§ 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.
Authority The provisions of this § 56.282 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1301, 1401—1419, 1501 and 1509.
Source The provisions of this § 56.282 amended May 31, 2019, effective June 1, 2019, 49 Pa.B. 2815. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (359034) to (359035).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 56.283 (relating to cash deposits; third-party guarantors); and 52 Pa. Code § 56.302 (relating to deposit hold period and refund).
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