Medical Baseline Program
The Medical Baseline Program is a support system that ensures individuals with medical needs can afford the energy necessary for their health and well-being, without facing undue financial burden. As another way to maintain financial independence, applying to programs like these will help reduce the cost of living and help you allocate the funds you to the areas you need it the most.
1. What is the Medical Baseline Program?
The Medical Baseline Program is a program offered by utility companies in California. It provides eligible customers who have special medical needs with a higher amount of energy (electricity and/or natural gas) at the lowest baseline rate.
This program helps offset the increased energy costs that can arise from life-support equipments or from special heating/cooling needs due to a medical condition.
2. What Does the Medical Baseline Program Offer?
Increased Energy Allowance: Customers receive an additional quantity of electricity and/or natural gas each month at the lowest possible rate. This means they can use more energy before moving into higher-priced tiers.
Protection from Disconnection: In some cases, the program may offer additional protections against service disconnection, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
Support for Medical Equipment: It's designed to help cover the cost of running medical equipment such as
Respirators, oxygen concentrators
Dialysis machines
Wheelchair chargers
Ventilators
And other essential medical devices that require electricity.
Temperature Sensitivity: It can also apply to individuals who need consistent heating or cooling to prevent their medical condition from worsening.
3. Who is the Medical Baseline Program For?
Individuals with Qualifying Medical Conditions: Eligibility typically requires a doctor's certification that a full-time resident in the household has a specific medical condition or uses life-support equipment.
Utility Customers: The program is for customers of participating utility providers (e.g., PG&E, Southern California Edison, SDG&E, SoCalGas).
Residency Requirement: The person with the medical condition must live at the service address full-time.