The CONNECT Program

helping hand

The CONNECTion To Services Program (The CONNECT Program) grew out of the District Attorney Office’s participation in the San Francisco Fines and Fees Task Force. The District Attorney’s Office collaborated with the Financial Justice Project, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, The San Francisco Superior Court, and others to develop this program.

Quality of Life citations are issued for infractions like loitering or sleeping on a sidewalk and are often given to people struggling with homelessness. We know that many people struggling with homelessness cannot afford to pay these citations, and left unpaid, the record of the citations can create barriers to employment and housing. For people who are struggling with homelessness, we hope this program allows people to meet their obligation under the citations by getting the help they need from a trusted social service provider in our community.

If you are experiencing housing instability and received any of the infractions listed here, you may be able to have the infraction dismissed by receiving help from a caseworker or social service provider.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A DISMISSAL

1. Download the Citation Dismissal (Verification of Services) form.

2. Take the form to an approved community organization or social service provider.

3. Get 20 hours of social service assistance and have your service provider complete the form

4. Have your service provider send the completed form to SFDA.CONNECT @sfgov.org

If you meet the requirements and spent 20 hours with a qualified social services provider, you are eligible to have your infraction dismissed by the District Attorney's Office.

Deadlines to be aware of:

While you are completing your hours, you must still follow the instructions located on you citation. If you do not submit the Citation Dismissal Form before the date listed on the bottom of your citation, you may be charged a $300 civil assessment fee. To ensure you do not receive a $300 civil assessment fee, either submit the Citation Dismissal Form before the date listed on your citation, or ask your service provider to notify the District Attorney's Office that you need more time. Your service provider can email SFDA.CONNECT@sfgov.org with your name and citation number, and the court will extend the deadline by 60 days. If you have already received a $300 civil assessment, you can still submit your form and request that the late fee is waived.