CSD Resources in English
The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) has created this webpage to provide access to CSD programs, information, and services to people with limited English proficiency. CSD wants to ensure that language is not a barrier to accessing vital services for low-income Californians.
Contact the CSD Call Center for free translation and interpreter services at (866) 675-6623.
Certified bilingual staff are available in Spanish to assist members of the public.
If a bilingual employee is unavailable for your requested language, CSD works with vendors to provide free translation and interpreter services to communicate effectively with CSD.
Translation Disclaimer
CSD has partnered with a third party to translate the online content on this webpage to serve speakers with limited English proficiency. While we aim for completely accurate translations, the translated and English versions of our documents may differ.
CSD's website is not completely translated into languages other than English. It is possible to use the Google Translate feature located at the top of the website by selecting "Translate."
Important: The Google Translate feature is provided for informational purposes only. The translations may not be exact. Use them as a rough guide. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations by Google Translate and are therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in page formatting resulting from its use.
Important Phone Numbers
CSD Call Center / Toll Free: (866) 675-6623
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): (916) 263-1402
CSD Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding holidays.
Find Services in Your Area
For information about the services available in your area, use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to find and contact your local agency service provider:
Find Services in Your Area
CSD's Programs and Services
CSD partners with community-based organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable Californians achieve and maintain economic security, pay their energy bills, and make their homes more energy efficient. The programs and services CSD administers for the public are the:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps qualified low-income households manage their energy costs and immediate home heating and cooling needs. LIHEAP offers several ways to help low-income households meet their home energy needs:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help with a one-time payment for an energy bill, even if the household uses wood, propane, or oil. Eligible households may apply for assistance once a year.
- Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) can help low-income households in an emergency or energy crisis, such as potential disconnection or a service termination, or if there is an energy-related crisis that could be life-threatening, such as a non-functional combustion appliance.
- Weatherization provides free energy-efficient repairs or upgrades to help lower monthly utility bills for qualified households while improving the health and safety of occupants.
To apply for LIHEAP services, use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local energy services provider.
Program Eligibility
Eligibility for LIHEAP services is based on federal Income guidelines and may vary depending on various factors. Use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local energy services provider.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
CSBG funds community services to help low-income families and individuals achieve economic security. CSBG supports local services and activities that have a measurable impact on the causes and conditions of poverty in communities across California. Services provided by CSBG agencies vary based on locally determined needs but may include:
- Education Services
- Emergency Services
- Employment Services
- Food/Nutrition Services
- Health Services
| - Homeless Services
- Housing Services
- Income Management Services
- Older Adult Services
- Transportation Services
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To learn about the CSBG-supported assistance available in your area, use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local CSBG agency for more information. Income Eligibility
Eligibility for CSBG services is based on federal income guidelines. Please use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local CSBG agency.
U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE WAP)
DOE WAP helps reduce energy use and energy costs by providing services to improve energy efficiency in the homes of eligible low-income Californians. Examples of DOE WAP services include:
- Sealing holes and cracks around doors, windows, and pipes.
- Making sure your home is well insulated.
- Fixing or replacing windows.
| - Making sure your heating and air conditioning systems work well.
- Fixing or replacing water heaters.
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To apply for weatherization services and to inquire about the type of assistance available in your area, use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local energy services provider for more information.
Program Eligibility
Eligibility for DOE WAP services is based on federal income guidelines and may vary depending on various factors. Please use CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool to contact your local energy services provider.
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
LIWP reduces household energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by funding energy efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at no cost to low-income households, with a focus on farmworker housing and multi-family affordable housing. LIWP consists of two program components:
- LIWP Farmworker Housing Component provides energy efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar PV to low-income farmworker households at no cost to residents. LIWP services for farmworker households are available in the following counties through La Cooperativa Campesina de California and MAROMA Energy Services:
Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Riverside, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura.
- For additional information, call (833) FOR-LIWP or (833) 367-5497. Customer service representatives are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist applicants in English and Spanish. Translation services are available in other languages. Additional contact information is available through CSD's Find Services in Your Area search tool.
- LIWP Multi-Family Component provides technical assistance and incentives to property owners for the installation of energy efficiency measures and solar photovoltaic systems in affordable multi-family housing buildings at no cost to tenants.
CalEITC+ Education and Outreach Grant Program
CSD works with the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to administer the CalEITC+ Education and Outreach Grant Program. This program aims to help more Californians claim the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), Young Child Tax Credit, and other state and federal tax credits by giving grants for education and outreach to community-based organizations throughout California. Other services under this program include the acceptance of Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) applications to help noncitizen Californians acquire an ITIN and free tax return preparation help for low-income Californians.
More information about CalEITC and how to claim these cash-back tax credits can be found on FTB's website. Find free tax preparation help at a location near you at FTB's Get Free Tax Help.
If you feel CSD was unable to serve you due to a language barrier because of limited English proficiency or other communication differences, CSD may be able to provide additional communication help with the information or services you have requested.
Members of the public or recipients of services may direct complaints regarding language access by taking the following steps:
CSD staff must immediately forward complaints from members of the public concerning the availability of interpreters and/or translated materials to the Language Access Coordinator at LanguageAccess@csd.ca.gov. CSD's Language Access Coordinator will investigate and work to resolve all complaints.