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Would a discount help?

 

The Rate Assistance Program (RAP) provides a 25-40% discount off the electric portion of the Municipal Utilities bill to qualified Santa Clara residents. Residents can qualify for the RAP discount by meeting either the financial or medical criteria below. See Financial Criteria.

Silicon Valley Power partners with Central Coast Energy Services to process Financial Rate Assistance Program applications.

Drowning in bills

 

When you apply for Financial RAP, qualifying electric customers will also receive a:

  • $10.00 discount on garbage collection charges
    • To qualify, homes cannot share garbage service with another home (e.g. multi-family complex shared dumpsters).
    • Customers who were previously receiving the rate assistance discount on their garbage rate and not enrolled in Financial RAP must submit an application and provide income verification.
  • 25% discount on water/sewer bills
    • Water discount is for the first 12 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of usage
    • Sewer bills will be discounted 25% of the flat residential rate

     

    Financial Criteria

    Santa Clara residents whose combined gross household income is within the limits set forth in the table below qualify for the Rate Assistance Program. Proof of income is required. The discount only applies to the first 800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of monthly energy use.

    Effective January 2023, discount rates increase as follows:

    • Income qualified customers receive a 35% discount off the first 300 kWh and a 25% discount on 301 – 800 kWh
    • Customers who meet the LIHEAP income requirements will receive a 40% discount off the first 300 kWh and a 25% discount on 301 – 800 kWh.
    • Customers in a Section 8 multifamily housing complex where no income verification is required through our program will receive the discount of 35% discount off the first 300 kWh and a 25% discount on 301 – 800 kWh

    # of People in Household
     Maximum Monthly Income Before Taxes
    Maximum ANNUAL Income Before Taxes
    1 $ 8,525 $ 102,300
    2 $ 9,742 $ 116,900
    3 $ 10,992 $ 131,900
    4 $ 12,175 $ 146,100
    5 $ 13,150 $ 157,800
    6 $ 14,125 $ 169,500
    7 $ 15,199 $ 181,200
    8 $ 16,075 $ 192,900
    * These levels are effective as of June 17, 2024. For households with more than eight members, please email us at cutcosts@siliconvalleypower.com.

    To apply for the Financial RAP discount:

    Apply online or submit the application to: 

    F.R.A.P.
    c/o Central Coast Energy Services
    P.O. Box 2707
    Watsonville, CA 95077

     For more information, contact Central Coast Energy Services at 1-888-399-2728.

    Medical Criteria
    Residents who have a medical condition and/or are disabled must provide a physician's certification documenting the patient's medical needs and requirements for an electric device for treatment. Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic people qualify. Similarly, a scleroderma patient with special heating or cooling needs qualifies, as do residents who depend on life support.

    To apply for the Medical RAP discount

    Please submit the application to: 

    City of Santa Clara
    Municipal Services Division
    1500 Warburton Avenue
    Santa Clara, CA 95050; or
    Fax: 408-260-3873

    Email: utilitybilling@santaclaraca.gov

    Download all Medical Rate Assistance files in one PDF: 
    Medical Rate Assistance Information Sheet, Application, and Doctor's Certification Form (PDF: 263k)

    Download individual Medical Rate Assistance files:
    Medical Rate Assistance Information Sheet (PDF: 87.4kk)
    Medical Rate Assistance Program Application (PDF: 131k)
    Doctor's Certification (PDF: 116k)

    The discount will not apply toward any taxes, surcharges, or other non-electric utility charges that appear on the bill. Applicants who meet both the financial and medical eligibility criteria must select which program provides the most benefit for their circumstances. The Medical Rate Assistance Program provides a 25% percent discount with no cap on the usage.

    For more information, email utilitybilling@santaclaraca.gov or call 408-615-2300. 

    California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

    The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can offer income-eligible residents of the City of Santa Clara a credit to their utility bill. For an application, or more information, please call HEAP at 1-877-278-6455button and leave a message with your mailing address, or drop by the City of Santa Clara Municipal Services office. More information on HEAP

    Previous recipients of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are encouraged to reapply if they still qualify.

    California Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

    The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides financial assistance to low-income residents of the City of Santa Clara to help manage their residential water utility costs. For an application, or more information, please call LIHWAP at 1-877-278-6455button and leave a message with your mailing address, or drop by the City of Santa Clara Municipal Services office. More information on LIHWAP

     

Last Updated:
06-17-2024