Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Service Commission
Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service
Part 8 - PROCEDURES FOR SHUTOFF AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
Section R. 460.140 - Form of notice
Universal Citation: MI Admin Code R. 460.140
Current through Vol. 24-04, March 15, 2024
Rule 40.
(1) A notice of shut off of service shall contain all of the following information:
(a) The name and address of the customer, and
the address at which service is provided, if different.
(b) A clear and concise statement of the
reason for the proposed shut off of service.
(c) The date on or after which the utility
may shut off service, unless the customer takes appropriate action.
(d) That the residential and small
nonresidential customer may have the right to enter into a payment plan with
the utility for an amount owed to the utility that is not in dispute and that
the customer is presently unable to pay in full.
(e) That the residential and small
nonresidential customer may have the right to enter into a settlement agreement
with the utility if the claim is for an amount that is in dispute.
(f) That the customer has the right to file a
complaint disputing the claim of the utility before the proposed date of the
shut off of service.
(g) That the
customer has the right to request a hearing before a hearing officer if the
customer disputes the reasonableness of the payment plan or settlement
agreement offered by the utility or if the complaint cannot be otherwise
resolved and that the customer must pay to the utility that portion of the bill
that is not in dispute within 10 business days of the date that the customer
requests a hearing.
(h) That the
customer has the right to represent himself or herself, to be represented by
counsel, or to be assisted by other persons of his or her choice in the
complaint process.
(i) That the
utility will not shut off service pending the resolution of a complaint that is
filed with the utility or the commission pursuant to these rules.
(j) The telephone number and address of the
utility where the customer may make inquiry, enter into a payment plan or
settlement agreement, or file a complaint.
(k) That the utility may require a deposit
and restoration charge if the utility shuts off service for nonpayment of a
delinquent account or for unauthorized use of utility service.
(2) For residential customers a notice of shut off of service shall also contain all of the following information:
(a) A combination utility shall
include all of the following information on disconnection notices for eligible
low-income customers whose natural gas and electric services are combined:
(i) The amounts for both natural gas and
electric service, listed separately.
(ii) That the customer has the option of
choosing 1 of his or her services to retain with the appropriate
payment.
(iii) That the customer
may have the option to enter into a payment plan for both natural gas and
electric service, or to retain either natural gas or electric service as chosen
by the customer.
(b)
That the customer should contact a social services agency immediately if the
customer believes he or she might be eligible for an energy assistance program
or other emergency economic assistance and should inform the utility of any
efforts being made to obtain payment assistance.
(c) That customers who believe they may be
eligible for assistance from an energy assistance program should determine if
assistance is available before enrolling in a payment plan because many
agencies may not provide assistance if shut off is avoided by signing a
settlement agreement.
(d) That
during the heating season the utility will postpone shut off of service if a
customer is an eligible low-income customer that enters into a winter
protection payment plan with the utility and the customer provides
documentation that the customer is actively seeking emergency assistance from
an energy assistance program.
(e)
The energy assistance telephone line number at the department of health and
human services or an operating 2-1-1 system telephone number.
(f) That the utility will postpone the shut
off of service if a certified medical emergency exists at the customer's
residence and the customer informs and provides documentation to the utility of
that medical emergency.
(g) That
the customer should contact the utility for information about a shutoff
protection program.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Michigan may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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