Having home internet can help you save money, look for a job, connect with others, make everyday tasks easier, and much more! This lecture goes over basic information you need to know when signing up for home internet service.

You’ll also learn about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a permanent, government program that helps qualifying low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. In some cases, depending on your internet plan, the ACP discount may help you get home internet for free!

Click here for a list of lecture dates. This lecture is given weekly, but registration is required.

Ages: 60+.

To reach the Senior Planet Tech Hotline, please call 888-713-3495.

Senior Planet from AARP’s technology hotlines are run by patient technology trainers who can help answer your tech questions.

You can also receive information about Senior Planet’s free virtual classes. We offer interactive classes on Zoom, telemedicine, online shopping, and much more.

Free.

CPS Energy’s Affordability Discount Program (ADP) helps low-income customers with a monthly discount on electricity and gas services. 

Click here to fill out ADP Customer Service Form

To qualify for this discount, your income must be at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines and you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Be 60 years old or older.
• Have a disability.
• Use life-sustaining medical equipment.
• Have pre-school aged children or school children age 18 and under.
• Have extenuating circumstances as determined by CPS Energy or the City of San Antonio.

The SaveNow Casa Verde Weatherization Program helps income-qualifying homeowners and renters reduce energy loss (and costs) with free energy efficiency improvements.

FREE ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES MAY INCLUDE:

• Attic insulation
• Wall insulation
• Air-sealing measures
• Replacement of incandescent light bulbs with LEDs
• Duct sealing 
  
  Click here to apply

• This is a free program for income-qualified homeowners and renters
• Customer must meet the income guidelines, and the home must meet program guidelines
• Customer or a representative 18 years of age or older must be on the premises at all times while contractors and/or CPS Energy staff are working

Free

We provide financial assistance for overdue utility bills (as long as funds are available).

Assistance is limited to once a 12-month period.

Proof in the form of a disconnection notice is required.

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program. CEAP is designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and to encourage consumers to control energy costs for years to come through energy education.

In order to receive assistance through Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) the applicant must:

• Reside in Bexar County
• Have income that does not exceed 150% of the Poverty Income Guideline (PDF) set by the Federal Government
• Be a U.S citizen, qualified alien or of verified legal immigration status

Must provide one of the following documents:

• U.S. Passport
• Certificate of U.S Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization

If you can not provide one of those documents, then you must provide one of the following:

• valid state-issued driver license or ID card and
• birth certificate or valid voter registration card

Priority for utility assistance is given to low-income households:

• Elderly (60+)
• Disabled
• Families with children five years of age or younger

This program provides utility assistance to CPS Energy ratepayers to support the health of families and individuals experiencing a financial hardship. Priority is given to individuals who are elderly, disabled, or a household with children 16 years of age and younger or a ratepayer enrolled in CPS Energy’s Critical Care Program.

In order to receive assistance the applicant must:

• Be a CPS Energy customer
• Reside in Bexar County outside the San Antonio city limits
• Have income that does not exceed 125% of the Poverty Income Guideline

This program provides financial assistance to households who have become homeless and require short or mid-term assistance to be able to regain housing stability.

Clients/households are referred by the Coordinated Entry system and through the hotline from the City of San Antonio.

Case Management is required to participate in this program.

Whether you were recently diagnosed or if you are encountering barriers not allowing you to be in medical care, and are living in the San Antonio area we have support and services for you. AARC utilizes the John Hopkins model of HIV Care, which is an integrated approach to treatment. Learn about HIV, how to stay healthy, get medication, and housing assistance, counseling, medical case management all under one roof.

HOW WE CAN HELP
We offer comprehensive services for people living with HIV.

Case Management:
Our team of case managers and community health workers offer medical and non-medical case management to help you achieve your health goals.

Early Intervention:
Were you recently diagnosed with HIV or want to return to care? The ASCEND program is here to guide you through the medical care system.

Health Insurance:
AARC’s health insurance program can help you continue medical care without gaps in health insurance coverage or disruption of treatment.

Behavioral Health:
Mental health services are provided to individuals and families who are dealing with various life stressors. Psychiatric services are also available.

Housing Services:
AARC provides housing referrals and short term rental, mortgage, utility assistance, and housing case management for those who qualify.

Transportation Services:
From doctor appointments to your counseling sessions AARC’s transportation can you get there.

The Rapid Re-Housing program reduces the amount of time a family experiences homelessness and rapidly re-houses families into permanent, affordable homes. Financial assistance is provided for up to 3 months along with 12 months of case management.

Rapid Re-Housing Program provides:

• Assistance with deposit, rent, and utilities for up to 3 months
• Case management with emphasis on budgeting and maintaining self-sufficiency for 12 months

Individuals and families are housed in apartments they select. (The apartment must meet HUD habitability standards and be within fair-market rent/rent reasonableness guidelines based upon household size.

The individual or family:

• must be "literally homeless" by HUD definition (living in an emergency shelter, on the street, or in a place not meant for habitation).
• must be referred by the community's Coordinated Entry system. Call (210) 207-1799 to get that started.

The FRC service family members of the incarcerated and individuals formerly incarcerated with:

• Assistance with basic needs (food, clothing, transportation, ID cards, etc.
• Employment assistance through job readiness, and job referrals.
• Regular support group meetings.
• Substance recovery classes.
• Chaplaincy services.
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Mental health counseling.
• Public utilities assistance (when funding is available).
• Parenting classes.
• Anger management classes.
• Art therapy for victims of domestic violence.

