IMPORTANT
1-877-660-6789
1-877-660-6789

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)

Households of three or more can save on their electricity bill

Are you looking for the FERA enrollment or renewal form?

Apply or renew

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.

 

Are you looking for information about how to submit income documentation for FERA? Learn how.

 

Are you looking for the FERA post-enrollment verification request form? View a list of post-enrollment verification forms.

 

important notice icon Note: FERA and CARE 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

To qualify for FERA:

  • The PG&E bill must be in your name.
    • If you're a sub-metered tenant, you must have the landlord’s energy bill in your name.
  • You must live at the address to which the discount applies.
  • Another person (besides your spouse) can’t claim you as a dependent on an income tax return.
  • You must account for all sources of qualifying household income.
  • You must notify PG&E if your household no longer qualifies for the FERA discount.
  • You must meet the program income guidelines.
  • After you enroll, you may need to provide proof of qualifying household income.
    • A household must include three or more people.

 

Income guidelines

Your eligibility is based on your household income. To calculate 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. 

important notice icon Note: 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:

  • 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

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

Enrollment

New enrollment

 

important notice icon Note: Are you a sub-metered tenant? View  information about how to enroll in, renew and cancel FERA. 

 

If your household meets the eligibility requirements, the online form takes only a few minutes to fill out.

  • No additional documentation is needed at the time of application.
  • Your answers are confidential.

Apply for FERA online

 

Online applications in English, Spanish and Chinese:

Mail-in applications in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese:

Large-print, mail-in applications in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese:

    How do I submit a FERA application?

    First, complete and sign the application. Next, submit your application using one of the following ways:

    PG&E CARE/FERA program
    P.O. Box 29647
    Oakland, CA 94604-9647

     

    Fax: 1-877-302-7563

    Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

     

    Write "FERA application" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your application to the email.

    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. Here's how it works:

    • PG&E sends a renewal application three months before your discount expires.
    • If you still qualify under the current program guidelines, you reapply for FERA.
      • Use the same enrollment methods as previously described. 

    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.

    Renew your FERA enrollment

     

    Access the form in Spanish: Programas FERA - Inscripción/Re-inscripción

    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.

     

    Enrollment for sub-metered tenants

    Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities can apply for a monthly discount on their energy bill through FERA. 

    • To qualify, the energy bill from your landlord must be in your name. Standard eligibility requirements apply.

    However, tenants of sub-metered residential facilities CANNOT use the CARE/FERA online application. To apply for FERA, you must download and print and application.

     

    How do I download a FERA application for sub-metered tenants?

    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.

      How do I submit a FERA application for sub-metered tenants?

      First, complete and sign the application. Next, submit your application using one of the following ways:

      PG&E CARE/FERA program
      P.O. Box 29647
      Oakland, CA 94604-9647

       

      Fax: 1-877-302-7563

      Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

       

      Write "Sub-metered tenant application" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your application to the email.

      Renew enrollment for sub-metered tenants

      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. Here's how it works:

      • PG&E sends a renewal application three months before your discount expires.
      • If you still qualify under the current program guidelines, you reapply for FERA.
        • Use the same enrollment methods as previously described. 

      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.

       

      Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities CANNOT use the online CARE application. To apply for CARE, you must download and print an application: 

       

      Cancel enrollment for sub-metered tenants

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

       

      important notice icon Note: Check your PG&E bill to see if you're already enrolled in CARE/FERA or another program. Learn how to read your bill.

       

      Are you currently enrolled?

      Find the programs you're enrolled in and your total FERA savings on your PG&E bill:

       

      How to keep saving with FERA

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

      Post-enrollment verification

      What is post-enrollment verification?

      After enrolling in FERA, you may receive a letter from PG&E that explains your household has been randomly selected to proof of income.

       

      important notice icon Note: If we do not hear from you by the date specified in the email or letter, your discount will be removed.

       

      For a list of documents accepted for income verification, please refer to page 2 of the FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF).

      How do I download the post-enrollment verification form?
      Download the FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF). Forms and guides in languages other than English can be found below.

      How do I submit the FERA Post Enrollment Verification form and documents?
      Complete and submit your signed verification form and income documentation in one of the following ways:

      There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

       

      If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
      2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
      3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

      meter

       

      If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
      2. "Assistance Programs" -->
      3. "CARE/FERA" -->
      4. "Verify your income."

