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 N - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY
PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS
Section 56.282 - Credit standards

(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:

(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.

(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.