• Identification
• Proof of incarceration

Individuals who have had any criminal justice involvement in the past and are looking to plan their personal comeback can find assistance at the Bexar County Reentry Center.

Our Reentry team can help you increase your level of employability, obtain higher educational levels, and acquire specialized job training. A variety of other services and resources are also available to you as well. Call us for an appointment!

Free

The A.R. Nelson Christian Outreach Center, a Ministry of Bethel AME Church, provides food, clothing and limited financial assistance to needy individuals and families in the community.

Food and clothing are distributed on a monthly basis based on family size. Every effort is made to include food items that are healthy and nutritious.

Clients select clothing items from the men’s, women’s and/or children’s sections depending upon their family make-up.

Other assistance is provided as needed in accordance with budgetary restrictions. Prayer and spiritual fellowship are available to all.

Located at the south end of Beasley Brown Community Center

Free.

Provides rent and utility assistance for up to 12 months, for individuals with an active LOCA 1-5 who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

In collaboration with others, we offer an array of services to the poor and vulnerable in and around San Antonio, including underserved, unincorporated areas of Bexar County with high levels of poverty. The program serves a broad population of all ages, with a special focus on veterans, the disabled, seniors, those with children under 5, the homeless, and those at high risk of becoming homeless.

Through our Essential Services Program, we offer an array of programs and services that address basic needs. In addition, limited financial assistance is provided for expenses such as utility bills, rent, and medication to low-income individuals as outlined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. We also offer a Rapid Rehousing Program funded by Bexar County Economic and Community Development Department Development Services Division and City of San Antonio - Dept. of Human Services.

In addition, because we guide and oversee a network of more than 59 Conference distribution sites in the community (offering an array of services), we can connect those in need to the conference located closest to them.

Provides assistance to eligible households that need help paying for utilities due to an emergency hardship that impacts their ability to pay.

Call or visit office for information and application process.

The goal of the Fair Housing/ Housing Counseling Program is to help residents maintain housing stability, which is key to family well-being. The program is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counseling agency.

The Fair Housing Program provides the following services to rental tenants, homeowners and landlords:

• Tenant and landlord mediation
• Default counseling to homeowners
• Housing Discrimination Complaints
• Referrals and community outreach
• Rent Assistance
• Mortgage Assistance
• Utility Assistance

Limited resources available. Call for information. Re-apply frequently.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. It is this personalized involvement that makes the work of the Society unique. This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or in-kind service. An essential precept of the Society's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. The Society recognizes that it must assume, also, a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or voiceless.

Must reside within parish boundary.

This program provides emergency assistance for food, rent, and utilities.

(The Social Service office is located in classroom #3 of the school building.)

• Must be living within parish boundaries or be a registered parishioner.
• ID is required to receive services.
• Those seeking utility or rent assistance must have a disconnection notice.
• Those seeking rent assistance must live in public housing (SAHA) and have an eviction notice.

The Guadalupe Community Center provides free, wrap-around support and advocacy services to help individuals and families in need work towards self-sufficiency.

One-time emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness and utility disconnection as well as provide financial coaching and budgeting assessment for income-eligible individuals and families.

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (STVDP) put their faith into action. The Vincentians, as the members are called, follow Christ by serving those in need of food, clothing, and assistance and so bear witness to Christ’s compassion for the poor and broken-hearted. Through person-to-person, Vincentians give their heart and friendship to those they serve.

Food Pantry and Utility Assistance Requirements:

• Must reside within parish boundary.

Other Services for the Homeless:

• Sack Lunches
• Clothes
• Personal Hygiene Items

Free.

Courtesy Hold will prevent your water service from being shut off while your application for SAWS assistance is being processed.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Disability Billing/Disabled Veterans Initiative provides a payment extension to residential customers who receive disability income.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Must be disabled.
• Must provide proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the U.S. Social Security Administration or your VA benefits award letter, which states your disability percentage, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Leak Adjustments remove charges for "lost" water if you have a leak repaired by a licensed plumber.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Our goal is simple: to offer a helping hand to our neighbors in need. Since water is an essential part of life, we want to make sure no family ever has to be disconnected because they can’t pay their bills.

We started our assistance program in 2000 with just a handful of benefits. Today, Uplift has grown to include many ways to assist customers who need a little extra help. There’s no need to worry about filling out mountains of paperwork. Just submit an application and we’ll take care of the rest.

Water utility assistance only

To be eligible for Uplift you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application.

Project Agua provides emergency payment assistance up to two times a year.

• Must provide proof of current income (annually).
• Account must be in final notice status.

Reduced Deposit lowers the security deposit amount for new customers who qualify from $100 to $50.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Reduced Meter Service Fee lowers the amount we charge (from $12 to $6) for sending a technician to your home to disconnect your water service due to non-payment.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

SAWS Payment Arrangements allow you to work out a payment plan for your past-due account balance.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Senior Citizen Billing waives late payment penalties for customers age 60 and older.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.

Domestic Violence Deposit Waiver allows victims to open a new service account without paying a security deposit.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be a SAWS residential account holder.
• Meet income requirements.
• Complete the Uplift application, which can be found here.