      Mail or fax the completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form to:


      PG&E CARE/FERA program
      P.O. Box 29647
      Oakland, CA 94604-9647

       

      Fax: 1-877-302-7563

      Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

       

      Write "FERA PEV" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your:

      1. Completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form
      2. FERA proof of income documents

      Verification process for high usage participants

      Who is selected for high usage post-enrollment verification? 

      Customers whose energy usage exceeds:

      Where can I download a verification form?
      Download the FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF). Forms and guides in languages other than English can be found below.

       

      How do I submit the High Usage Post-Enrollment Verification Form?

      There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

       

      If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
      2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
      3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

      meter

       

      If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
      2. "Assistance Programs" -->
      3. "CARE/FERA" -->
      4. "Verify your income."

      Mail or fax the completed, signed and dated FERA PEV Form to:


      PG&E CARE/FERA program
      P.O. Box 29647
      Oakland, CA 94604-9647

       

      Fax: 1-877-302-7563

      Email the completed application to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

       

      Write "FERA PEV" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your:

      1. Completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form
      2. FERA income eligibility documents

      FERA post-enrollment verification request forms

      FERA high usage forms

      Forms and guides

      FERA resources

      Scroll down to find the following PDF documents:

      • FERA enrollment print applications
      • FERA enrollment sub-metered tenants print applications
      • Other FERA print applications
      • Post-enrollment verification request forms
      • Post-enrollment verification forms for high usage
      • Guide to required income documentation
      • Understand your bill
      • Baseline Allowance
      • Money-saving tips

      Most forms are available in:

      • English
      • Large-print English
      • Español
      • 中文
      • Việt

       

      FERA enrollment sub-metered tenants print applications

       

      Frequently asked questions

      FERA program FAQ

      Still can't find an answer to your question? Email CAREandFERA@pge.com.

      Show all
      Hide all

      The FERA and CARE programs provide a monthly discount for income-qualified households. However, each program offers a different type of energy discount and has different eligibility guidelines:

       

      FERA offers an 18% discount on electric rates. FERA does not offer a discount on gas rates. To qualify for the FERA discount, your household must:

      CARE offers a minimum 20% discount on gas and electric rates. To qualify for the CARE discount, someone in your household must:

      • Already participate in certain public assistance programs, or
      • Meet the guidelines for total annual household income

      important notice icon Note: FERA and CARE share one application. If you do not qualify for FERA, we will check to see if you qualify for CARE.

      • The discount is applied for two years. If you are on a fixed income, the discount is applied for four years.
      • About three months before the discount expires, PG&E sends a letter and an application. If you still qualify under the current program guidelines at that time, you can reapply.

      Proof of income is not required during the application process. However, we may randomly select you to provide income proof at a later date.

      The discount will appear on the next bill you receive.

      • The phrase "FERA Discount" appears on the first page of your bill, under the "Your Enrolled Programs" heading.
      • The FERA Discount is also listed on the "Details of Electric Charges" section of your bill.

      No. Each family must have a separate meter to receive the FERA discount.

      There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

       

      If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
      2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
      3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

      meter

       

      If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:

      1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
      2. "Assistance Programs" -->
      3. "CARE/FERA" -->
      4. "Verify your income."

      If you have tried these options, but are still unable to complete the process, it is possible that you are attempting to recertify:

      • Too early—more than 60 days before your FERA enrollment expires or
      • Too late—after your enrollment expiration date

      If you are within 60 days of your enrollment expiration, and still cannot recertify online, call 1-800-660-6789 to resolve the issue.

       

      Find more information on how to renew FERA online. 


      Review the letter. Once you have identified and completed the missing information or documents, use one of the following ways to submit them:


      Submit your documents online

      There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

      • If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
        1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
        2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
        3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

        meter

         

      • If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
        1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
        2. "Assistance Programs" -->
        3. "CARE/FERA" -->
        4. "Verify your income."

      Submit documents by mail or fax

      • Mail or fax the completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form and eligibility documents to:
        PG&E CARE/FERA program
        P.O. Box 29647
        Oakland, CA 94604-9647

        Fax: 1-877-302-7563

      Submit your documents by email

      • Email the completed documents to CAREandFERA@pge.com. Write "FERA PEV" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your:
        1. Completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form
        2. FERA eligibility documents

      Do you still have questions? Email CAREandFERA@pge.com or call 1-866-743-5832.

