Section 56.291. General rule

A utility may require an existing customer to post a deposit to reestablish credit under the following circumstances:

(1) Delinquent accounts. Whenever a customer has been delinquent in the payment of any two consecutive bills or three or more bills within the preceding 12 months.

(i) Prior to requesting a deposit under this section, the utility shall give the customer written notification of its intent to request a cash deposit if current and future bills continue to be paid after the due date.

(A) Notification must clearly indicate that a deposit is not required at this time but that if bills continue to be paid after the due date a deposit will be required.

(B) Notification may be mailed or delivered to the customer together with a bill for utility service.

(C) Notification must set forth the address and phone number of the utility office where complaints or questions may be registered.

(D) A subsequent request for deposit must clearly indicate that a customer should register any question or complaint about that matter prior to the date the deposit is due to avoid having service terminated pending resolution of a dispute. The request must also include the address and telephone number of the utility office where questions or complaints may be registered.

(ii) Except in the case of adjustments to budget billing plans, a utility may issue a notification or subsequent request for a deposit based, in whole or in part, on a delinquent account arising out of a make-up bill as defined in § 56.264 (relating to previously unbilled utility service), under the following conditions:

(A) The utility has complied with § 56.264. Compliance with a payment agreement by the customer discharges the delinquency and a notification or request for deposit may not thereafter be issued based on the make-up bill.

(B) If a make-up bill exceeds the otherwise normal estimated bill by at least 50% and if the customer makes payment in full after the bill is delinquent but before a notification of intent to request a deposit is given to the customer, a notification or request for deposit may not thereafter be issued based on the make-up bill.

(2) Condition to the reconnection of service. A utility may require a deposit as a condition to reconnection of service following a termination.

(3) Failure to comply with payment agreement. A utility may require a deposit, whether or not service has been terminated, when a customer fails to comply with a material term or condition of a payment agreement.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 56.292 (relating to payment period for deposits by customers); and 52 Pa. Code § 56.323 (relating to unauthorized termination of service).