S.C. Code Regs. § § 103-452

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 103-452 - Procedures for Termination of Service

Prior to the termination of gas service pursuant to 103-442 e-m, the following procedures shall be employed by the gas utility:

a. Not less than ten days prior to termination of service, the gas 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 hours of the person(s) to be contacted by the customer for the arrangement of a personal interview with an employee of the gas utility with the authority to accept full payment or make other payment arrangements.

2. The total amount owed by the customer for gas 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 58-5-1110 et. seq., as amended. All gas 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 gas 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 in full the amount of the charges due for gas service or 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 gas 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 and include the ORS's toll free telephone number.

b. Not more than two business days prior to termination of service, the gas utility shall make reasonable efforts either by telephone or in person to contact the customer 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 gas utility shall notify the customer by mail that he is subject to termination of service for non-payment. The gas 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 gas 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 gas service. The deferred payment plan shall require the affected customer to maintain his account current and pay not less than one-sixth of the outstanding balance for a period not to exceed six months. The outstanding balance may include the late payment charge authorized by regulation 103-439(3). Service to such customer shall not be terminated unless the gas 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 gas 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 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 gas 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 gas utility shall maintain a record of all deferred payment plans established with customer subject to termination for a period of two years.

f. The gas 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. The gas service may be 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. Gas service may not be terminated on the day preceding any day on which the gas 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 gas utilities assigned to terminate service shall be authorized to accept payment from customers subject to termination of service or in lieu thereof, at the utilities' 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 utility; provided, however, that in certain areas where it has been determined by the utility that the safety of its employees warrants it, those employees shall not be required to accept payments from customers subject to termination.

S.C. Code Regs. § 103-452

Added by State Register Volume 5, eff April 24, 1981. Amended by State Register Volume 14, Issue No. 3, eff March 23, 1990; State Register Volume 18, Issue No. 3, eff March 25, 1994; State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008.