Find Assistance Programs For You In Santa Clara County
Using our Check Benefits Eligibility tool, you can check your eligibility for the 22 programs listed below. For more information about each program, visit the links below or contact the program provider directly.
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Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA)
ADSA provides certain people who use a guide, signal, or service dog with a monthly payment to help with their disability-related needs.
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CalFresh
CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to certain low-income individuals and families.
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California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
CARE provides a discount on electricity and natural gas bills for certain low-income individuals and families.
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California LifeLine
Lifeline provides a discount on home phone and cell phone bills for certain low-income households. In some situations, the program will cover the full cost of phone bills and provide a new phone for free.
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California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
CalWORKs provides cash aid and services to certain low-income families with children in the home.
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Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
CAPI provides monthly cash benefits to certain elderly, blind, or disabled legal immigrants.
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Clipper START
Clipper START provides discounted single ride transit fares for qualifying individuals. Applicable services include VTA, Caltrain, BART, and many more.
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Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)
FERA provides a discount on electricity bills for certain low-income families.
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General Assistance (GA)
GA provides cash assistance and employment services to certain low-income individuals with no dependent children.
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Homelessness Prevention System
The Homelessness Prevention System provides services to certain individuals and families at risk of homelessness, including financial assistance, legal services, and case management.
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Housing Choice & Property Voucher Interest Lists
The Housing Choice Voucher and Property Voucher programs help certain low-income individuals and families pay for rental housing. This was previously known as the "Section 8 Program." Eligible individuals will be added to a Housing Choice Voucher interest list and then optionally to a Property Voucher list to await random selection into a separate voucher waiting list when it reopens.
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Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
HUD-VASH provides housing vouchers and supportive services to certain homeless veterans and their families.
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In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
IHSS provides in-home personal assistance to certain low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or elderly so they can continue to live at home safely.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP provides one-time assistance with paying energy bills, home weatherization, and energy-related home repairs to certain low-income households.
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No-Fee ID Card
Unhoused or elderly individuals may get an identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles without having to pay the usual fee.
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Reduced Fee ID Card
Low-income individuals may get a discount on the fee for an identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is a federal program that provides a monthly cash benefit to certain disabled individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes in the past.
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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a health and nutrition family for mothers and their children that provides education, support, and benefits to buy healthy foods.
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal program that provides a monthly cash benefit to certain low-income individuals who are disabled, blind, or elderly.
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VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation provides a monthly payment to certain injured or disabled veterans.
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VA Pension
VA Pension is a program that provides ongoing cash payments for eligible veterans.
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VTA ACCESS Paratransit
VTA ACCESS Paratransit provides door-to-door transportation service as well as free VTA bus and light rail transit passes for certain disabled individuals.
The United Effort Organization does not administer or provide any of these programs, though we can help you navigate the application process.
If you have any questions about these programs, you can email help@theunitedeffort.org or get in touch with the program provider directly.