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 the 1 year re-certify, PG&E will send reminder notifications to enrolled customers including updates about whether a qualified medical practitioner signature will be needed to re-certify.

Medical Baseline Program overview

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 Medical Baseline 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 when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, threaten a portion of the electric system. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff.


Extreme 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 may 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.



Learn more about wildfire safety

Resources for individuals with access and functional needs

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Find out whether you're eligible

To qualify, a full-time resident in your home must have a qualifying medical condition and/or require use of a qualifying medical device to treat ongoing medical conditions.

Some examples of qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Paraplegic, hemiplegic or quadriplegic condition
  • Multiple sclerosis with special heating and/or cooling needs
  • Scleroderma with special heating needs
  • Life-threatening illness or compromised immune system, and special heating and/or cooling are needed to sustain life or prevent medical deterioration
  • Asthma and/or sleep apnea


And, some examples of qualifying medical devices include:

  • Motorized wheelchair/scooter
  • IPPB or CPAP machines
  • Respirator (all types)
  • Hemodialysis machine
  • Iron lung


Review a more complete list of qualifying medical devices.

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Apply

You can apply for the Medical Baseline program by filling out the online application or mailing in an application.

Online application:

Apply now

Download and print application:




Make sure Step 5 of your application has been filled out to the best of your ability. NOTE: Signature by a qualified medical practitioner is not required at this time (Section 3) due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place requirements and changing medical practitioner priorities.

Send in your application


Mail your completed application to:

PG&E
Attention: Medical Baseline
P.O. Box 8329
Stockton, CA 95208

You can request an application and obtain more information about the Medical Baseline Program by contacting PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or by completing our online contact form.

Hard of Hearing customers with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) may call California Relay Service at 7-1-1.

Please note: Eligibility for Medical Baseline is based on medical conditions or needs, NOT on income.

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Choose your Medical Baseline/Life Support contact

Set your contact preference online for how you would like to be notified in the event of a planned or unplanned service outage affecting your residence. Visit Medical Baseline/Life Support Contact Preference.

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Start saving

When your application is approved, you’ll begin receiving your additional Medical Baseline quantities of approximately 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas per month.

Apply for Medical Baseline/Life Support

Download and print an application.

General Program Information