PG&E is faster and more caregiver-friendly than most financial institutions — the right path can get you account access the same day — but choosing the wrong path wastes weeks. This guide walks you through every option: using PG&E's online invitation feature when your loved one can still log in, completing the Third-Party Authorization form when they can't, setting up shutoff alerts without needing formal account access, and handling the account after a loved one passes. Whether you need full transaction authority or just a safety net, this guide tells you which path fits your situation and exactly how to follow it.
Four-path decision framework — Covers the online account access invitation, the Third-Party Authorization form, Third-Party Notification for monitoring only, and the account name change process after a loved one's death — with clear guidance on which path fits your situation before you start.
Online invitation walkthrough — Step-by-step instructions for helping your loved one send you an account access invitation through PG&E, what the three access levels include, and how to accept and activate access the same day.
Third-Party Authorization form process — Explains how to download, complete, and submit PG&E's authorization form, why each permission must be individually initialed rather than just signed at the bottom, and when notarization is required.
Third-Party Notification setup — Covers how to enroll as a monitoring contact to receive duplicate shutoff warnings and late notices, without taking on payment liability or needing formal account authority.
Estate and account transfer path — Explains what happens when the account holder passes away, why PG&E often treats a name change as a new account setup, and when it makes more sense to keep the account in the deceased's name temporarily during estate settlement.
Common rejection reasons and fixes — Addresses the issues that most frequently delay or derail caregiver access: missing initials on the authorization form, notarization gaps, expired invitations, and credit check surprises on account transfers.
Medical and life-safety protocols — Explains PG&E's Medical Baseline program for customers who rely on powered medical equipment, and how to flag life-safety situations when calling so your request is handled under the right protocols.
Timeline and expectations — Realistic breakdown of how long each path takes, from same-day online access to the two-to-four week process for estate transfers, including what causes delays and how to avoid them.
Actionable next-steps checklist — A path-by-path checklist of every task in sequence, so you know exactly what to do next regardless of which situation you're in.
Contact directory — Organized list of numbers for customer service, outage reporting, and special programs, plus guidance on the best times to call and how to navigate PG&E's regional service variations.