Security Deposit

Whether you are a new or existing customer, we check your credit history and level of credit risk to determine if you are required to pay a security deposit.  If you are a new customer, you also may be asked to provide your Social Security number, Tax ID, photo ID, and/or proof of ownership or occupancy.

Security deposit requirements are determined solely on your individual credit record.  They will not be assessed because of where you live, your race, sex, age, national origin or marital status. 

Options for paying security deposits will depend on various factors, including the state and classification of service (residential or nonresidential). 

Please click on your state below for further information.  

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What determines if I need to pay a security deposit?

    Move In (Start or Transferring Service)

    New Customer
    If you are a first-time customer applying for new service, the utility company has the right to check your credit history and level of credit risk to determine whether a security deposit is necessary.  You may also be asked to provide your social security number, Tax ID, photo ID, and/or proof of ownership or occupancy.  If you have an unacceptable credit score acquired through a credit bureau, a security deposit will be required.

    Customer Transferring Service
    If you have an existing account or had a prior account for the same class, we may use your payment history to determine whether a security deposit will be required for your new account.  If you do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit score assessment, you may be required to provide a security deposit.

    Customers with Past Due Accounts
     If you are a current customer with past due bills, a security deposit can be assessed.  Depending upon your state's rules and regulations, you will be notified via a letter, bill message, and/or phone call indicating that a security deposit is required.

    What payment options or alternatives are available for security deposits?

    Security deposit payment options and alternatives vary by state and whether you are a residential or nonresidential customer.  Select your state below to see what options are available for you.  If you have questions, please contact us.

    Do I earn interest on my security deposit?

    Yes, you will earn interest on your security deposit and it will be applied monthly to your account.  The interest rate varies by state, classification of service (residential or nonresidential) and year.  Select your state below for additional information.

    How and when will I get the security deposit back?

    Accounts are reviewed prior to releasing security deposits.  The release of security deposits varies by state, circumstances and account status.  All security deposits that are still being held when service is discontinued will either be returned to you or applied to your final bill.  Select your state below for additional information.

Select Your State for More Information

  • Ohio

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to Ohio customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    • New Customer
      As a new customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit-score assessment.
      • You are unable to provide a letter of credit from another electric utility.
    • Existing Customer
      As an existing customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You have not paid the total amount due – or set up payment arrangements – for any given bill containing a previous balance.
      • You are unable to provide a guarantor to secure payment of your bills.
      • Your service has been disconnected within the last 12 months due to nonpayment, fraudulent practice, tampering or unauthorized reconnection.


    Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

    • Checking or Savings
      Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
    • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
      Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
    • Add it to Your First Bill
      The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.
    • Credit Reference Letter
      (Available to residential customers only)
      Send us a credit reference letter from your previous electric company to verify that you:
      1) Obtained service from them within the past two years
      2) Made no more than two late payments within the last 12 months of that service.
    • Guarantor
      (Available to residential customers only)
      A guarantor is a customer of the same electric company who is willing to accept responsibility for the bill of a 60-day supply of service.  You will be asked to provide their contact information, so that a form can be completed and signed by both you and the guarantor. 
    • Winter Reconnect Order
      Each year the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issues a Winter Reconnect Order.  The order provides you with an option to pay a maximum of $175 to establish service at a new address, prevent disconnection of service, or to have service reconnected at the same address that was disconnected for nonpayment.  The option may only be used one time, per winter season.  The start and end dates vary, but run from mid-October through mid-April.

     

    Interest and Release

    Customers who pay a deposit will receive interest, which will be applied monthly toward the total amount due.  Your deposit will be credited to your account once service is discontinued, or for residential customers when your bill has been paid for twelve consecutive months with no more than two late payments and without service interruption due to nonpayment.  Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to your account the following month.

     

    Additional Information

  • Pennsylvania

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to Pennsylvania customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    • New Customer
      As a new customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You previously were a customer of the electric company and your service was involuntarily terminated or you have a previously unpaid balance.
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit-score assessment.

    If a deposit is required, you will be notified in writing of the specific reasons why.  

