sd solid waste assistance

Solid Waste Management Fee Financial Assistance Program

In partnership with

A City of San Diego Environmental Services Department program, administered by MAAC.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible City of San Diego homeowners to help offset the annual Solid Waste Management Fee. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $261.60 in assistance (FY 2026), with additional support available for households on a county property tax payment plan.

MAAC is dedicated to reducing economic hardship by helping individuals and families with limited resources achieve lasting financial stability. Through partnerships with local governments and community groups, MAAC supports households in managing housing costs and overcoming financial obstacles.

Who​ Can Apply

You may qualify if:

  • You own your home, AND
  • Your home receives City trash collection services, AND
  • The home is your primary residence, AND
  • And one of the following applies:
    • Your household income* is at or below the income levels listed here, OR
    • Someone in your household is currently enrolled in LIHEAP, CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal

*Household size includes all individuals living in the home, regardless of relationship.

Income Eligibility

If applying based on income, your household income must be at or below the following monthly amounts.

Monthly Income Limits (60% of State Median Income):

  • 1 person – $3,331.00
  • 2 people – $4,356.83
  • 3 people – $5,382.00
  • 4 people – $6,407.16
  • 5 people – $7,432.25
  • 6 people – $8,457.41
  • 7 people – $8,649.66
  • 8 people – $8,841.83
  • 9 people – $9,034.08
  • 10 people – $9,226.25

(Income limits are based on monthly adjusted gross household income and may be updated annually. Additional household sizes may qualify; limits adjust slightly per person.)

What You Will Need to Apply

Please be ready to upload documentation so we can verify eligibility. Examples include:

Proof You Live at the Property:

  • Property tax bill, OR
  • Mortgage statement, OR
  • Valid ID with the home address

AND one document from the following:

If Applying Based on Income:

  • Previous year’s tax return, OR one of the following, dated within the last 2 months:
  • Recent pay stubs, OR
  • Unemployment benefits letter, OR
  • Other official income documents

If Applying Based on Public Benefits:

  • Statement or letter on official letterhead showing active enrollment in one of the following programs:
    LIHEAP, CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal

Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 10 MB per file). Photos taken with a smartphone are acceptable.

If Requesting Additional Support

Homeowners on a County property tax payment plan, documentation of the active plan is required.

Important Dates
These dates may be subject to change based on decisions made by locally elected officials.

  • Application Portal Opens: January 2026
  • Rolling Application Review for FY 2026 Assistance: January – April 2026
  • Second Fee Installment Due to County: April 10, 2026
  • FY 2027 Assistance Application Period: Mid-April – July 2026
    (and beyond, pending funding availability)

In-Person Help
MAAC will host weekly assistance clinics at MAAC locations and City public libraries. During these sessions, staff can help you:

  • Complete the application
  • Upload documents
  • Understand eligibility

Upcoming Clinics

DATE/2026 TIME LOCATION* ADDRESS ROOM
May 6 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Adams Recreation Center 3491 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116 Office and Craft Room
May 8 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library 5148 Market St., San Diego, CA 92114 Multipurpose Room
May 13 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Allied Gardens Recreation Center 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego, CA 92120 Garden Room
May 27 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Mira Mesa Library 8405 New Salem St., San Diego, CA 92126 Community Room
June 3 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library 215 W. Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103 Study Rooms 1 and 2
June 10 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Mission Valley Library 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108 Seminar Room B
June 17 10:00 am – 3:30 pm North Clairemont Library 4616 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117 Meeting Room
June 24 10:00 am – 3:30 pm North Park Library 3795 31st St., San Diego, CA 92104 Adult Reading Area

*If you need more information, location names are hyperlinked to the location’s website.

Do I Live in an Eligible ZIP Code

The program is available only to homeowners whose properties receive trash collection from the City of San Diego.

92014 92102 92108 92115 92122 92129 92145
92037 92103 92109 92116 92123 92130 92154
92038 92104 92110 92117 92124 92131 92171
92067 92105 92111 92119 92126 92132 92173
92093 92106 92113 92120 92127 92134
92101 92107 92114 92121 92128 92139

Apply Online

Click the link below to complete the application form and upload documents directly through our website. For application assistance, contact MAAC. For program policy questions or for more information about the Solid Waste Management Fee and related City Program, visit the City of San Diego  Environmental Services Department website.

Contact

If you have questions about the Solid Waste Management Fee Financial Assistance Program, you can reach us at:

  • Phone: 619.946.4419
  • Email: SDSWAssistance@MAACproject.org