Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Service Commission
Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service
Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Section R. 460.131 - Winter protection plan for eligible low-income customers
Current through Vol. 24-04, March 15, 2024
Rule 31.
(1) Except where unauthorized use of utility service has occurred, a utility shall not shut off service to an eligible low-income customer during the heating season for nonpayment of a delinquent account if the customer pays to the utility a monthly amount equal to 7% of the estimated annual bill for the eligible customer and the eligible customer demonstrates, within 14 days of requesting shutoff protection, that he or she has made application for state or federal heating assistance. If an arrearage exists at the time an eligible low-income customer applies for protection from shut off of service during the heating season, the utility shall permit the customer to pay the arrearage in equal monthly installments between the date of application and the start of the subsequent heating season.
(2) A utility may shut off service to an eligible low-income customer who does not pay the monthly amounts referred to in subrule (1) of this rule after giving notice in the manner required by these rules.
(3) If an eligible low-income customer fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this rule, a utility may shut off service after giving the customer notice, by personal service or first-class mail, which contains all of the following information:
(4) At the conclusion of the heating season, the utility shall reconcile the accounts of eligible low-income customers and permit customers to pay any amounts owing in equal monthly installments between April 1 and October 31. A utility may shut off service to eligible customers who fail to make installment payments on a timely basis in the manner required by these rules.
(5) Except where unauthorized use of utility service has occurred at a customer's premises within the past 2 years and the bill remains unpaid, during the heating season a utility shall not require an eligible low-income customer, whose utility service has been shut off, to pay a fee for restoring service or a security deposit pursuant to R 460.109 or R 460.111, before applying for protection under this rule.
(6) Except where unauthorized use of utility service has occurred within the past 2 years at the premises where the customer has resided and the bill remains unpaid or safety is a concern, a utility may not require an amount greater than 1/12 of an arrearage owed to restore service or initiate participation in the winter protection plan.
(7) Winter protection provisions of these rules do not apply to customers who have been shut off or who have a pending shut off for unauthorized use of utility service within the past 2 years at the customer's current premises until all charges are paid pursuant to these rules or satisfactory payment arrangements are made with the utility.
(8) Upon request, the utility shall provide customers who enroll in the winter protection program with documentation that they are participating in the program.
(9) Bills issued to customers participating in the winter protection program shall clearly identify the minimum amount that the customer must pay to prevent shut off of service. Utilities may bill at higher amounts to recover past due amounts and the utility may encourage customers to pay amounts in excess of the minimum provided that the minimum payment is clearly designated on the bill.
(10) Subject to prior commission approval, a utility may offer an optional shutoff protection program to its customers, provided that the optional shutoff protection program offers eligibility and shutoff protection that meets or exceeds the eligibility criteria and customer protections contained in subrule (1) of this rule.