Protection from Abuse Order (PFA)

The following only applies to Pennsylvania customers in Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power customers.

Important to Know

If you currently have a valid Protection from Abuse order (PFA) or a court order issued by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction in this Commonwealth, which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against you, you have the following protections, regardless of your income:

  • Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power cannot shut off your electric service during the winter without Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC) permission.
  • Depending on your income, a special payment arrangement may be available.
  • You may not be held responsible for a bill in someone else's name, except where ordered by a court, district justice, or administrative agency.
  • You may not be required to pay a security deposit. If you are required to pay a security deposit, you may pay it over three payments.
  • You will receive additional notice prior to termination.
  • Except in emergencies, service may not be terminated on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, on a bank holiday, or on the day preceding a bank holiday, on a holiday observed by the utility or on the day preceding the holiday. A holiday observed by a utility means any day on which the business office of the utility is closed to observe a legal holiday, to attend utility meetings or functions or for any other reason. Service may not be terminated on a holiday observed by the Commission or on the day preceding the holiday.
  • Upon request, prior utility payment history will be considered for a new applicant.
  • The option of receiving a cash refund rather than an account credit is available when a deposit is returned. 
  • If the service is terminated, it will be restored within 24 hours once proof of payment or a valid medical certificate is received.

What is a PFA?

A PFA is an order from the court that protects you and your children from your abuser. It is a civil order that you can request on your own behalf against a family or household member who is abusing you. Under the law, abuse is considered:

  • Bodily injury or rape. Criminal charges do not need to be filed.
  • Reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
  • False imprisonment, including being kept or held for a short period of time or being grabbed by the arms and not allowed to move or leave.
  • Child abuse.
  • Stalking, including being followed or watched at home or at work, and/or being sent unwanted letters, gifts, email or telephone calls.

Domestic Violence Programs

Your local domestic violence hotline is available 24 hours a day, and all services are free and confidential. For more information, look in the blue pages of your local phone book, or call 1-800-799-SAFE for contact information.

Note: In order to receive these protections from Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, or West Penn Power you will be required to provide that company with a copy of your PFA Order or a court order issued by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction in this Commonwealth, which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against you. However, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power will not share this information with any third party.

This notice was prepared by interested parties in a collaborative effort at Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Docket No. M-00041802F0003, and Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power have been requested to post this notice on their website. This document is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as legal advice.

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