Low-income California residents may qualify for a discount on their monthly electric bill through California Alternative Rates for Energy (C.A.R.E.) 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 Sierra Pacific Power or through a sub-meter such as in a mobile home park or an apartment complex.

Who Qualifies for the Discount?

If your household qualifies for the discounted CARE rate on your gas bill or for Universal Lifeline Telephone Service, you might qualify for a discount on your electric bill under Sierra Pacific Power's California Alternative Rates for Energy.

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

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 Sierra Pacific Power Company at 1-866-675-6627 and request an application and instructions or print them now.  To submit your C.A.R.E. application please mail it to: Sierra Pacific Power Company, C.A.R.E. Program S1A15, P.O. Box 10100, Reno, NV 89520.

Remember

Only qualified customers may sign up for 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.

Sierra Pacific Power Company will verify and certify all applicants' eligibility for the low-income rate. Sierra Pacific Power Company 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 Sierra Pacific Power Company at 1-866-675-6627. The following company gives eligible low-income customers a discount on their gas charges:

Southwest Gas Corp.: 1-800-832-2555