housing and military subsidies
  • Rental income
  • Self-employment income
  • All employment-related, non-cash income

  Compare CARE and FERA income guidelines

  *Income should be before taxes and based on current income sources. Valid through May 31, 2025.

  Enrollment

  

  FERA enrollment

  Enroll in, cancel and renew FERA—plus, important information for PG&E customers currently enrolled in FERA.

  New enrollment

  Apply for FERA

  If your household meets the eligibility and income requirements, it's easy to apply for a monthly discount on your electric bill through FERA.

  • If you don't have an online account, use one-time access.
  • No additional documentation is needed at the time of application.
  • Your answers are confidential.

  Applications in multiple languages

  • Online applications:
    • English, apply or renew now for CARE/FERA
    • Español, Solicite ahora Programas CARE/FERA — Inscripción/Re-inscripción
    • 中文, 申請 CARE/FERA計劃-申請或從新申請 -第 1 步
    • Việt, Các ứng dụng trực tuyến không khả dụng
      
    • English, CARE/FERA Application (PDF)
    • Español, CARE/FERA Application (PDF)
    • 中文, CARE/FERA Application (PDF)
    • Việt, CARE/FERA Application (PDF)
      
    • PG&E CARE/FERA Program Application Residential Customers (English) (PDF)
    • Solicitud Para El Programa CARE/FERA Clientes Residenciales (Spanish) (PDF)
    • PG&E CARE/FERA 計劃在中國的應用 (Chinese) (PDF)
    • PG&E Mẫu Dơn Chương Trình CARE/FERA Khách Hàng Gia Cư (Vietnamese) (PDF)

    Enrollment for tenants in sub-metered locations

    Tenants of sub-metered buildings must submit a mail-in application. Apply via email, mail or FAX.

    Note: Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities cannot apply through the CARE/FERA online application.

    • By email
      
      • Download the CARE/FERA Sub-metered Residential Application (English) (PDF).
      • Forms in languages other than English can be found in the "Forms and Guides" tab.
        
      • To receive a CARE/FERA Sub-metered Residential Application in the mail, call 1-877-660-6789 or email CAREandFERA@pge.com.
        
      • Send the complete application to:

      PG&E
      FERA PROGRAM
      PO BOX 29647
      Oakland, CA 94604-9647

      • By FAX
        • FAX your application to 1-877-302-7563.

        Renew enrollment

        You must renew your enrollment every two years—or four years if you are on a fixed income. We'll remind you when it's time to re-enroll.
        

        Have you received a renewal request?
        

        • If you’ve received a renewal request, renew now.
        • You may also renew if you’re within 90 days of the date your current enrollment expires.

        If you still qualify under the current program guidelines, you can reapply to FERA.

        Access the form in Chinese: FERA 計劃 - 申請或從新申請 - 第 1 步

        Cancel enrollment

        To cancel your enrollment and/or opt out of future CARE/FERA communications, email CAREandFERA@pge.com.

        Are you currently enrolled?

        Your PG&E bill contains a lot of valuable information, including:

        • Your FERA savings
        • Programs you're enrolled in
        • Other useful account information

        

        How to keep saving with FERA

        • Turn on alerts to keep your monthly energy usage below 400% of your Baseline Allowance.
          • What is Baseline Allowance?
          • We'll remind you when it's time to re-enroll.

          Note: We may ask for proof of your eligibility in the future. This is to maximize the discounts available through FERA.

          Conduct a Home Energy Checkup

          You'll receive a customized plan to help you save energy.

          Post-enrollment verification

          Proof of income

          Proof of income is not required when you apply for FERA. However, after enrolling:

          • You may be selected to provide income verification at any time.
          • If we do not hear from you by the date specified in the email or letter, your discount will be removed.

          Standard income verification process

          1. Download the verification form:
             • FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)
             • Forms and guides in languages other than English can be found in the drawers below.
          2. To submit online, log into your account, or

          Mail or fax the completed documents to:

          PG&E CARE/FERA program
          PO BOX 29647
          Oakland, CA 94604-9647

          Verification process for high usage participants

          Who is selected for high usage post-enrollment verification?

          • Customers whose energy usage exceeds 400% of their Baseline Allowancethree times in a 12-month period.
            • The California Public Utilities Commission requires that you participate in the Program High Usage Post-Enrollment Verification process.
            • You must submit documentation within 45 days of our request to verify your income. Failing to do so may result in the loss of your discount.

