(A) A customer who temporarily becomes unable to timely and completely pay a monthly bill charge when due may contact the Utility Billing Office and file a written application for the establishment of a deferred payment plan to enable the customer to pay the account and avoid termination of utility service. The Utility Billing Manager shall review all applications to determine if the customer is eligible for a deferred payment plan.
(B) The following classes of customers are ineligible to request deferred payment plans.
(1) A customer whose utility service has been terminated for non-payment of all or part of a monthly billing, or other amount owed the utility, until all arrearages have been fully and completely paid.
(2) A customer with an account that is otherwise current who has defaulted in his obligation to make timely payments under a prior deferred payment plan within one year of the customer's current request.
(3) A customer who is currently making installment and surcharge payments under a prior deferred payment plan.
(C) When an application for a deferred payment plan is received from an ineligible customer, the Utility Billing Office shall notify the customer of the reason the customer is ineligible. The Utility Billing Office shall proceed as if the customer had not made the request.
(D) An eligible customer, whose request is timely filed, shall be scheduled for an appointment with a representative, shall discuss the matter with the customer, and shall determine a suitable deferred payment plan. The plan shall become effective on the signing of the agreement by the utility representative and the customer, which shall be executed within five days after its submission to the customer. A failure to execute a deferred payment agreement within this time frame shall permit the utility to act as if it were not submitted.
(E) No deferred payment plan shall be established which does not meet the following minimum requirements.
(1) An initial payment of at least 25% of the outstanding balance covered under the deferred payment plan, payable at the time of the customer's written acceptance of the deferred payment agreement.
(2) A maximum of 5 subsequent monthly installment payments of at least 15% of the outstanding balance under the deferred payment plan; each installment due 30 days after payment of the prior payment.
(3) A monthly surcharge of l% of the customer's outstanding balance under the deferred payment account, payable at the time each installment is due.
(4) An agreement between the customer and the utility, that the customer's failure to make timely payments in accordance with the deferred payment plan, shall subject the customer to summary termination of utility service within 72 hours after the default under the plan, in lieu of the procedure under § 50.26.