San Jose Priority Restoration and Medical Baseline Rules

Utilities and Infrastructure California 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of California

San Jose, California residents who rely on electrically powered medical equipment have specific protections and enrollment pathways under utility and state programs. This article explains how Priority Restoration and the Medical Baseline allowance work for customers served by investor-owned utilities and how municipal emergency services coordinate for people with special needs. It cites official program pages and shows how to apply, how to report outages or complaints, and where to get help locally and at the state level.[1] For utility-specific enrollment and contact options see your utility provider's priority or medical baseline pages.[2] The City of San Jose also maintains emergency special-populations resources.[3]

Overview

The Medical Baseline program provides a higher baseline electricity allowance for customers with qualifying medical needs; Priority Restoration aims to prioritize power restoration for customers who rely on life-sustaining equipment. Eligibility, enrollment, and operational details are handled by the utility and governed by state rules and utility tariffs. Customers should register both with their utility and with local emergency management if they have access or functional needs.

Enroll with both the utility and local emergency services to maximize protection.

Eligibility & Enrollment

Eligibility for Medical Baseline is based on a qualifying medical condition and equipment that increases energy use or requires continuous power. Priority Restoration enrollment is typically for customers who notify the utility that a household member depends on life-sustaining equipment during outages. Enrollment usually requires certification from a licensed medical provider and completion of the utility's form or online application.

  • Medical certification by a licensed health professional is commonly required.
  • Applications may be renewed or require periodic recertification per the utility's rules.
  • Utilities provide priority-care or special-needs registration hotlines and online portals.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of Medical Baseline and priority service program rules is administered by the utility and overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Specific monetary fines, civil penalties, or fee schedules for noncompliance are not specified on the cited program pages and, where applicable, are governed by broader utility tariff and CPUC enforcement procedures.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages for program noncompliance; refer to utility tariff or CPUC enforcement notices for monetary penalties.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures are not detailed on the cited program pages and are handled under utility rules or CPUC orders.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: utilities may issue service orders, suspend or revoke program status, or pursue administrative remedies; CPUC can pursue enforcement actions against utilities if obligations are unmet.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: primary enforcement oversight is the CPUC; initial service complaints should be directed to the utility's priority-care team and, if unresolved, filed with the CPUC.[2]
  • Appeals and review: dispute resolution typically begins with the utility's customer service and escalation processes; CPUC complaint filing is the state-level review route. Time limits for CPUC complaint filings are not specified on the cited program overview page.[1]
Specific fines and precise appeal deadlines are not listed on the program overview pages cited.

Applications & Forms

Utilities publish Medical Baseline and Priority Restoration registration forms or online enrollment portals. The CPUC program page explains eligibility and links to utility resources; the utility page provides its own enrollment form and contact instructions. If a specific form name, number, fee, or a mandatory deadline is not shown on a cited page, that item is not specified on the cited page.[1][2]

  • How to apply: complete the utility's Medical Baseline or priority registration form online or by mail as instructed on the utility webpage.[2]
  • Certification: a licensed medical professional is normally required to certify eligibility.

Action Steps

  • Step 1: Identify if household members use life-sustaining or continuous electrical equipment.
  • Step 2: Gather medical certification from a licensed provider.
  • Step 3: Enroll with your utility's Medical Baseline or priority-care program (use the utility's online form or phone number).[2]
  • Step 4: Register with the City of San Jose emergency special-populations or special-needs resources where offered.[3]
  • Step 5: Keep copies of certifications and confirmations; if service is denied or interrupted, follow the utility's complaint process and consider filing with the CPUC if unresolved.[1]
Keep medical certification and enrollment confirmations readily accessible in case of outage or dispute.

FAQ

Who qualifies for Medical Baseline?
Customers with qualifying medical conditions or electrically powered life-support equipment may qualify; final determination is by the utility under CPUC program guidance.[1]
How do I enroll for Priority Restoration?
Contact your utility's priority or special-needs registration team and complete any required medical certification and forms listed on the utility webpage.[2]
Who enforces program rules and where do I file a complaint?
Start with your utility's customer service; unresolved complaints can be filed with the California Public Utilities Commission as described on the CPUC program page.[1]

How-To

  1. Confirm medical equipment and identify power-critical needs.
  2. Obtain certification from a licensed medical provider describing the need.
  3. Submit the Medical Baseline or priority registration to your utility via its online portal or mail per the utility instructions.[2]
  4. Register with City of San Jose emergency special-populations resources if available.[3]
  5. If service is interrupted or the utility denies enrollment, follow the utility appeal steps and consider filing a complaint with the CPUC.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Enroll with both your utility and local emergency services to improve protections.
  • Medical certification is normally required and must be kept current.
  • If the utility does not resolve a complaint, the CPUC provides a state-level complaint route.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] California Public Utilities Commission consumer resources
  2. [2] PG&E priority and Medical Baseline program
  3. [3] City of San Jose emergency special-populations

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