Utilities Response to COVID-19

Have you been financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic?

The City of Santa Clara recognizes the financial burden the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has had on our residents. The City of Santa Clara and Silicon Valley Power is offering ways to help.

Financial Programs & Incentives

California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit The California Arrearage Payment Program, or CAPP, is a state program to help pay customers’ eligible past due energy utility bills that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. CAPP reduces qualified customers’ unpaid energy bills by directly applying a credit to their utility bill. Customers do not need to apply for CAPP and assistance will be disbursed by state utility companies electing to participate in CAPP. CAPP bill credits are a courtesy of the State of California and are targeted to help utility customers that fell behind on their energy bills because of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers may qualify for a CAPP credit if they had an unpaid energy utility bill over 60 days past due incurred between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021. Learn more about the California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit. Long-term rate assistance program Silicon Valley Power offers assistance to qualified residents who need help paying their electric bill due to financial or medical hardship. The Rate Assistance Program provides a 25% discount off the electric portion of the municipal utility bill for customers who meet low-income requirements or have certain medical conditions requiring an electric device for treatment. Apply for a long-term 25% discount. For questions, contact 408-244-SAVE (7283) or cutcosts@SiliconValleyPower.com
Payment arrangements Utility customers financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic can make payment arrangements by contacting: Santa Clara Municipal Services (408) 615-2300 or utilitybilling@santaclaraca.gov
Bill payment options Customers who currently use one of our local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are asked to please use one of our other payment options such as: Pay online; Pay by phone, 408-615-2300 Pay with your credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) over the phone anytime day or night, or; Pay By mail - Pay with a check or money order made out to the City of Santa Clara. Mail your payment to: Municipal Utilities Mailing Address City of Santa Clara Municipal Utilities P.O. BOX 49067 San Jose, CA 95161-9067
Help your neighbor with utility bills program Santa Clara residents can help their neighbors who are struggling to pay their utility bills through the Help Your Neighbor program. The program allows the public to donate funds that will help their neighbors pay their utility bills. Ways to donate: You can donate by check, cash or credit card. Pay online with a credit card at SantaClaraCA.gov/NeighborDonations Donate by cash/check at the City Hall Drive-Thru window, 1500 Warburton Ave. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mail a check to the City of Santa Clara, and write “Help Your Neighbor Program” in the memo line. City of Santa Clara Attention: Finance Department/Help Your Neighbor Program 1500 Warburton Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95050 The City will use the donated funds to help residents who are having difficulty paying their utility bills during the pandemic.

California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit

The California Arrearage Payment Program, or CAPP, is a state program to help pay customers’ eligible past due energy utility bills that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. CAPP reduces qualified customers’ unpaid energy bills by directly applying a credit to their utility bill. Customers do not need to apply for CAPP and assistance will be disbursed by state utility companies electing to participate in CAPP.

CAPP bill credits are a courtesy of the State of California and are targeted to help utility customers that fell behind on their energy bills because of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers may qualify for a CAPP credit if they had an unpaid energy utility bill over 60 days past due incurred between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021.

Learn more about the California Arrearage Payment Program Bill Credit.

Long-term rate assistance program

Silicon Valley Power offers assistance to qualified residents who need help paying their electric bill due to financial or medical hardship. The Rate Assistance Program provides a 25% discount off the electric portion of the municipal utility bill for customers who meet low-income requirements or have certain medical conditions requiring an electric device for treatment.

Apply for a long-term 25% discount.

For questions, contact
408-244-SAVE (7283) or cutcosts@SiliconValleyPower.com

Payment arrangements

Utility customers financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic can make payment arrangements by contacting:

Santa Clara Municipal Services
(408) 615-2300 or utilitybilling@santaclaraca.gov

Bill payment options

Customers who currently use one of our local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are asked to please use one of our other payment options such as:

Pay online;
Pay by phone, 408-615-2300
Pay with your credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) over the phone anytime day or night, or;
Pay By mail - Pay with a check or money order made out to the City of Santa Clara.
- Mail your payment to:
  Municipal Utilities Mailing Address
  City of Santa Clara Municipal Utilities
  P.O. BOX 49067
  San Jose, CA 95161-9067

Help your neighbor with utility bills program

Santa Clara residents can help their neighbors who are struggling to pay their utility bills through the Help Your Neighbor program. The program allows the public to donate funds that will help their neighbors pay their utility bills.

Ways to donate:

You can donate by check, cash or credit card.
Pay online with a credit card at SantaClaraCA.gov/NeighborDonations
Donate by cash/check at the City Hall Drive-Thru window, 1500 Warburton Ave. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mail a check to the City of Santa Clara, and write “Help Your Neighbor Program” in the memo line.
- City of Santa Clara
  Attention: Finance Department/Help Your Neighbor Program
  1500 Warburton Avenue
  Santa Clara, CA 95050

The City will use the donated funds to help residents who are having difficulty paying their utility bills during the pandemic.

No water and power shutoffs

The City has suspended all water and power shutoffs due to nonpayment during the public health emergency. This applies to both residential and commercial.

Energy savings tips

With more people remaining at home for extended periods of time, households may see an increase in energy use, causing higher electric bills. Find out ways you can save money on your electric bill.

Employee Safety

See what safety protocols have been put in place for our field staff.

Safety polices and procedures for employees

To keep our employees safe, new policies and procedures have been put in place so they remain safe while delivering on SVP's commitment to service.

Employees in customer-facing roles or those that require a presence on-site have been asked to take appropriate preventive measures. This includes stocking up on hand sanitizer, disinfecting spray and wipes and providing masks to all employees. Silicon Valley Power has increased cleaning and sanitizing of all work locations with an added focus on locations in high traffic areas. To mitigate the exposure of COVID-19 to all employees and the public, employees must complete a self-screening prior to entering the workplace.

The following safety measures have been implemented: