Season of Sharing Program Rules

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Season of Sharing program, applicants must*:

1. Be a current San Francisco resident;
2. Be 18 years of age or older;
3. Have a household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income for the applicant’s size:
   • 1-member household = $5,421
   • 2-member household = $6,196
   • 3-member household = $ 6,971
   • 4-member household = $ 7,742
   • 5-member household = $ 8,363
   • 6-member household = $ 8,983
   • 7-member household = $ 9,600
   • 8-member household = $ 10,221
4. Not have received Season of Sharing program funds within the last 5 years; and
5. Be able to demonstrate a financial hardship that occurred within the past six months.

*Please note: at any time, at its sole discretion or the discretion of the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund, the program may change the criteria set forth above.

Interested residents must apply through a Community Partner agency.

Types of Assistance Provided

1. Back rent/mortgage: If applying for back rent or mortgage assistance, applicants must have experienced a recent financial hardship within the past six months prior to the application date. The financial hardship may be a loss of income and/or a significant and unexpected increase in expenses. Financial hardship must be documented and proportional to the rent owed to be eligible for Season of Sharing back rent assistance, applicants must first apply for the San Francisco Emergency Rental Assistance Program (SF ERAP) program.
2. Future rent: Eligible applicants can receive assistance for up to one month of future rent only if applying for back rent assistance.
3. Move-in assistance: Eligible applicants can receive a Security Deposit and/or First Month’s rent for a secured unit. Assistance can be provided for eligible households who are moving within or outside of San Francisco.
4. Furniture assistance: This is available only for households moving into a unit who do not have basic furniture. The eligible items include: (bedframe, mattress, dresser, chest, dining room set with 4 chairs). Applications must be received within 30 days of a signed lease and additional documentation will be required before approval.
5. Limited medical bills/equipment costs (restrictions apply): This can be covered with proof of medical necessity.
6. Past-due utility assistance: This is available with proof that the applicant is participating in a discount program through the utility company or has been denied financial assistance from the utility agency (proof must be submitted). Utility assistance can only be provided if the account is under the applicant’s name.
   • Get help with utilities:
     • San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - Customer Assistance Program
     • San Francisco-Peninsula Energy Service
     • PG&E - Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH)
     • PG&E - California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)
     • PG&E - Additional payment arrangements

Assistance Limit

Eligible households may receive up to $3000 in financial assistance. In cases where circumstances require special consideration and additional approval has been obtained, a household may be eligible to receive limited additional assistance. The amount provided will be contingent upon factors such as outstanding rent or move-in costs, financial hardship, and other relevant considerations.

Required Documentation

The following documents are required to receive financial assistance:

• Valid identification for all adults 18 years of age and older
• Proof of age for all children under the age of 18
• Income verification for all household members 18 years of age and older
• Proof of San Francisco residency
• Proof of unpaid rent/mortgage or move-in costs
• Current utility statement under applicant’s names
• Itemized invoice for medical equipment or medical bill
• Proof of financial hardship within the last six months

Additional Rules for RAD, HOPE SF, and Permanent Supportive Housing Tenants

To qualify for back rent assistance from Season of Sharing, tenants must first apply for assistance from SF ERAP. If an application is received without the tenant having applied for prior assistance through SF ERAP the application will be denied.

1. If in need of additional back rent assistance, a RAD, HOPE SF, and PSH tenants are eligible for back rent assistance but are not eligible for future rent assistance.
2. Tenants are eligible to apply for all other types of assistance from Season of Sharing without being required to adhere to the above-mentioned payment plan guidelines.