Rule 515-12-1-.28 - Telephone Service DisconnectionIn the event of a proposed disconnection of residential basic local service only, the following procedures shall apply:
(a) No basic residential service shall be disconnected for local service charge until at least 29 days from the date of the bill.(b) No residential service can be disconnected for local service charges unless the utility has given the affected customer a written notice of the proposed disconnection at least five (5) days before the proposed date of disconnection. The notice must include: 1. The final payment date of the amount due;2. The reason for the disconnection, including the unpaid balance due;3. A telephone number which the customer may call for information about the proposed disconnection; and4. The procedure for medical emergencies, as hereinafter described.(c) If contact with the customer was not previously made and notice of the disconnection was by mail or by leaving it at the premises, the utility must make a good faith effort to contact the customer at least two (2) days before the proposed disconnection.(d) Service shall not be disconnected for nonpayment of local service charges to a residential customer who has a serious illness which would be aggravated by said discontinuation, provided that the customer notifies the utility of this condition in writing, or orally and within ten (10) days of giving such initial notice furnishes to the utility a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital, or clinic identifying the illness and its expected duration, and certifying that the illness would be aggravated by such discontinuance. In such event, the proposed disconnection shall be held in abeyance for the shorter of either the length of the illness or one month from the date of such initial notice, and the customer may renew the postponement period one additional time by repeating the aforementioned procedure. If there is a dispute regarding the existence of a serious illness, the case may be referred to the Commission for final determination.(e) In the case of a disputed bill for basic local exchange residential service, the customer shall have the right, after all remedial measures with the utility have failed, to request in writing, or orally to be followed by a request in writing, that the Commission investigate the dispute before residential service may be disconnected. Such request must be made within ten (10) days after the date of the disputed bill.(f) No consumer may be disconnected for unpaid residential local service if the consumer notifies the telephone company between the date of receiving a notification of the proposed disconnection of service and the date set for disconnection and agrees to pay the unpaid balance for service previously provided in equal installments over the three consecutive billing months immediately following said notice. Further, the consumer agrees to pay future bills and the installments by the date due. However, if a consumer has received a notice of intent to disconnect, at any time prior to the time when the consumer is once again current in his billings for service previously provided, if the consumer makes toll calls exceeding $10.00 in any thirty (30) day period, the telephone company shall have the right to immediately and without further notice, disconnect telephone service to that consumer. Similarly, if the consumer fails to make any agreed upon payment as set forth immediately above, the company may disconnect service without further notice.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-12-1-.28
Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 125; 1907, pp. 72, 75; 1922, pp. 143, 144; 1964, p. 338; 1972, pp. 138, 439; 1973, pp. 677-681; 1975, p. 406.
Original Rule entitled "Telephone Service Disconnection" was filed as Emergency Rule 515-12-1-0.3-.28 on November 27, 1979, having been adopted November 20, 1979 to become effective November 21, 1979, and to remain in effect until January 1, 1980, as specified by the Agency.Amended: Permanent Rule entitled "Telephone Service Disconnection" has been adopted replacing Emergency Rule 515-12-1-0.3-.28. Filed November 27, 1979; effective January 1, 1980, as specified by the Agency.