Section VII – Collection & Disconnect Procedures for Nonpayment

A. Termination of Service for Nonpayment

Accounts which are delinquent more than 30 days are subject to having natural gas service disconnected. The Cooperative, prior to disconnecting said delinquent service, shall issue a balance forward on the monthly bill indicating the delinquent amount, which shall serve as the delinquent notice at least 10 days prior to the date for disconnection. Failure of the Member to receive the bill/notice does not relieve the Member of responsibility for timely payment.

If the delinquent amount of the account is not fully paid prior to the disconnect date indicated on the delinquent notice, the natural gas service may be terminated without any further notice to the Member.

*To comply with the federal Red Flag Rules regarding identity theft and for employee safety, payments will not be accepted in the field.

The Cooperative will only disconnect natural gas service for nonpayment during normal business hours. The Cooperative will not disconnect for nonpayment after 12:30 PM on days preceding holidays or on Fridays.

B. Payment Arrangements

The Cooperative reserves the right to offer payment arrangements for delinquent accounts:

Members failing to meet the commitments on any payment arrangement are in default of their payment arrangement and shall be subject to immediate termination of natural gas service.

C. Reconnection of Natural Gas Service Disconnected for Nonpayment

Accounts, which have been disconnected for nonpayment, shall be reconnected following payment in full of the delinquent amount, the current billing, a security deposit and any applicable fees. A reconnect fee shall be assessed for any service disconnected for non-payment according to the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

D. 30 Day Medical Certificate

Any Member subject to termination of their natural gas service for non-payment with a medical condition dependent upon natural gas service that without natural gas service would be “Especially Dangerous or Life Threatening” to the health of the Member, family Member residing in the home or individual under the care of the Member, is required to have a licensed physician or local Board of Health physician complete a 30 Day Medical Certificate. Provided the 30-Day Medical Certificate is completed by a licensed physician or local Board of Health physician and returned to the Cooperative office within seven days of the Member’s request for special consideration, natural gas service shall not be terminated for non-payment during the term of the certificate. The 30-Day Medical Certificate is renewable three consecutive times for a maximum of 90 days.