23 CAR § 455-509. Extended due date policy

(a)(1) Utilities must offer an extended due date policy to customers qualifying under subsection (c) of this section. (2) This is intended to enable utilities to change a qualifying customer’s utility bill payment due date to coincide with or follow the customer’s receipt of that income. (3) Customers who qualify under this policy and pay by the new date will not be considered late on their utility payments. (4) When a customer applies for an extended due date, utilities shall explain the policy and give the explanation to the customer in writing. (b)(1) Each utility shall file an extended due date policy as a tariff for Arkansas Public Service Commission approval. (2) A policy must include: (A) Who may qualify; (B) How to apply; and (C) The method for setting the extended due date. (c)(1) The following customers qualify for an extended due date: (A) Persons receiving: (i) Aid to Families with Dependent Children; or (ii) Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled; (B) Persons receiving Supplemental Security Income; or (C) Persons whose primary source of income is Social Security or Veterans’ Administration disability or retirement benefits. (2) The utility may require verification of the above sources of income. (d)(1) Utilities may remove a customer’s extended due date because the customer did not pay bills: (A) By the close of business on the due date two (2) times in a row; or (B) Any three (3) times in the last twelve (12) months. (2) Utilities shall notify customers in writing when the extended due date has been removed for late payment. (e) Utilities may impose a late payment charge on plan participants who do not pay by the extended due date.