Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

Geographic Scope: Sonoma County, California

Program Overview: The EFSP provides Sonoma County residents with one month of assistance in rent, mortgage, or a utility bill if they have verifiable COVID-19 related impact as of January 2023. This is a one-time, non-recurring program.

Eligible Services

Rental/Mortgage Assistance:

• One month of past, current, or first month's rent
• One month of past due balance (must be totally outstanding at time of payment)
• One month of current balance (payment due within 10 calendar days)
• First month's rent (payment may be made up to 30 days prior to move-in date)

Utility Assistance:

• One-month billed amount of metered utility (gas, electric, water, sewer) or non-metered utility (propane or firewood)
• Metered: Past due bills (30-day billing period only) or current bills (cannot be paid more than 10 calendar days prior to due date)
• Non-Metered: One-time delivery per household (cannot be paid in advance)

Program Requirements

• Must be a Sonoma County resident
• Your name must be on the bills or lease
• Must provide proof of recent COVID-19 impact that caused financial hardship
• Households can only apply one time
• Cannot apply for multiple services (e.g., cannot apply for both rent and utilities)

Contact Information

• Phone: 707-544-6911
• Address: 2250 Northpoint Pkwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

How to Apply

1. Fill out an intake through the kiosk
2. Upload identification documents, full rental lease, and pay stubs from the past two months
3. A CAP staff member will contact you to continue with the second part of the application
4. Provide proof of COVID-19 impact and utility bill statement or mortgage bill statement (if applicable)
5. All payments will be made directly to your landlord, mortgage lender, or utility vendor

Note

If your situation does not fulfill EFSP requirements but you still need assistance due to sudden or unexpected hardship, you may fill out the online application for guidance and resources.