Sacred Heart Energy Service

Sacred Heart offers income-eligible Santa Clara County households with two energy assistance programs to help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer:

  1. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a non-emergency federally-funded program that assists low-income households with paying home energy bills once a year.

  2. CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy) is a PG&E discount rate program that helps eligible customers with their energy bills.

Please contact 1-877-278-6455 or email us at heap@sacredheartcs.org if you have any questions.

Energy Service Information

HEAP Application Forms

All applications are in PDF format. Please see the attached instructions for additional information and requirements.

Do I qualify?

In order to qualify for help with your utility bills or free weatherization services, you must be a resident of Santa Clara County; however, similar services are offered in counties throughout California. You may qualify for help with your energy bill if your monthly household gross (before taxes) income is less than:

Income Guidelines starting January 2024

You must be qualified to receive help with utility bills before you can receive weatherization services. If you live in Santa Clara County and meet the above income requirement, click here to learn more about how you can receive help paying your energy bills and download an application form.

Help with Utility Bills through HEAP

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can offer income-eligible residents of Santa Clara County a credit to their utility bill. HEAP is available for people who purchase energy from PG&E, Silicon Valley Power or the City of Palo Alto as well as those who heat their home using wood, propane, or oil purchased from a vendor. Along with the utility credit, clients will also receive valuable information about energy conservation and practical tips on how to save energy and keep your utility bill at a manageable level.

The amount of HEAP is calculated on:

  • Household size

  • Household income

Other factors considered include funding availability and the cost of energy within the county where the household resides. HEAP provides one payment, ranging from $173 to $289 every calendar year. Families with elderly, disabled or young residents in the dwelling are encouraged to apply.

Please be aware that this is a NON-EMERGENCY program and it may be 6-8 weeks before the payment is awarded.

How to apply for HEAP

In order to apply for assistance with your utility bills, you need to complete, sign, date, and mail (do not fax) the application form to us with ALL of the required documents listed below:

  1. A copy of All PAGES of your current month’s energy bill for the last 30 days – gas, electric, wood, propane, or combination thereof. The bill must show a name, address, account number, and current monthly energy usage. Delinquent notices and closing bills are not acceptable. If you have a credit showing on your energy bill, please do not send in an application until there is no credit left.

  2. Documentation of income from all sources for ALL people living in the household who are 18 years or older. Income documents must be current, must include gross income (before deductions), must cover a one-month period, and must be dated within six weeks of your application date. Each person living in your household who is 18 years and older and who does Not receive income, needs to sign and fill out the “Certification of Income and Expense Form.” (Included in the application below.)

  3. Please note that if your application is received and the form is not complete and/or does not have all the required documentation attached, processing will be delayed until all the required documents are received.

HEAP FAQ’S PAGE

  • Click Here for instructions on how to apply and to download an application. You can also call us at 877-278-6455 to request the application forms.

  • ALL of the documents listed below are required:

    1. A copy of All PAGES of your current month’s energy bill for the last 30 days – gas, electric, wood, propane, or combination thereof. The bill must show a name, address, account number, and current monthly energy usage. Delinquent notices and closing bills are not acceptable. If you have a credit showing on your energy bill, please do not send in an application until there is no credit left.

    2. Documentation of income from all sources for ALL people living in the household who are 18 years or older. Income documents must be current, must include gross income (before deductions), must cover a one-month period, and must be dated within six weeks of your application date.

    3. Application must be signed and dated

    4. A copy of the applicants US Photo ID card (United States Government issued ID - Driver’s License, Permanent Resident Card, work, school ID)

  • We can provide payment assistance with the following:

    1. Gas and electric. If your gas and electric bill is from PG&E a copy of your most recent bill is required with your application. If your gas and electric is sub-metered a copy of your most recent monthly rental receipt is required with your application.

    2. Included in Rent. If your utilities are included in your rent we are able to accept a letter from your landlord or property manager stating the dollar amount of your rent that goes toward your home’s energy costs.

  • No. Any person over the age of 18 who lives in the home full time may apply for assistance. The service address on the energy bill must be the physical address at which the applicant lives.

  • No. State guidelines require HEAP funding to be used for a customer’s current energy usage costs.

  • Sacred Heart can provide a one-time benefit payment per calendar year. Benefit payments are determined by the household size and income.

  • Click here to see the eligibility requirements.

  • Yes, you can.

  • Yes, you can.

  • No. Sacred Heart Energy is a local non-profit agency serving low-income residents in Santa Clara County. Although we help with PG&E bills, we are not affiliated with PG&E.

CARE Application Forms for discounted PG&E

All applications are in PDF format. Please see the attached instructions for additional information and requirements.