Customer Assistance Program - Hetch Hetchy Power
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The SFPUC’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) offers a 30% discount on Hetch Hetchy Power bills to eligible customers.
If you are a person living on a low income and you pay a SFPUC Hetch Hetchy Power bill, you may be eligible to receive this discount. Applying is quick and easy!
Application for Hetch Hetchy Power CAP
Join the SFPUC and community organizations for an upcoming Hetch Hetchy Power CAP Community Workshop. Ask questions about Hetch Hetchy Power CAP and get help completing your application.
Wednesday, September 23: 12 PM — 6 PM
Bayview Hunters Point YMCA, Gymnasium
1601 Lane Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
Thursday, October 22: 10 AM — 2 PM
Southeast Community Center, Alex Pitcher Pavilion
1550 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
Saturday, December 5: 10 AM — 2 PM
Mission Neighborhood Center
362 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
What you should bring to the event
Bring a printed copy of your Hetch Hetchy Power bill to the event with your electricity account number.
Check your latest bill and make sure you’re not already enrolled in CAP. If your rate is R-2 or R-2E, then you are enrolled in CAP. There will be language support for Spanish and Cantonese at each event. Free printing is available at San Francisco Public Libraries.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You have only one Hetch Hetchy Power service account with the SFPUC.
- Your Hetch Hetchy Power bill is in your name.
- You are a full-time resident at the address where the discount will be received.
- You are not claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
- Your total combined household gross income does not exceed the CAP Income Guidelines below
Your household’s total combined income should be less than or equal to the amount shown in the table:
| Number of Persons in Household | Annual Household Income | Monthly Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920.00 | $2,660.00 |
| 2 | $43,280.00 | $3,606.67 |
| 3 | $54,640.00 | $4,553.33 |
| 4 | $66,000.00 | $5,500.00 |
| Add for Each Additional Person | $11,360.00 | $946.67 |
| 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines (updated annually in January) | ||
Ways to Apply
- Apply online
- Print out and mail an application below
- Call 415-551-4720, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (except holidays) to request a printed paper application be mailed to you.
- Apply in person at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, 1st Floor, at the Customer Service Counter
SFPUC will notify customers of their approval or denial for the program once the application has been processed, which may take a few weeks after submission.
You are not required to submit income documentation at the time you apply. However, the SFPUC will conduct regular audits where you must be able to submit supporting documentation if/when your account is audited. Applicants must confirm under penalty of perjury that they meet the eligibility requirements and agree to notify the SFPUC immediately if their eligibility status changes.
Discount Information
Starting April 1, 2022, eligible customers will receive discounts beginning on the first full billing cycle after their application is approved. Discounts will be applied to each bill for 36 months at which point the customer will be asked to confirm they are still eligible to continue receiving discounts, or until the customer leaves the program, either by a self-reported change in income or if they are found to be ineligible by audit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible?
Households which meet all of the following requirements are eligible for the Hetch Hetchy Power Customer Assistance Program (CAP):- You have only one Hetch Hetchy Power service account with the SFPUC.
- Your Hetch Hetchy Power bill is in your name.
- You are a full-time resident at the address where the discount will be received.
- You are not claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
- Your total combined household gross income does not exceed the CAP Income Guidelines below.
Households with a combined annual pre-tax income less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for discounts. Refer to the table below if your household qualifies.
Number of Persons in Household Annual Household Income Monthly Household Income 1 $31,920.00 $2,660.00 2 $43,280.00 $3,606.67 3 $54,640.00 $4,553.33 4 $66,000.00 $5,500.00 Add for Each Additional Person $11,360.00 $946.67 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines (updated annually in January) What is considered household income?
Household income is defined as the combined gross income of ALL persons who live in the household, whether taxable or non-taxable. This includes family members and non-related roommates. Gross income includes, but is not limited to the total income from: wages, salaries, pensions, unemployment benefits, disability payments, workers compensation, profit from self- employment (IRS Form 1040 Schedule C), child or spousal support, interest or dividends from savings accounts, stocks, bonds retirement accounts, rent or royalty income, cash income or gifts, scholarships, grants, or other aid used for living expenses, insurance or legal settlements, Social Security, SSI, SSP, food stamps, or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)Who is included in a household?
A household includes all individuals who reside in the same dwelling (apartment, condo, home) which is served by a single SFPUC Hetch Hetchy Power account.Do I need to submit proof of income?
No, proof of income is not required at the time of application. By enrolling in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) you are certifying that your household is eligible. The SFPUC reserves the right to request proof of income and any other relevant documentation from any enrollee. The PUC will conduct an annual review of some enrollees, which will require those selected to provide proof of income. Any household which fails to provide documentation when requested will be removed from the program and may be required to pay back discounts.How do I sign up?
Fill out an online application or print a paper application, or call Customer Service at (415) 551-4720, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (except holidays), and request a paper application be mailed to you. You can also apply in person at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, 1st Floor, Customer Services Counter.How much will I save?
Eligible customers will receive 30% off their monthly Hetch Hetchy Power bills.How long will it take for my discounts to take effect?
Applications will be processed as they are received. Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive an email or letter confirming that we’ve received your application and notifying you of your application status. Please allow up to 2-3 weeks after submittal for your application to be processed. Starting April 1, 2022, eligible customers will receive discounts beginning on the first full billing cycle after their application is approved.What happens if my income changes?
By enrolling in this program, you are responsible for notifying the SFPUC if your household becomes ineligible for the program. Please contact a Customer Services Representative at 415-551-4720, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (except holidays).I’m a tenant. Do I need my landlord’s permission to participate in the CAP discount program?
If you are the SFPUC account holder, you may enroll in this program directly and the discount will be applied to your account regardless of your status as a tenant. If you are a tenant and your landlord is the account holder and you pay for utilities via rent or other passthrough, unfortunately a discount for your household cannot be applied to your landlord’s bill.Will I ever have to re-enroll in CAP?
Yes, once you are enrolled you will be required to renew your application every 3 years. You will be sent a reminder along with an application for renewal. If you do not renew, the discount will automatically cease three years (36 months) after it begins. You will also need to re-enroll if you close your account, move, and then open a new account.It is also possible that changes to our CAP program could make you eligible for bigger discounts in the future. If so, you may need to update your information to qualify for more discounts. We will send you information in the event that more assistance becomes available!
When does the discount end?
The discount will continue to be applied to your monthly bill until one of the following occurs:- You alert the SFPUC that your household is no longer eligible;
- Your household is selected for review via the annual audit, and is found to be ineligible, or;
- You fail to re-enroll every 3 years. The discount will automatically end after 36 months if you do not re-enroll.
Are there other savings or relief programs offered by the SFPUC?
Yes. More information about water, power, and sewer discounts is available at sfpuc.gov/BillRelief. Find out about free water saving devices, rebates and resources at sfpuc.gov/savewater.Is my information secure?
Yes. Your privacy is important to us. The SFPUC will keep your information confidential and use it only to determine eligibility for the program.What types of accounts are not eligible for CAP discounts?
Any account which is not an individually metered residential account is ineligible for CAP discounts. Examples of accounts that are not eligible for CAP include irrigation, commercial, and wholesale accounts.How do I know if I am currently enrolled?
Look at your rate schedule on your Hetch Hetchy Power bill, which is under the Summary of Charges section. If your rate schedule is R-2 or R-2E, then you are enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program. You will also see “CAP discount applied” in the bill messaging section on the left-hand side of your bill.
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Print Application for Customer Assistance Program for Hetch Hetchy Power
Check back for print applications or apply online.
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