A method and apparatus for managing power for devices that may be part of a group is provided herein. During operation a power-management device will transmit a power-management message to a device or group of devices. The message indicates a time period (keep-alive time) and critical services that are to be kept operating for the keep-alive time. In response, the device(s) that receive the message may transmit an information message indicating whether or not a device has enough power to run the services for the keep-alive time.