Pennsylvania Code
Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES
Part I - Public Utility Commission
Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities
Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE
Subchapter C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY
PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS
Section 56.36 - Written procedures

(1) Reasons for denial of credit. If credit is denied, the public utility shall inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial within 3 business days of the denial. This information may be provided electronically to the applicant with the applicant's consent. The written denial statement must include the provider of the credit score, information on the applicant's ability to challenge the accuracy of the credit score and how to contact the credit score provider. If the public utility is requiring payment of an unpaid balance in accordance with § 56.35, the public utility shall specify in writing the amount of the unpaid balance, the dates during which the balance accrued and the location and customer name at which the balance accrued. The statement must inform the applicant of the right to furnish a third-party guarantor in accordance with § 56.33 (relating to third-party guarantors) and the right to contact the Commission. The statement must include information informing victims of domestic violence with a protection from abuse order, or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence, that more lenient credit and liability standards may be available. The statement must also inform the applicant that if he or she is, based upon household income, confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program a deposit is not required. The public utility shall inform the applicant of the procedures and documentation necessary to qualify for an exemption from a security deposit requirement.

(2) Informing applicants of procedures. Public utility personnel shall fully explain the credit and deposit procedures of the public utility to each customer or applicant for service.

(3) Third-party requests for service. Requests from third parties to establish public utility service on behalf of an applicant will not be honored until the public utility has verified the legitimacy of the request. Verification may be accomplished by any means appropriate to confirm that the applicant consents to service being established or that the third party is authorized to act on the applicant's behalf.