No light for Hospice man

Daxgirl

New Member
Jurisdiction
California
2 weeks without electricity! my friend Terry has cancer, she is getting chemo every other week. She is also her dads caretaker, he is on hospice, and has dimentia, alhiemers among many other medical issues. Terry has lived at this residence with her dad for almost 11 months, 2 weeks ago her electricity gets shut off, light company says she has to pay $1000. For a bill thats not hers. To reacctivate service. Her immune system is week and vulnerable due to chemo, her father requires medical devices for his health. What can she do to restore service now, while they look into who owes the $1000.
 
2 weeks without electricity! my friend Terry has cancer, she is getting chemo every other week. She is also her dads caretaker, he is on hospice, and has dimentia, alhiemers among many other medical issues. Terry has lived at this residence with her dad for almost 11 months, 2 weeks ago her electricity gets shut off, light company says she has to pay $1000. For a bill thats not hers. To reacctivate service. Her immune system is week and vulnerable due to chemo, her father requires medical devices for his health. What can she do to restore service now, while they look into who owes the $1000.


The person can contact the utility companies and make her/his case for the utilities to be activated on the grounds of medical necessity.

The person can also contact various charities to seek assistance with having the utilities paid, if she/he can no longer pay the utilities.

State Social Services might also need to be contacted, especially the agency or bureau that assists with care for senior citizens.

City Hall, as in the Mayor's Office can often provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers of agencies that will assist people in dire straights; as will the local police or sheriff.

Hospitals (social work department) might also have such information.

The Salvation Army can offer emergency assistance.

If a person is a veteran, the VA or state VA can also offer emergency grants.
 
Still no power!

The power won't be turned on until someone does something affirmative.

In fact, during cold weather in some states electric and gas utilities aren't allowed to terminate services for unpaid debts.



State Disconnection Policies | The LIHEAP Clearinghouse



Here's how it works in Cali:


Customer who provides certification from licensed physician that service termination will be lifethreatening and who is unable to pay in normal period shall be permitted to amortize over a period not to exceed 12 months.

Deferred Payment: Customers unable to make payment may be eligible for amortization agreements not to exceed 12 months.

PUC/PSC Contact - Consumer line: 800-649-7570
Consumer FAQ/Bill of Rights - www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/CEC/a_index.htm

Complaint form - https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/cimsapp/
 
Things got worse, electricity has been on for a week now, but a social worker was sent over to the house and removed her father because the electricity was shot off for those weeks. During the time when the electricity was off we had the refrigerator plugged into a generator, the refrigerator and generator both stopped working. Since then my friend bought a $500.00 part to repair the fridge. She also has a freezer in the garage full of food and pantries are well stocked. The social worker said she was removing her dad because the fridge isnt working. (Milk and dairy products etc.... Are on ice in the freezer section of Frigidaire.) Social worker claims that its unsafe living conditions for her dad. There is no rotten food, and the house is always kept clean. What can my friend do? She is overwhelmed with stress and confusion. Please help!
 
Someone needs to consult with a licensed attorney and learn what legal remedies, IF ANY, are available.

Note, sometimes there are no useful legal remedies.
 
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