SOURCES OF LAW

I. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOKLET

II. HOW TO APPLY FOR SERVICE

A. The application process

PSL Section 31; 16 NYCRR Section 11.3

B. Reasons the utility company can deny service

PSL Section 31; 16 NYCRR Section 11.3

C. When a security deposit is required

PSL Section 36; 16 NYCRR Section 11.12

III. HOW THE BILLING PROCESS WORKS

PSL Section Section 38-39, Section Section 41-42;
Section 44; 16 NYCRR Section 11.11; Section Section 11.13-11.16

IV. WHEN UTILITY COMPANIES CAN TERMINATE SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALLY METERED HOUSEHOLDS

PSL Section 32; 16 NYCRR Section 11.4, Section 11.5

A. Termination due to an emergency

PSL Section 46; 16 NYCRR Section 11.18

B. Termination for nonpayment

16 NYCRR Section 11.4(a)

1. Notice you should receive prior to termination

16 NYCRR Section 11.4(b)-(d)

2. Notice to DSS

16 NYCRR Section 11.4(i)

3. Notice to third parties

PSL Section 40; 16 NYCRR Section 11.6

C. What may be done to prevent or delay termination

16 NYCRR Section 11.4 (e)-(g)

1. Payment

16 NYCRR Section 11.4(g)

2. Deferred payment agreements

PSL Section 37; 16 NYCRR Section 11.10

3. Special protections for some households

PSL Section 32(3); 16 NYCRR Section 11.5

a. Serious medical emergencies

PSL Section 32(3)(a); 16 NYCRR Section 11.5(a)

i. Life support systems

PSL Section 32(3)(a); 16 NYCRR Section 11.5(a)(5)

b. Customers who are elderly, blind or disabled

PSL Section 32(3)(b); 16 NYCRR Section 11.5(b)

c. Special procedures during cold weather periods

PSL Section 32(3)(c); 16 NYCRR Section 11.5(c)

V. WHEN UTILITY COMPANIES CAN TERMINATE SERVICE TO ENTIRE BUILDINGS

PSL Section Section 33-34; 16 NYCRR Section 11.7, Section 11.8

A. Notice you should receive prior to termination

16 NYCRR Section 11.7(a), Section 1l.8(b),(c),(f) and (g)

B. What may be done to prevent or delay termination

16 NYCRR Section 11.7(b)-(f), Section 11.8(d)

1. Special procedures during cold weather periods

16 NYCRR Section 11.7(g); 11.8(h)

VI. ILLEGAL TERMINATION OF SERVICE BY YOUR LANDLORD

VII. HOW TO HAVE YOUR SERVICE RECONNECTED

PSL Section 35; 16 NYCRR Section 9

VIII. SHARED METER LAW

PSL Section 52; 16 NYCRR Section Section 11.30-39

A. Landlord's responsibility for shared meter charges

PSL Section 52(1),(2); 16 NYCRR Section Section 11.30-31

B. Shared meter investigations

PSL Section 52(4), (5); 16 NYCRR Section Section 11.33-34

C. Termination of service to shared meter account

16 NYCRR Section 11.37

IX. METER SEIZURE

C.P.L.R. Article 71

X. HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

PSL Section 43; 16NYCRR Section 11.20

A. Complaints to the utility company

PSL Section 43; 16 NYCRR Section 11.20(a)

B. Complaints to the Public Service Commissioner

PSL Section 43; 16 NYCRR Section 11.20(b)

XI. HOW TO GET EMERGENCY HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SSL Section 131-s

A. Emergency grants to prevent termination of utilities

SSL Section 131-s

1. On-going recipients of Public Assistance

SSL Section 131-s(2)

2. Applicants for ongoing public assistance

SSL Section 131-s(1)

3. Households not eligible for public assistance

SSL Section 131-a

B. Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)

42 U.S.C. Section Section 8621, et seq.; SSL Section 97

1. Regular HEAP

42 U.S.C. Section Section 8621, et seq.; SSL Section 97

2. Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP)

42 U.S.C. Section Section 8621, et seq.; SSL Section 97