Md. Code Regs. 20.31.01.08 - Alternate Payment Plans
A. Except as
provided under §D of this regulation, if a low income customer is unable
to pay the charges for service, the utility shall in good faith attempt to
negotiate a reasonable alternate payment plan.
B. Except as provided under §§A and
D of this regulation, if a customer is unable to pay the charges for service,
the utility may in good faith attempt to negotiate a reasonable alternate
payment plan.
C. For purposes of
this regulation, "alternate payment plan" means a payment plan provided to
avoid termination of service and retire all outstanding charges to the
utility.
D. A utility may refuse to
negotiate or offer an alternate payment plan to a customer receiving service,
if the customer:
(1) Failed to meet the terms
and conditions of any alternate payment plan during the past 18 months
including:
(a) A USPP alternate payment plan;
or
(b) A plan arranged under the
EUSP;
(2) Committed
fraud against a utility;
(3)
Committed theft of utility service; or
(4) Denied the utility access to its
equipment located on the customer's property or premises.
E. When devising alternate payment plans, the
utility shall consider the circumstances and financial condition of the
customer including:
(1) The size of the
delinquent account;
(2) The
customer's ability to pay;
(3) The
customer's payment history;
(4) The
anticipated energy assistance benefits for which the customer may be
eligible;
(5) The length of time
that the debt has been outstanding;
(6) The circumstances which resulted in the
past due bills;
(7) Hardships which
may result from the lack of utility service to the customer; and
(8) Any other relevant factors related to the
circumstances of the customer.
F. If an alternate payment plan cannot be
arranged, the utility shall promptly notify the customer.
G. If a customer fails to adhere to the
alternate payment plan, the utility shall notify the customer that termination
procedures may be begun pursuant to this subtitle.
Notes
Regulation .08 amended as an emergency provision effective January 1, 2003 (30:5 Md. R. 364); amended permanently effective June 23, 2003 (30:12 Md. R. 792)
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