Both the Pennsylvania and New York Utility Commissions allow a deposit to be charged based on customer classification and payment history.
Click on the links below for deposit requirements:
Pennsylvania Customers
Residential Customers
You may be charged a deposit as a NEW customer if you:
- Were a previous customer and either your service was involuntarily terminated or you have a previously unpaid balance.
- Your credit score does not pass a credit scoring assessment.
You may be charged a deposit as an EXISTING customer if you:
- have you have been late in paying two bills in a row or three or more bills in the last year.
- have failed to make payments according to a payment schedule set up to pay past-due bills.
- have had service shut off because of unpaid bills.
Deposits are billed at twice the customer’s average monthly usage. For example, an account with an average monthly usage of $50.00 will be billed a deposit of $100.00.
You may satisfy the request for the deposit by doing either one of the following two options:
- To pay the deposit in full or in three (3) installment payments: 50% before service will be activated, 25% is due in 30 days, and 25% at the end of 60 days, or
- Instead of paying a cash deposit, you can have another credit-worthy person sign a form guaranteeing that your bills will be paid. If you miss a payment, this person is responsible for paying all missed payments owed to the utility. The guarantor must be able to establish credit by showing an account with a timely payment history that contains no prior service terminations or by passing a credit scoring assessment.
Deposits are refunded after a timely payment history is established or for a maximum period of 24 months. Timely payment history is established when a customer has paid in full and on time for 12 consecutive months.
Commercial Customers
All commercial customers are charged a security deposit which must be paid before the service will be activated.
Deposits are billed at twice the customer’s average monthly usage. For example, an account with an average monthly usage of $50.00 will be billed a deposit of $100.00.
The deposit remains on file until the account has been closed and terminated.
New York Customers
Residential Customers
As a residential customer, you will be required to pay a deposit if:
- You had your service shut off for nonpayment of bills within the last six months.
- You did not pay two or more bills in a row without making a partial payment of at least half the amount you owe.
- You are a short-term or seasonal customer. A short-term customer wants service for less than a year and a seasonal customer receives service periodically each year.
Deposits are billed at twice the customer’s average monthly usage. For example, an account with an average monthly usage of $50.00 will be billed a deposit of $100.00.
You have the option to pay the deposit in full or in installments for up to 12 months.
Deposits are refunded with interest on your deposit, if after a year, your payments have been current.
Commercial Customers
All commercial customers are charged a security deposit which must be paid before the service will be activated.
Deposits are billed at twice the customer’s average monthly usage. For example, an account with an average monthly usage of $50.00 will be billed a deposit of $100.00.
Deposits are held for a minimum of 36 months. If during this period all bills are paid on time, the deposit plus interest will be refunded. Otherwise, we will hold the deposit and credit the interest to your account yearly.
