Get Help With Living Costs

The Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) of Silicon Valley provides a variety of services to assist Silicon Valley residents that need help preventing homelessness, utility disconnections, and hunger. The EAN Network can provide: one-­time rent and mortgage payment assistance; help with move­-in costs including rental deposits; one­-time utility assistance; and on­-site information and referrals to eligible programs including Medi-Cal, CalFresh (Food Stamps), and local food pantries. Other services may include food distributions, job training, employment assistance, low­ income utility programs, after school care, backpacks and school supplies, housing search assistance, and temporary shelter services. Click here to view a flyer to find contact information for a local provider based on your primary Zip Code and get more information.

The State of California has numerous programs through BenefitsCal website, including CalFresh (Food), Medi-Cal (Healthcare), CalWorks (Cash Aid). See available State of California programs and apply on the BenefitsCal website (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).

Santa Clara County Social Services Agency provides local in-person help applying for public benefit programs Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM except for County holidays, at the following locations:

• Benefits Assistance Center – 1867 Senter Road, San Jose CA 95112
• General Assistance Services – 1919 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
• North County Office – 1330 W. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, CA 94043
• South County Office – 379 Tomkins Court, Gilroy, CA 95020

You can also reach Santa Clara County Social Services Agency via phone at: (408) 758-3800. You can also view the Santa Clara County Community Resource Guide compiled by the Social Services Agency.

If you are a veteran of the United States armed forces, or a dependent or survivor of a veteran, and you need assistance, reach out to the Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services for assistance or call them at: (408) 918-4980.

As someone that has lived through not knowing when I would get my next meal in the past, no one should be without food. Community partners across the district are stepping up to provide free groceries and hot meals. Whether you need a one-time bag of food or ongoing support, local food banks can help bridge the gap.

LOCAL FOOD BANK

Santa Clara County residents are served by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank which has hundreds of local sites to pick-up free food items and meals. Get more details on where, when and how you can get the food you need at: shfb.org/get-food

Obtenga la comida y la nutrición que necesita: tinyurl.com/comida-shfb

Nhận thức ăn và dinh dưỡng bạn cần: tinyurl.com/doan-shfb

获得所需的食物和营养: tinyurl.com/shewu

필요한 음식과 영양분을 섭취하세요: tinyurl.com/bap-shfb

Kunin ang pagkain at nutrisyon na kailangan mo: tinyurl.com/pagkain-shfb

CALFRESH (FOOD AID)

The State of California has the CalFresh program, supported by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and commonly referred to as food stamps, to help people get access to food. Learn more and apply to CalFresh (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).

FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

If you are 60 or older and live in the County of Santa Clara, you can enjoy a healthy meal at over 35 locations or qualify for home delivered meals through the Senior Nutrition Program.

Santa Clara County has programs to assist residents facing housing insecurity and homelessness.

The quickest way to get help with housing in Santa Clara County is through the Here4You Hotline by calling (408) 385-2400 daily between 9 AM and 7 PM. They will provide you with help if you are facing homelessness, need emergency shelter including warming/cooling centers, or refer you to housing assistance programs as well as other eligible resources.

AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING

If you are at risk of losing your existing housing and need help maintaining it, the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文) provides assistance including temporary financial assistance, legal support, and other resources. Visit their website, call (408) 516-5100 or email info@preventhomelessness.org to get help. This flyer and this County website contain detailed information including eligibility.

HOMELESSNESS

If you are experiencing homelessness right now, Santa Clara County has a coordinated assessment process to help match you to permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing programs, shelters and transitional housing programs. Get details about the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing or call them at (408) 278-6400.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING/FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER PROGRAMS

Santa Clara County has affordable housing programs including to support homeownership for lower income households. The California Housing Finance Agency also operates programs to support homeownership including loan programs and first-time homeowner downpayment assistance programs including the Dream for All Appreciation Loan program.

CASH ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES

The State of California's CalWorks program (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी) provides cash to pay for rent, housing, food, clothing, medical payments, and utilities for families with at least one child in the home.

