Resources for accessibility, aging, financial and language needs

In-language support

If you or others you know need translation help to understand and prepare for a PSPS, the language resources and partnerships listed below are available for support. Additional support is available in over 250 languages. Call 1-866-743-6589 to learn more.

For information in alternate formats, such as large print, Braille or audio, please email a request to PG&E at CIACMC@pge.com and include your name, mailing address and phone number.

Disability Disaster Access & Resources

The Disability Disaster Access & Resources (DDAR) Program is a collaboration between PG&E and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC). Through the program, qualifying customers who use electrical medical devices can access resources to lessen the impact of power shutoffs. Participants qualify through a DDAR intake process. Among other criteria, those who qualify have disabilities and chronic conditions that require electricity to live independently.

Through their Disability Disaster Access & Resources Program, the CFILC provides extra help during a PSPS to those who rely on power for medical or independent living needs. Qualifying participants get access to backup portable batteries and other resources like food stipends, accessible transportation resources, and hotel stays during PSPS events. Portable backup batteries may be provided through a grant, lease-to-own or financial loan application.

Coordination with a Disability Disaster Access & Resource Center for support takes time so we recommend you reach out to your local center in advance of a PSPS event. While these centers can provide emergency help, they’re not open 24 hours a day, 7 days week. Regular hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please dial 911.

DDAR Centers can also help you get ready for a PSPS with emergency planning and education and Medical Baseline Program enrollment assistance. Visit the CFILC to access their disaster planning resources.

Portable Battery Program

PG&E's Portable Battery Program (PBP) provides backup batteries to lessen the impact of a PSPS on customers who rely on medical devices. Program partners reach out to eligible customers to conduct a phone or email assessment. The assessment surveys customer emergency preparedness plans and medical device information to match the customer with the best battery available for their needs.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Enrolled in the Medical Baseline program, and
• Live in High Fire-Threat Districts (HFTD) as defined by this CPUC Fire Map or have experienced two or more PSPS since 2020.

Additional eligibility requirements include a reliance on medical equipment that operates on electricity to sustain life.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Portable Battery Program but are reliant on power for medical or independent living needs, please refer to the Disability Disaster Access & Resources Program above.

Expanded Generator and Battery Rebate Program

PG&E is offering eligible customers a rebate on the purchase of a qualifying generator or battery to prepare for outages. To qualify, customers must satisfy all of these requirements:

✔ Have an active PG&E account
✔ Reside in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 High Fire-Threat District area
✔ Meet one of the following criteria:

• • They rely on well water pumping for their water needs (i.e., service address is not included in the CA Water Agency map),
  • Are a Medical Baseline customer who does not qualify for our Portable Battery Program or
  • Are a small/micro non-critical care essential business (grocery store, convenience store, veterinarian, dental office, urgent care clinic, mobile home park owner) with a product listed in PG&E’s Qualified Product List (XLSX, 51 KB).

Through this program, we are offering a $300 to $1,000 rebate for all eligible customers based on the retail price of the product. Customers who participate in PG&E’s CARE or FERA Program can receive an additional $200 if the total rebate amount (which includes the applicable level amount) does not exceed the qualifying product’s purchase price.

Device charging, Wi-Fi and other support

PG&E opens Community Resource Centers in areas affected by a PSPS. All Community Resource Centers follow state and county guidelines to fight COVID-19. These centers offer an ADA-accessible restroom and hand-washing station, medical equipment charging, device charging, Wi-Fi, bottled water and snacks. Indoor centers also offer air-conditioning or heating, seating and ice.

Food banks

If you experience food loss due to a PSPS event, participating food banks within your county will provide your family with groceries during the PSPS outage and for three days following.

Meals on Wheels – for disabled or older adults

Meals on Wheels provides home-bound seniors with nutritious meals in their homes. If you live in a county affected by a PSPS event, and already participate in the Meals on Wheels program, you’ll be given one more meal per day for each day of the PSPS event.

To be eligible you must be 60 years or older (or the spouse of a person age 60 or older), at risk of malnutrition and not able to come to a Meals on Wheels Center for a meal. Reach out to your local Meals on Wheels now, to see if you qualify.

Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR)

In collaboration with PG&E, the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers manages the Disability Disaster Access & Resources (DDAR) program. During PSPS events, DDAR provides resources for people who rely on power for medical or independent living needs.

The DDAR Program determines who qualifies for resources through their intake process. Among other criteria, those who qualify have disabilities and chronic conditions that require electricity in order for the individual to live independently. Resources offered through the program include portable backup batteries, hotel accommodations, accessible transportation and food vouchers.

Customers may apply directly at disabilitydisasteraccess.org or may contact the Disability Disaster Access & Resources Center that serves your county.

Call or text 211, 24 hours a day

You can receive support and access resources during periods of critical need. This includes Public Safety Power Shutoffs. This free, private calling and texting service is available 24/7 for California residents. To learn more, please visit 211.org or call 211.