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A utility shutoff notice in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

A household with an electric or gas disconnect notice can apply to its local LIHEAP energy agency for crisis help, which federal law requires within 48 hours of applying, or 18 hours when the situation is life-threatening. This page lists the order of calls, the CARE discount from the utility, and 211 for local help, each from the official page.

What happens when a utility sends a shutoff notice

A disconnect notice is the situation LIHEAP's Energy Crisis Intervention Program is for (s_csd_ecip). Federal law gives the program 48 hours from the application to provide help that resolves the crisis, or 18 hours when the household is in a life-threatening situation (s_lii_42usc8623_48, s_lii_42usc8623_18). The utility itself runs CARE, a 30 to 35% electric and 20% gas discount for income-qualified customers (s_cpuc_care_discount). 2-1-1 finds other local help at any hour (s_csd_211).

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
3 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""Call the local LIHEAP energy agency the same day and apply for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program; a disconnect notice is the crisis the program is for. Say if anyone in the home could be in danger without power or heat."
"program_id""B045"
"deadline""Federal law requires some form of help that resolves the crisis not later than 48 hours after an eligible household applies, or 18 hours if the household is in a life-threatening situation."
"source""s_lii_42usc8623_48"
"program_slug""california-liheap"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""Call the utility's assistance number and ask to enroll in CARE, which cuts the electric bill 30 to 35% and the gas bill 20% for income-qualified customers."
"program_id""B043"
"deadline""UNKNOWN: the CPUC page states no enrollment deadline."
"source""s_cpuc_care_discount"
"program_slug""california-care-energy-discount"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""Call 2-1-1 for other local help with the bill."
"program_id""B067"
"deadline""Answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
"source""s_csd_211"
"program_slug""california-211"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

Each line is the agency's own rule, with the source id it was read from on 9 October 2026.

ProgramRuleDaysCounted fromSource
B045Crisis assistance not later than 48 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, if eligiblenot stated as a numberthe time the household appliess_lii_42usc8623_48
B045Crisis assistance not later than 18 hours after a household applies, if eligible and in a life-threatening situationnot stated as a numberthe time the household appliess_lii_42usc8623_18

Documents to gather

Only documents an official page names are listed.

  • The disconnect notice or termination notice from the utility (B045; s_csd_ecip)
  • The utility bill and proof of household income; the local energy agency determines eligibility (B045; s_csd_local_agency)

Programs this event opens

Official addresses

  • Energy crisis help: CSD LIHEAP, which lists the local energy agency for each county
  • CARE and FERA discounts: CPUC CARE/FERA Program; utility assistance lines from that page: PG&E 866-743-2273, Edison 866-675-6623, SDG&E 800-411-7343, SoCalGas 800-427-2200
  • Local help: dial 2-1-1
  • The federal crisis rule: 42 U.S.C. 8623
Related pages
References (9)
  1. 42 U.S.C. 8623(c) Energy crisis intervention — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the United States Code“not later than 48 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, provide some form of assistance that will resolve the energy crisis”
  2. 42 U.S.C. 8623(c) Energy crisis intervention: life-threatening situations — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the United States Code“and is in a life-threatening situation”
  3. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Energy Crisis Intervention Program — California Department of Community Services and Development“Such an example would be a household receiving a 24-48 hour disconnect notice or service termination by their utility company.”
  4. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: income eligibility — California Department of Community Services and Development“contact your local energy agency to determine your eligibility”
  5. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: California 2-1-1 — California Department of Community Services and Development“2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need. Residents can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
  6. CARE/FERA Program — California Public Utilities Commission“Low-income customers enrolled in the CARE program receive:”
  7. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: other utility assistance (CARE) — California Department of Community Services and Development“can potentially receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and potentially a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill”
  8. CARE/FERA Program: gas discount — California Public Utilities Commission“20% discount on their natural gas bill”
  9. CARE/FERA Program: how to apply — California Public Utilities Commission“To request an application form or for more information, please contact your utility company or visit their websites.”