    • Existing Customer
      As an existing customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You have been late paying two bills in a row or three or more bills in the last year.
      • You have failed to make payments according to a payment schedule set up to pay past-due bills.
      • You have had service shut off due to unpaid bills.


    Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

    • Checking or Savings
      Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
    • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
      Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
    • Add it to Your First Bill
      The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.
    • Installment/Payment Plan
      (Available to residential customers only) 
      After receiving your initial bill with the security deposit charges, you will have the option of setting up an installment plan online, if you are registered, under payment options or call the Customer Care Center directly.  The installment plan will require 50% percent of the security deposit due with the first bill, another 25% due with the second bill, and the final 25% due with the third bill.
    • Confirm Low Income 
      (Available to residential customers only) 
      If your household is considered low income by a qualified agency, or if you are a confirmed low-income consumer applying for or already participating in a utility customer assistance program, you will not be required to provide a security deposit.
    • Guarantor 
      (Available to residential customers only)
      A guarantor is a qualified individual who meets credit requirements and who is willing to accept responsibility for any outstanding bills owed by the customer.  You will be asked to provide their contact information, so that a form can be completed and signed by both you and the guarantor. 
    • Protection from Abuse Order (PFA)
      If you currently have a valid Protection from Abuse Order (PFA) or a court order issued by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction in Pennsylvania, which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against you, you may not have to pay a security deposit.  If you are required to pay a security deposit, you may pay it over three payments, and the refund policy may differ.  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.  Click here for more information.


    Past Due Payment

    You may be required to pay any unpaid bills that you owe for service from the last four years. You also may be required to pay even if the account was not in your name, if you resided at the residence for which service is requested when the unpaid bills accumulated.  You may be able to make a payment arrangement to pay the amount you owe. 

    Interest and Release

    Your security deposit will earn interest which will be credited to your account on a monthly basis.  The interest rate may change annually.  

    • Residential
      If you are a residential customer, your security deposit will be released or credited to your account upon discontinuance of service, or when your bill has been paid in full and on time for 12 consecutive months after payment of the security deposit.  Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to your account the following month.

    • Nonresidential
      If you are a nonresidential customer, your security deposit will be released or credited to your account upon discontinuance of service, or earlier at the discretion of the company.


    Additional Information

  • New Jersey

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to New Jersey customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    • New Customer
      As a new customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company’s credit-score assessment.
      • You have an outstanding final bill, an account that was written off, or a poor payment history on a previous account.
         
    • Existing Customer
      As an existing customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You have had service shut off due to unpaid bills.
      • You have filed bankruptcy and are in default of the payment of bills.
      • Your account becomes delinquent for two consecutive billing periods without a payment arrangement.


    Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

    • Checking or Savings
      Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
    • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
      Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
    • Add it to Your First Bill
      The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.
    • Installment/Payment Plan 
      After receiving your initial bill with the security deposit charges, you will have the option of setting up an installment plan online, if you are registered, under payment options or call the Customer Care Center directly.  The installment plan will require 50% of the security deposit due with the first bill, another 25% due with the second bill, and the final 25% due with the third bill.
       

    Interest and Release

    • Residential Customers
      The deposit is released one year after payment, if satisfactory credit is established.  The security deposit is automatically credited to the customer's account, if there is no existing balance.  However, if there is an existing or outstanding balance, the security deposit will be applied towards that balance to settle the account.

    • Nonresidential Customers
      The deposit is released 24 months after payment, if satisfactory credit is established.  The security deposit is automatically credited to the customer's account, if there is no existing balance.  However, if there is an existing or outstanding balance, the security deposit will be applied towards that balance to settle the account. Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to the customer’s account the following month.

     

    Additional Information

  • Maryland

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to Maryland customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    New Customer

    •  Residential
      As a new customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:  
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company’s credit-score assessment.
      • You have not demonstrated good paying habits and/or otherwise established credit in accordance with MD Public Service Commission regulations - COMAR 20.30.02.
    • Nonresidential 
      As a new nonresidential customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company’s credit-score assessment.
      • You have not demonstrated good paying habits and/or otherwise established credit in accordance with MD Public Service Commission regulations - COMAR 20.30.01.