CASH ASSISTANCE FOR SINGLE ADULTS - TRAFFICKING AND CRIME VICTIMS - REFUGEES

There are other cash aid programs that you may qualify for, like: General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR) for single adults; Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP); or the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program. These programs are administered by the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency. Get information and apply here (Español; Tiếng Việt).

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

If you recently became unemployed or your work hours were reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits which are administered by the State of California's Employment Development Department (EDD).

Unemployment benefits are temporary income for eligible workers who lost their job (or had hours reduced) through no fault of their own. You get from $40 to $450 each week, depending on how much you earned in the past 18 months. Learn more unemployment benefits and apply here (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).

There are programs to help with transportation needs for eligible residents, including a low-cost auto insurance program, as well as discounted public transportation.

California's Low Cost Auto Insurance

California's Low Cost Auto Insurance program (Español) provides eligible Californians with basic and affordable auto insurance. Eligible Santa Clara County residents may be able to get this auto insurance for under $35 per month (as of 2025).

Public Transportation Discounts

Public transit riders aged 19-64 with qualifying income can apply to the Clipper START program to receive 50% off single-ride bus, BART, rail and ferry transit fares. See details and apply online the Clipper START program (Español; 中文; Tagalog).

Youth, Seniors, or Riders with Disabilities - Public transit riders aged 5-18 or 65 and over can apply for a Youth or Senior Clipper card to receive reduced fares and access to discounted passes. Riders under age 65 with qualifying disabilities can apply for a Regional Transportation Connection (RTC) Clipper card. Get more details about these youth, senior, and disability public transportation discount programs and apply here (Español; 中文).

Many utilities have discount programs that help reduce costs for individuals with disabilities or who are low-income. If your utility is not listed below, ask a representative with your utility what programs they may offer that you could be eligible for.

Electric Utilities

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)

PG&E's California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs offers long-term monthly discounts on energy bills for eligible households. PG&E has the Medical Baseline Program to provide discounted service for residential customers who depend on power for certain medical needs. Additionally, PG&E has programs to help customers who need more time to pay, are past-due, receive a disconnection notice, were disconnected, or owe debt to PG&E. Learn more about PG&E financial assistance programs and apply here (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).

Silicon Valley Power (City of Santa Clara residents)

Silicon Valley Power has a Rate Assistance Program (RAP) which provides a 25-40% discount off the electric portion for qualified Santa Clara City residents. Qualifying customers also receive a $10 monthly discount on City garbage collection charges and a 25% discount on City water and sewer bills. The program also offers discounts for individuals who depend on power for certain medical needs. Learn more about Silicon Valley Power's financial assistance programs and apply here.

Telecommunications Utilities

AT&T

The Access from AT&T program to provide low-cost internet service for eligible households. Click here to learn more and apply.

The AT&T Lifeline program provides discounted access to a home phone or wireless phone. Click here to learn more and apply.

Xfinity

Xfinity has the Internet Essentials program to provide eligible households low-cost internet service. Click here to learn more and apply.

Water Utilities

California Water Service

California Water Service has the Customer Assistance Program which provides a fixed monthly discount on your water service charge for eligible residential customers. Click here to learn more and apply.

San Jose Municipal Water (City of San Jose)

The City of San Jose's Municipal Water service has discounted service available for eligible low-income and/or vulnerable customers. Click here to learn more and apply.

San Jose Water Company

San Jose Water has the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) which provides a 15% discount on the total water bill for eligible low-income customers. Click here to learn more and apply.

The State of California's Medi-Cal program (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी) provides free or low-cost health care to people who qualify. It can help pay for doctor visits, hospital care, and many other physical and mental health services.

Crisis & Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

988 is the phone number for the Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This lifeline gives you free emotional support when you need help. Reaching out to 988 connects you to a trained counselor who is here for you, no matter what you are going through. If you are thinking about suicide or just feel overwhelmed, reach out to 988. Call 988, Text Message 988, or chat online at chat.988lifeline.org.

988 provides a direct connection to free, confidential, and compassionate support. Calls are anonymous and confidential – information will not be shared unless in-person assistance is needed through one of the community mobile response teams. Learn more about 988 through Santa Clara County's Behavioral Health Services website (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; Tagalog).