Request Medical Power Exemption - City of Sacramento

Utilities and Infrastructure California 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

In Sacramento, California, customers with documented medical needs can request special consideration from their electric provider for outages, priority restoration, or medical exemptions. This guide explains typical eligibility, how to apply, what documentation to provide, who enforces the program, and what to do if your request is denied. For most residents inside the city limits the local public utility is the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), which operates official medical-assistance and outage-priority services. SMUD Medical Baseline[1] Use your SMUD account number and official medical certification when you apply.

Contact SMUD Customer Service early to register and confirm your account details.

Who is eligible

Eligibility normally covers customers who rely on electrically powered life-support equipment or other medical devices that would cause serious health risk if without power. You typically must be the account holder or live at the service address and provide a licensed health professional's confirmation of need. If you are served by a different municipal or investor-owned utility, check that utility's official program page.

How to request an exemption or priority

Steps vary by utility, but commonly include: registering your account, submitting a medical certification signed by a qualified clinician, and keeping your contact and account information current. If you are a SMUD customer, SMUD documents the program and registration steps on its official site. SMUD outage guidance[2]

  • Gather medical certification from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
  • Call SMUD Customer Service or submit documentation online via your utility account portal.
  • Keep a current account number, service address, and emergency contact phone.

Penalties & Enforcement

Medical exemption programs for power and priority restoration are administered by the utility provider; enforcement and penalties listed in municipal code typically do not apply to customer medical registration itself. Where a municipal code or utility tariff governs disconnection rules, any penalties or fees for misuse of the program will be set by the utility's tariff or administrative rules.

  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation for misuse or false claims: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: utilities may remove priority status for fraudulent or inactive accounts; specific remedies are set by the utility's rules.
  • Enforcer: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Customer Service and applicable utility compliance officers handle registration and enforcement for SMUD-served addresses. SMUD Contact
  • Appeals and reviews: follow the utility's customer dispute or appeal process; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you suspect misuse of the medical-registration process, report it to utility customer service immediately.

Applications & Forms

Most utilities provide a medical certification form or an online registration workflow. For SMUD, the utility's medical-assistance page describes registration steps and contact methods; the exact form name and fee information are provided on the utility site or via Customer Service. If a formal form number or fee is required, it will be listed on the official SMUD pages.[1]

Action steps

  • Register as soon as a medical need is identified to ensure records are active before an outage.
  • Obtain a clinician-signed certification and keep a copy for your records.
  • Confirm registration by contacting SMUD Customer Service and noting any confirmation number.
  • If denied, file the utility's formal appeal or dispute within the timeframe the utility provides; if unresolved, contact the California Public Utilities Commission or local elected officials for guidance.

FAQ

How long does registration take?
Processing times vary by utility; contact SMUD Customer Service for current processing timelines.
Is there a fee to register?
Fees for registration or certification are not specified on the cited page; confirm with SMUD Customer Service.
Will I get guaranteed uninterrupted power?
No program can guarantee uninterrupted power; medical registration typically provides priority restoration and notifications, not absolute guarantee against outages.

How-To

  1. Collect medical documentation signed by a licensed clinician confirming the need for electrically powered equipment.
  2. Create or locate your utility account number and service address information.
  3. Submit documentation to your utility's medical-assistance or priority-restoration program by mail, email, or online portal as directed.
  4. Confirm registration with the utility and save any confirmation number or correspondence.
  5. Update the utility immediately if your medical needs change or you move.

Key Takeaways

  • Register early and keep documentation current to improve outage handling.
  • SMUD is the primary contact for most Sacramento customers inside city limits.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] SMUD Medical Baseline and medical-assistance information
  2. [2] SMUD outage guidance and priority-restoration information

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