    Existing Customer

    • Residential
      If you are an existing or former customer applying for service, you may be required to re-establish credit and pay a security deposit if:
      • You owe an outstanding bill for prior electrical service.
      • Your account had been terminated during the last 12 months for nonpayment of bills.
      • You failed to pay a bill by the due date on more than two occasions in the last 12 months.
      • Your account is more than two months in arrears.
      • Conditions of service or the basis on which your credit was originally established have materially changed.
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit-score assessment.

    A residential customer who has established credit and is receiving service but fails to pay a bill by the due date of a termination notice, may be required to re-establish credit by paying a deposit, in addition to paying the outstanding bill and a reconnection charge.

    •  Nonresidential
      If you are an existing or former customer applying for service, you may be required to re-establish credit and pay a security deposit if:
      • You owe an outstanding bill for prior electrical service.
      • Your account had been terminated during the last 12 months of prior service for nonpayment of bills.
      • You failed to pay a bill by the due date on more than two occasions in the last 12 months of prior service.
      • Your account is more than one month in arrears.
      • Conditions of service or the basis on which your credit was originally established have materially changed.
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit-score assessment.

    A nonresidential customer who has established credit and is receiving service but fails to pay a bill by the due date of a termination notice, may be required by the utility to re-establish credit by paying a deposit, in addition to paying the outstanding bill and a reconnection charge.


    Exemption for Residential Customers 60 Years of Age or Older

    If you are a residential customer who is 60 years of age or older, you are exempt from paying a security deposit, if:

    • You provide proof of age.
    • You are the primary consumer of the electric service.  Your name must be on the electric account and the lease, mortgage, rental agreement, or title premise.
    • You do not have an outstanding bill owed for electrical service.

     

    Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

    • Checking or Savings
      Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
    • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
      Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
    • Add it to Your Bill
      The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.
    • Installment/Payment Plan 
      (Not available for MD Residential customers with deposits of $50 or less and MD Non-residential customers with deposits under $100)
      If you qualify, after receiving your initial bill with the security deposit charges, you can then set up an installment plan online under payment options or call the Customer Care Center directly.


    Interest and Release

    Interest is credited monthly to your electric account.  The calendar year interest rate shall be established in December of each year to be effective January 1 of the following year in accordance with MD Public Service Commission regulations – COMAR 20.30.02.04 and 20.30.01.04.

    • Residential
      Your deposit will be credited to your account upon discontinuance of service, or when your bill has been paid for 12 consecutive months with no more than two late payments and without service interruption due to nonpayment. Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to your account the following month.

    If you are 60 years of age or older, deposits will be refunded upon request with proof of age and no past-due balance or uncollected bill owed to the Company.

    • Nonresidential
      After the first four years of service following payment of the deposit, the deposit will be released or credited to your account if the following conditions are met:
      • You have not been terminated for nonpayment of bills within the past two years.
      • You have made no more than two payments after the date due within the past 12 months.
      • You have not presented a bad check for payment of bills within the past two years.
      • You do not have detrimental credit information recorded within the past two years.
      • You are not presently delinquent in the payment of electric bills.
         

    If you do not meet these conditions, your account will be reviewed every 12 months, and when your account has met these standards, the deposit will be released or credited to your account.


    Additional Information

     

  • West Virginia

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to West Virginia customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    • New Customer
      As a new customer, you may be required to pay a security deposit if:
      • You do not meet the requirements of our Company’s credit-score assessment; or
      • You have an outstanding final bill, an account that was written off, or a poor risk score because of a previous account. 
         
    • Existing Customer
      • Residential
        If you are an existing or former residential customer applying for service, a security deposit will be required if: 
        • You fail to pay on time - three or more invoices paid past the due date in the preceding 12 months.
        • You have filed for bankruptcy.
        • You have committed a fraudulent practice, tampering, or unauthorized reconnection of service during the preceding 12 months.
        • Your service was restored after termination for nonpayment; or
        • You do not meet the requirements of our Company’s credit-score assessment.

