How to Sign Up for SoCalGas CARE and FERA Discounts If You Live in Los Angeles County
How much is the SoCalGas CARE discount in Los Angeles County?
The CARE discount through SoCalGas has generally been around 20 percent off natural gas charges for eligible households, but the California Public Utilities Commission sets and adjusts that percentage periodically. For the current discount rate and to confirm eligibility, check SoCalGas directly at socalgas.com, as figures in news articles can go out of date quickly.
Who qualifies for CARE or FERA on a SoCalGas bill in Los Angeles County?
CARE is for households at or below the income threshold set by the California Public Utilities Commission, which updates guidelines periodically based on household size. FERA serves larger households, typically three or more people, whose income falls just above the CARE limit. Participation in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, or the National School Lunch Program's free-meal tier can also qualify a household automatically for CARE.
Can renters in Los Angeles County apply for the SoCalGas CARE discount?
Yes. Renters in Los Angeles County who have a SoCalGas account in their own name can apply for the CARE or FERA discount directly. The discount attaches to the account holder, not the property. Renters whose gas is included in rent paid to a landlord generally cannot access the discount individually, since the account is in the landlord's name.
How do I apply for LIHEAP energy assistance in Los Angeles County?
In Los Angeles County, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is administered through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. LIHEAP provides direct bill payments for income-eligible households but runs in funding cycles and can close enrollment when funds run out. Check current availability and apply at dpss.lacounty.gov or by contacting a DPSS office.
What is the difference between CARE and FERA for natural gas bills?
CARE targets lower-income households and provides a larger discount on monthly gas charges. FERA is designed for households, generally with three or more members, whose income is too high for CARE but still modest. The two programs have different income bands, so a household denied for CARE should check whether it qualifies for FERA. Both are mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission and administered through utilities like SoCalGas.
Utility bills in Los Angeles County have climbed sharply over the past few years, and two state-mandated assistance programs run through Southern California Gas Company can cut monthly natural gas costs by a meaningful amount for income-eligible households. Many residents who qualify never apply simply because they don't know the programs exist or assume the process is complicated. It isn't.
Related: How to Sign Up for Los Angeles County Emergency Alerts Before the Next Disaster · How to Sign Up for California's CARE and FERA Utility Discount Programs
What CARE and FERA Actually Are
CARE stands for California Alternate Rates for Energy. It's a discount program administered by investor-owned utilities, including SoCalGas, under mandate from the California Public Utilities Commission. Eligible households receive a percentage discount on their monthly gas bill. As of 2026, the CARE discount through SoCalGas has generally been in the range of 20 percent on gas charges, though the CPUC sets and adjusts that figure periodically, so the current rate should be confirmed directly with SoCalGas or the CPUC.
FERA stands for Family Electric Rate Assistance, but SoCalGas also offers a companion gas discount for households that are income-eligible but fall just above the CARE threshold. FERA is designed for larger households, generally those with three or more people, whose income is too high for CARE but still modest enough to qualify for some relief. The two programs serve different income bands, so a household that doesn't qualify for CARE may still qualify for FERA.
Both programs are funded through a surcharge on all utility customers' bills, not from the state general fund, so they don't depend on annual budget appropriations in the same way some other assistance programs do.
Who Qualifies in Los Angeles County
Eligibility is based on household size and gross annual income, using guidelines set by the CPUC that are updated periodically. As a general rule, CARE targets households at or below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level, while FERA targets a band slightly above that. SoCalGas's current income guidelines are posted at socalgas.com and reflect the most up-to-date thresholds, which is the right place to check rather than relying on any figure cited in a news article.
Enrollment in certain other public assistance programs can also qualify a household automatically. These typically include Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), Supplemental Security Income, the National School Lunch Program's free-meal tier, and several others. If anyone in the household receives one of those benefits, the household likely qualifies for CARE without needing to document income separately.
Renters in Los Angeles County are eligible, not just homeowners. The discount applies to the account holder, so if a renter's gas service is in their own name, they can apply directly. Renters whose utilities are rolled into rent paid to a landlord generally can't access the discount individually, though landlords who meet eligibility requirements can apply for accounts they hold.
How to Apply
SoCalGas offers several ways to apply. Online enrollment is available through the SoCalGas website at socalgas.com, where applicants fill out a form with household size, income information, and account details. Applications can also be submitted by phone through SoCalGas customer service. For residents who prefer paper, a mail-in application is an option as well.
The process itself is straightforward. Applicants provide their SoCalGas account number, the number of people in the household, and either proof of participation in a qualifying assistance program or an attestation of income. SoCalGas doesn't typically require applicants to submit income documentation upfront for CARE, though the utility does conduct periodic verification checks. Providing false information to obtain the discount is a violation of program rules.
Once approved, the discount appears on the next billing cycle or shortly after, depending on where the application falls in the billing period. Approval decisions are generally quick. Enrollment isn't permanent in perpetuity, however. SoCalGas recertifies customers periodically, and households will receive a notice when recertification is required. Missing a recertification notice can result in removal from the program, so it's worth making sure the utility has a current mailing address or email on file.
Other Bill-Relief Options Worth Knowing About in Los Angeles County
For households facing a past-due balance or a shutoff notice, SoCalGas also administers the Gas Assistance Fund, a one-time annual benefit funded through customer donations and company matching that can help cover an outstanding bill. The fund operates on a first-come, first-served basis and runs out in some years before the program period ends, so applying early matters.
See also: How to Sign Up for Los Angeles County Emergency Alerts - and What the System Actually Does · How to Sign Up for San Diego County Emergency Alerts - and Why Your Address Matters
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services administers the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which can provide a direct payment toward a utility bill for eligible households. LIHEAP funding comes in cycles and has enrollment periods, so availability varies. The county's DPSS office handles intake for Los Angeles County residents. The department's website at dpss.lacounty.gov has current program status and contact information.
Separately, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which serves customers in the city of Los Angeles rather than the county more broadly, has its own low-income rate program called LIRA. City of L.A. residents who get their electricity and water through LADWP should look at that program in addition to, or instead of, the SoCalGas programs, depending on their service territory. The service territories don't always follow the lines people expect, so the first step is confirming which utility serves a given address.
How to Check Your Service Territory and Account Status
Not every part of Los Angeles County is served by SoCalGas for natural gas. Some areas are served by Southern California Edison for electricity but by different providers for gas, and some residents are on propane rather than a utility gas line entirely. The quickest way to confirm your provider is to look at your utility bill or call the customer service number on it.
For residents who already applied for CARE years ago and haven't thought about it since: it's worth logging into or calling SoCalGas to confirm the discount is still active on the account. Program databases get updated, accounts change when people move, and there are cases where a discount fell off during a move or account transfer without the customer noticing.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Income guidelines, discount percentages, and program availability change, and the figures described here may not reflect the current program year. Verify current eligibility rules, income thresholds, and enrollment steps directly with SoCalGas at socalgas.com, the California Public Utilities Commission at cpuc.ca.gov, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services at dpss.lacounty.gov.