Apply for the Medical Baseline Program

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COVID-19

Due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place requirements and changing medical practitioner priorities, PG&E customers can now self-certify their eligibility to enroll in the Medical Baseline Program.

• Complete all steps on the Medical Baseline application, except for medical practitioner Step 5, Section 3 (NOTE: Signature by a qualified medical practitioner is not required at this time.)
• Mail the completed application to the address located at the bottom of the form
• At your one-year anniversary on the Medical Baseline Program you will need to re-certify. Prior to your one year re-certification, PG&E will send reminder notifications to enrolled customers including updates about whether a qualified medical practitioner signature will be needed to re-certify.

The Medical Baseline Program, also known as Medical Baseline Allowance, is an assistance program for residential customers who depend on power for certain medical and independent living needs. The program includes two different kinds of help:

1. A lower rate on your monthly energy bill
2. Extra notifications in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff

How the Medical Baseline Program and the lower rate work

All residential customers receive an allotment of energy every month at the lowest price available on their rate. This is called the Baseline Allowance.

Customers who are eligible for the Medical Baseline Program receive an additional allotment of electricity and/or gas per month (approximately 500 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas per month). This helps ensure that more energy to support qualifying medical devices is available at a lower rate.

It is important to note that approval of your Medical Baseline Program application still requires you to continue paying your monthly PG&E bill. Nonpayment can result in the disconnection of your utility services.

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff and what do extra notifications mean for Medical Baseline customers?

In the interest of safety, PG&E may need to turn off power to communities served by electric lines in or running through high fire-threat areas during severe weather. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff.

Severe weather threats can change quickly. Our goal, dependent on weather, is to send customer alerts at 48 hours, 24 hours and just prior to shutting off power. We will do so through automated calls, texts and emails. Notifications are sent by phone, text and email.

Medical Baseline customers will receive extra notifications as part of this outreach, which may include additional phone calls or a door knock to ensure they're aware and can make preparations to stay safe. It is important that Medical Baseline customers acknowledge receipt of a notification by answering the phone and speaking or replying to the text message.