52 Pa. Code § 56.282 - Credit standards
A public utility shall provide residential service without requiring a deposit when the applicant satisfies one of the following requirements:
(1)
Prior public
utility payment history. The applicant has been a recipient of public
utility service of a similar type within a period of 24 consecutive months
preceding the date of the application and was primarily responsible for payment
for the service, so long as:
(i) The average
periodic bill for the service was equal to at least 50% of that estimated for
new service.
(ii) The service of
the applicant was not terminated for nonpayment during the last 12 consecutive
months of that prior service.
(iii)
The applicant does not have an unpaid balance from that prior
service.
(2)
Ownership of real property. The applicant owns or has entered
into an agreement to purchase real property located in the area served by the
public utility or is renting the applicant's place of residence under a lease
of 1 year or longer in duration, unless the applicant has an otherwise
unsatisfactory credit history as a public utility customer within 2 years prior
to the application for service.
(3)
Credit information. The applicant provides information
demonstrating that the applicant is not an unsatisfactory credit risk.
(i) The absence of prior credit history does
not, of itself, indicate an unsatisfactory risk.
(ii) The public utility may request and
consider information including:
(A) The name
of the employer of the applicant.
(B) The place and length of
employment.
(C) Residences during
the previous 5 years.
(D) Letters
of reference.
(E) Credit
cards.
(F) Significant source of
income other than from employment.
(iii) Public utilities shall take appropriate
actions needed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of identification
information provided by their applicants and customers.
(4)
Cash deposit
prohibition. A public utility may not require a cash deposit from an
applicant who is, based upon household income, confirmed to be eligible for a
customer assistance program. An applicant is confirmed to be eligible for a
customer assistance program by the public utility if the applicant provides
income documents or other information attesting to his or her eligibility for
State benefits based on household income eligibility requirements that are
consistent with those of the public utility's customer assistance
programs.
Notes
The provisions of this § 56.282 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1301, 1401-1419, 1501 and 1509.
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