        A residential customer who has established credit and is receiving service but receives three or more termination notices within a twelve-month period may be required to pay a security deposit.

      • Nonresidential
        If you are an existing or former nonresidential customer applying for service, a security deposit will be required if:
        • You fail to pay on time - two or more invoices paid past the due date in the preceding 12 months.
        • You have filed for bankruptcy.  
        • You have committed a fraudulent practice, tampering, or unauthorized reconnection of service during the preceding 12 months.
        • Your service was restored after termination for nonpayment; or
        • You do not meet the requirements of our Company's credit-score assessment.

      A nonresidential customer who has established credit and is receiving service but receives three or more termination notices within a twelve-month period may be required to pay a security deposit.
       

      Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

      • Checking or Savings
        Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
      • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
        Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
      • Add it to Your Bill
        The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.


      Interest and Release

      Interest is credited monthly to your electric account.  The interest rate to be paid is calculated each year and set by Order of the WV Public Service Commission.

      • Residential
        Your deposit will be credited to your account upon discontinuance of service, or when your bill has been paid for 12 consecutive months with no more than two late payments and without service interruption due to nonpayment.  Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to your account the following month.

      • Nonresidential
        Your deposit will be credited to your account upon discontinuance of service, or after you have paid bills for service for 12 consecutive months without a delinquency. Upon review of the account, if the account has met the stated conditions, the security deposit will be released (credited) to your account the following month. 


      Additional Information

      For more information, Contact Us.

  • New York

    This information pertains to security deposits assessed to New York customers only.

    Who is Required to Pay a Security Deposit?

    • Residential
      • New Customer
        A security deposit will not be required from you as a new customer unless you are a seasonal or a short-term customer (less than one year of service requested).
      • Existing Customer
        If you are an existing customer or applying for a new account within 30 days of closing a previous account, a deposit will not be required unless:
        • Two consecutive months of overdue payments have been accumulated AND one-half of the amount due has not been paid, or
        • You have been disconnected for nonpayment within the last six months. 
           
    • Nonresidential Customer
      If you are a new or existing nonresidential customer, a security deposit may be requested from you if:
      • Your payment is in arrears.
      • You do not meet credit requirements.
      • You have filed for bankruptcy.


    Security Deposit Payment Options and Alternatives

    • Checking or Savings
      Pay your security deposit online with your checking or savings account.
    • Credit or Debit Card (fees will apply)
      Make a one-time payment using your credit or debit card.
    • Add it to Your Bill
      The full security deposit will appear on your initial bill and must be paid in full by the due date.  You can pay online, by phone, at an authorized payment agency, or by mail.
    • Installment/Payment Plan 
      After receiving your initial bill with the security deposit charges, you can then set up an installment plan online under payment options or call the Customer Care Center directly.
    • Public Assistance 
      (Available to residential customers only) 
      If you receive public assistance, supplemental security income or additional state payments, you will not be charged a deposit.
    • Letter of Credit 
      (Available to nonresidential customers only)
      Send us a letter of credit from your previous electric utility company to verify that you:
      1) Obtained service from them within the past two years, and
      2) Made no more than two late payments during the last 12 months of that service.
    • 62 Years of Age or Older (Deposit Waived)
      If you are 62 years of age or older, we will not ask you for a deposit unless your service was disconnected for nonpayment within the last six months.


    Interest and Release

    Your security deposit will earn interest. This interest rate may change annually. It will be held for one year after payment of the deposit. If you maintain a good payment record during that year, we will release the deposit, the following month, plus interest (at a rate set by the PSC). Otherwise, we can hold the deposit, and we will credit interest to your account on a monthly basis.  Any security deposit still held when your account is discontinued will be returned to you or applied to the final bill.  


    Additional Information

Next Steps

Move-In or Transferring Service Customers
You can complete your Move-In Online or call us directly. If required, you will be prompted for a security deposit during this process.

START SERVICE

Past-Due Accounts
We realize that sometimes events in your life may cause you to not be able to pay your bill.  Regardless of the reasons, payments need to be made for electric service.  Call us or review our various payment options and assistance programs for additional information and help paying your bill.

Contact Us