South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 103 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Article 3 - ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
Subarticle 4 - CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Section 103-352 - Procedures for Termination of Service

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 103-352

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

Prior to the termination of electric service pursuant to R.103-342 e.-m., the following procedures shall be employed by the electrical utility.

a. Not less than ten (10) days prior to termination of service, the electrical utility shall mail a notice of termination to the affected customer. The notice of termination of service shall include, as a minimum, the following information:

1. Address, telephone number and working house of the person(s) to be contacted by the customer for the arrangement of a personal interview with an employee of the electrical utility with the authority to accept full payment or make other payment arrangements.

2. The total amount owed by the customer for electrical services rendered, the date and amount of the last payment and the date by which the customer must either pay in full the amount outstanding or make satisfactory arrangements for payment by installments of such amount.

3. Special Needs Customers.
a. A statement that service to a residential customer who qualifies as a special needs account customer shall only be terminated in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. Section 58-27-2510 et. seq., as amended. All electrical utilities shall publish their procedures for termination of service on their websites.

b. The statement that service to a residential customer during the months of December through March will not be terminated where such customer, or a member of his household at the premises to which service is rendered, can furnish to the utility, no less than (3) days prior to termination of service or to the terminating crew at time of termination, a certificate on a form provided by the utility and signed by a licensed physician, that termination of electric service would be especially dangerous to such person's health. Such certificate must be signed by the customer and state that such customer is unable to pay by installments. A certification shall expire on the thirty-first day from the date of execution by the physician. Such certification may be renewed no more than three (3) times for an additional thirty (30) day period each. Upon renewal of the certification, the electrical utility shall advise the customer that he may wish to call the local social service agency to determine what public or private assistance may be available to him.

4. The availability of investigation and review of any unresolved dispute by the ORS Staff and include the ORS's toll free telephone number.

b. Not more than two business days prior to termination of service, the electrical utility shall make reasonable efforts either by telephone or in person to contact the customers that are subject to termination of service to notify him that his service is subject to termination for non-payment. Alternatively, not more than three business days prior to termination of service, the electrical utility shall notify the customer by mail that he is subject to termination of service for non-payment. The electrical utility shall maintain records of the efforts made to contact such customers. Termination of service may be delayed in case of inclement weather, emergencies or operational conflicts.

c. The electrical utility shall provide for the arrangement of a deferred payment plan to enable a residential customer to make payment by installments where such customer is unable to pay the amount due for electrical service. The deferred payment plan shall require the affected customer to maintain his account current and pay not less than 1/6 of the outstanding balance for a period not to exceed six months. The outstanding balance may include the late payment charge authorized by regulation 103-339(3). Service to such customer shall not be terminated unless the electrical utility has informed the customer that such deferred payment plan is available. Any agreement to extend or defer a payment cut off date by more than five work days is a deferred payment plan. If a customer fails to conform to the terms and conditions of such deferred payment plan, the electrical utility may terminate service upon three days written notice, if personally delivered, or upon five days notice by mail.

d. If a residential customer informs the electrical utility that he is unable to make payment in full on his account or to make arrangements for the satisfaction of the balance of his account through a deferred payment plan, the electrical utility shall advise the customer that he may wish to call the local social service agency to determine what public or private assistance may be available to the customer.

e. The electrical utility shall maintain a record of all deferred payment plans established with customer subject to termination for a period of two years.

f. The electrical utility shall provide a copy of the termination notice to any third party identified by the customer upon establishment of the service account or at any time thereafter.

g. Electric service maybe terminated only on Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., unless provisions have been made for the availability of the acceptance of payment and the reconnection of service. Electric service may not be terminated on the day preceding any day on which the electric utility's collection offices are closed, unless provisions have been made for the availability of the acceptance of payment and the reconnection of service. All employees of electrical utilities assigned to terminate service shall be authorized to accept payment from customers subject to termination of service or in lieu thereof, at the electrical utility's option, allow such customer at least one full working day beyond the initial date set for termination the opportunity to make satisfactory arrangements on the account at the offices of the electrical utility; provided, however, that in certain areas where it has been determined by the electrical utility that the safety of its employees warrants it, those employees shall not be required to accept payments from customers subject to termination.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina 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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