            Follow these steps:
            

            1. Download a FERA high usage post-enrollment verification form:FERA High Usage Form (PDF)
               
               • Forms in languages other than English can be found in the drawers below.
            2. To submit it online, log into your account, or Mail or fax the completed documents to: PG&E CARE/FERA program
               PO BOX 29647
               Oakland, CA 94604-9647 Fax: 1-877-302-7563

            FERA post-enrollment verification request forms

            • English, FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)
            • English, Large-Print FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)
            • Español, FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)
            • 中文, FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)
            • Việt, FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF)

            FERA high usage forms

            • English, FERA Program High Usage Form (PDF)
            • English, Large Print FERA Program High Usage Form (PDF)
            • Español, FERA Program High Usage Form (PDF)
            • 中文, FERA Program High Usage Form (PDF)
            • Việt, FERA Program High Usage Form (PDF)

            Frequently asked questions

            Post-enrollment verification

            Why am I being asked to provide verification to participate in the FERA program?

            While no proof of income is required to sign up for the FERA program, you may be selected at any time to provide verification of your household income. This proof is required to continue receiving a discount.

            I received a letter requesting that I mail in proof of income. What do I need to do?

            Follow the instructions on the letter you received. Submit your completed documentation using one of these methods:

            • Log into your account to upload documents
            • Use the postage-paid envelope provided and send to:
              PG&E
              FERA program
              P.O. Box 29647
              Oakland, CA 94604-9647
            • Fax to 1-877-302-7563

            See the Required Document Instructions on the second page of the CARE Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF) for the list of acceptable forms of income verification.

            Follow the instructions on the letter you received. Submit your completed documentation using one of these methods:

            • Log into your account to upload documents
            • Use the postage-paid envelope provided and send to:
              PG&E
              FERA Program
              P.O. Box 29647
              Oakland, CA 94604-9647
            • Fax to 1-877-302-7563

            See the Required Document Instructions on the second page of the CARE Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF) for the list of acceptable forms of income verification.

            What can I send as proof of income?

            Please review the second page of the CARE Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF) for examples of acceptable documents. All household members who receive income are required to submit proof of income documents.

            Does everyone in my household need to respond?

            All household members earning income must provide income documents.

            See the second page of the CARE Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF) for a list of acceptable forms of income verification.

            What happens to my FERA discount while PGE is waiting for my income verification document?

            Your discount will remain active 45 days from the date of the letter you received requesting income verification. If we determine that you are ineligible, your discount will then be suspended. Your discount may also be suspended if:

            • You submit incomplete verification documentation
            • You request to cancel or unenroll from the FERA program, or
            • We receive your documents after the due date

            Can I request an extension to return the required income verification?

            There is no extension or exception to the 45-day response time. Completed required documents should be returned as soon as possible.

            I received a letter indicating I was missing information or documentation and I must submit that information to continue in the FERA program. What do I need to do?

            Review the letter for the specific type of documentation needed.

            Submit your completed documentation using one of these methods:

            • Log into your account to upload the documents
            • Use the postage-paid envelope provided and send to:
              PG&E
              FERA Program
              P.O. Box 29647
              Oakland, CA 94604-9647
            • Fax to 1-877-302-7563

            If you have questions, email us at CAREandFERA@pge.com or call 1-866-743-5832.

            My deadline is coming up. I want to make sure I get my proof of income submitted. How much time do I have before the discount is removed?

            If your documents are not received by the date specified in the verification request, your discount will be removed following your next billing cycle. Your electricity charges may increase as a result.

            My FERA discount was removed because I missed the verification deadline. Can I reapply?

            Yes. To re-enroll in the CARE or FERA program, submit your completed documentation using one of these methods:

            • Log into your account to upload the documents
            • Use the postage-paid envelope provided and send to:
              PG&E
              FERA Program
              P.O. Box 29647
              Oakland, CA 94604-9647
            • Fax to 1-877-302-7563

            Why was I removed from the FERA program?

            Customers can be removed from the program for the following reasons:

            1. Your household income exceeded the income guidelines.
            2. You were asked to provide proof of income and either didn’t respond in time or responded with incomplete paperwork.
            3. Your monthly energy usage exceeded 600 percent of your monthly baseline allowance.

            High usage customers

            What if I lose or misplace my FERA program high-usage form?

            Review instructions and information for the verification process for High Usage participants. Download another FERA Program High Usage Form.

            What is a Baseline Allowance?

            All residential customers are given a Tier 1 allowance—a California Public Utilities Commission-approved percentage of average customer usage during summer and winter months. Your Tier 1 allowance provides for basic needs at an affordable price and encourages conservation. Your allowance is assigned based on the climate in the area in which you live (baseline territory), the season, and your heat source. Learn more about your Baseline Allowance.