      • We encourage you to reapply whenever your income situation changes.
      • Proof of income is required if you reapply within 24 months of being denied FERA benefits. 

      important notice icon Note: The income guidelines change each year in June. 

      No. You may only participate in one of the two programs at any given time. You can apply for FERA when your income meets the FERA income guidelines.

      Call the FERA program at 1-877-660-6789 or send an email to CAREandFERA@pge.com.

      Your eligibility is based on your household income. To calculate 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. 

      Use only current and expected income for the next 12 months.

      • Your annual income calculation should not include income earned from prior employment.
        • If you and/or other members of your household have experienced job loss or decreased wages, you may now qualify.

      Are you receiving UI?

      Are you receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits at the time of application? You can use your EDD award letter to calculate income based on how many weeks you are scheduled to receive payment.

      Post-enrollment verification FAQ

      Show all
      Hide all

      No proof of income is required to sign up for FERA. However, after you enroll, you may be asked to provide verification of your household income.

       

      This proof is required to continue receiving a discount.

      Follow the letter’s instructions. Log into your account to upload your documents or mail/fax them to:

      PG&E CARE/FERA program
      P.O. Box 29647
      Oakland, CA 94604-9647


      Fax: 1-877-302-7563

       

      important notice icon Note: Review the second page of the FERA Post-Enrollment Verification Request Form (PDF) for examples of acceptable documents.

      Review the second page of the FERA 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.

      Your FERA discount will remain active 45 days from the date of the letter you received. 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
      • Request to cancel or unenroll from FERA
      • Submit your documents after the due date

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

      We call 15 days after the verification request is sent. This call is a reminder that you must provide income verification documents to remain enrolled in FERA.

      Review the letter. Once you have identified and completed the missing information or documents, submit them in one of the following ways:

       

      Submit your documents online

      There are two ways to submit your post-enrollment verification form online. Sign into your account:

      • If you see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
        1. Select "Show More" to open additional alerts.
        2. Find PG&E's request to submit income verification documents.
        3. Select the link and follow the steps to complete your income verification.

        meter

         

      • If you do not see a red "alerts banner" at the top of your screen:
        1. Go to “Payment Options" -->
        2. "Assistance Programs" -->
        3. "CARE/FERA" -->
        4. "Verify your income."

      Submit documents by mail or fax

      • Mail or fax the completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form and eligibility documents to:
        PG&E CARE/FERA program
        P.O. Box 29647
        Oakland, CA 94604-9647

        Fax: 1-877-302-7563

      Submit your documents by email

      • Email the completed documents to CAREandFERA@pge.com. Write "FERA PEV" in the email's subject line. Remember to attach your:
        1. Completed, signed and dated FERA PEV form
        2. FERA eligibility documents

      Do you still have questions? Email CAREandFERA@pge.com or call 1-866-743-5832.

      If you miss the deadline, your FERA discount will be removed after your next billing cycle. Your energy charges may increase as a result.

      Yes. Submit your documentation to re-enroll as soon as possible.

      Customers can be removed from FERA for the following reasons:

      • Your household income exceeded the income guidelines.
      • You were asked to provide proof of income and either:
        • Didn't respond in time or
        • Responded with incomplete paperwork
      • Your monthly energy usage exceeded 600% of your monthly Baseline Allowance.

      High usage customers FAQ

      Show all
      Hide all

      All residential customers are given a Tier 1 allowance. This is 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
      • Encourages conservation
      • Is assigned based on:
        • The climate in the area in which you live (baseline territory)
        • The season
        • Your heat source.

       

      Learn more about your Baseline Allowance.

      Questions?

      Email CAREandFERA@pge.com.

      Energy Savings Assistance

      • Are you enrolled in FERA?
      • Do you own or rent a house, apartment or mobile home that is five years or older?

      You may qualify for the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program.

      Learn about the ESA program

      More resources and support

      Additional discounts

      Find information about discounts on phone and internet services.

      Find additional discounts

      Take the Home Energy Checkup

      • Take the 5-minute Home Energy Checkup.
      • Identify sources of wasted energy in your household.
      • Get a custom savings plan to lower monthly bills.
      Take the Home Energy Checkup

      Budget Billing

      Budget Billing is a free tool that averages your annual energy costs to help you manage your bills.

      • Level out monthly payments.
      • Offset high seasonal bills.
      Sign up for Budget Billing