What this is
eCAP (Electronic Claim and Application Portal) is the California Public Utilities Commission's online portal where organizations apply for, and submit claims to, several state subsidy programs. Source: CPUC eCAP
For most nonprofits arriving here, the relevant program behind eCAP is the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) — a 50% discount on monthly internet and basic phone service from participating California providers. Source: CPUC CTF program page
Who can use CTF through eCAP
CTF eligibility (apply via eCAP):
- Qualifying community-based nonprofits
- Schools (K-12) and school annexes
- Public libraries and library annexes
- Community colleges
- Government-owned hospitals and health clinics
- Healthcare community-based organizations (501(c)(3) that directly deliver Medicare / Medi-Cal / VA-covered healthcare at a physical location)
What to actually do
- Go to ecap.cpuc.ca.gov and create an account for your organization (one account per org, not per person).
- Start a new CTF application. You will need your IRS determination letter (for 501(c)(3) verification), your most recent tax filing, and the address of each physical site receiving service.
- Submit. You will get status updates by email.
- Once approved, contact your internet / phone provider and give them your CTF approval — the discount is applied on the provider's bill, not paid out to you.
- Recertify on the schedule CPUC sends (typically every few years) or you lose the discount.
Questions: email CTFHelp@cpuc.ca.gov.
What to skip
- eCAP also hosts portals for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) and contractor invoicing for other CPUC funds. If you are a nonprofit looking for an internet discount, ignore those modules — you only need the CTF application.
- The portal occasionally shows a "CSS Error / Refresh" loading screen; a hard refresh usually clears it.