COVID-19 Resources
San Antonio Rent/Mortgage/Utility Bill Information
- Emergency Assistance – Rental (paper application) – https://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices/FinanceEmergency/UtilityAssistance
- Utility Assistance – https://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices/financeemergency/utilityassistance
- Rental/Mortgage Assistance – https://www.sanantonio.gov/NHSD/Programs/FairHousing
Even though SAWS and CPS are not disconnecting service for nonpayment during this health emergency, individuals and/or families who are behind on payments are encouraged to seek assistance now.
Internet Resources
EveryoneON
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the society, multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have made updates to their low-cost internet service programs to ensure individuals and families stay connected to the internet during this challenging time. EveryoneON has updated its low-cost internet service options tool to reflect these changes. Follow the steps provided.
Visit https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers for more information.
Texas Cable Association
For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, Altice USA is offering its Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to new customer households within our footprint. Eligible households interested in this solution can call 888-633-0030 to enroll in the Suddenlink region, which includes Texas.
Visit https://www.txcable.com/2020/03/cable-prepared-to-help-keep-texas-u-s-connected/ for more information.
Spectrum/Charter
Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and wifi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely. Charter will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, high speed broadband program to eligible low-income households delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.
Visit https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more for more information.
Internet Essentials from Comcast
New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of internet service if they apply by April 30, 2020. After promotion, regular rates apply. For all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s internet service has increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. We are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by April 13, 2020. After April 13, 2020, standard eligibility rules apply.
Visit https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 for more information.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet. Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill. Lifeline can be used for either internet or phone, but not both.
Visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org for more information.
VIAtrans Mobile Hotspots
VIA Metropolitan Transit, the City of San Antonio, San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), San Antonio ISD and Northside ISD have partnered to provide mobile Wi-Fi service to students by using VIAtrans vans equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi networks. The vans are dispatched to various locations identified by the City, SAHA and the partnering school districts.
VIA mobile hotspots have a range of 100-200 feet. Residents accessing the network must also observe social distancing guidelines and cannot board the van. Setting up safely requires enough space for students to access the signal from a nearby parked car.
View a map of the areas where VIAtrans vans will be located.