Title: TenantNet - Getting and Keeping Gas and Electricity Service - When A Utility Company Can Terminate Service To Individual Households
Headings: A Tenant's Guide to Getting and Keeping Gas and Electricity Service
A Tenant's Guide to Getting and Keeping Gas and Electricity Service
IV. When A Utility Company Can Terminate Service To Individual Households
A. Termination due to an emergency
B. Termination for nonpayment
1. Notice you should receive prior to termination
2. Notice to the Human Resources Administration
3. Notice to third parties
C. What you can do to prevent or delay termination
1. Payment
2. Deferred payment agreements
3. Special protections
a. Medical emergency
(i) Life support systems
b. Elderly, blind or disabled
c. Heat-related service in winter

Content: Based on your financial circumstances, the utility company may approve a payment agreement with no downpayment and installments as low as $10 per month. If you agree to a deferred payment plan, you must make all the payments required by the plan. In addition, you must continue to pay your current utility bills. If you fail to make a payment required by the plan, the utility company can terminate your service. If you are more than 20 days late with an installment payment, the utility may send you a termination notice. The utility company must send you a reminder notice at least eight days before issuing a termination notice. If you are not able to make a payment, you should call the utility company before the pay date to let them know. The utility is more likely to excuse a late payment if they hear from you beforehand. If your financial circumstances change, you may be able to negotiate a new deferred payment agreement. You will have to tell the utility company about the changes in your income or expenses.