<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 07.03.22.08" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="22" heading="Arrearage Retirement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Subject to Regulations .03—.05 of this chapter and the availability of funds, the local agency or Administration may issue benefits for electric arrearage retirement to an electric company in an applicant's service area on behalf of an eligible EUSP applicant who owes an outstanding arrearage to the electric company for electric service.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Arrearage retirement benefits:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall be issued to assist an eligible electric customer maintain or reestablish electric service; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Are limited to arrearages owed to the applicant's electric company for electric service arrearages the applicant incurred, prior to current monthly bill and which has been verified by the applicant's electric company during the application process.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The local agency or Administration shall allow the applicant or proxy to review arrearage information provided by the applicant's electric company during the application process.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Delivery of Arrearage Retirement Benefits. The local agency or Administration shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Issue the arrearage retirement benefits within the minimum and the maximum amount authorized by Public Service Commission order; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Make a benefit payment, or series of payments, on behalf of the applicant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Amount of Benefits.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Disputes Regarding Arrearage Data.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The local agency shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Forward an EUSP applicant dispute regarding arrearage data supplied by the applicant's electric company to the Public Service Commission for resolution; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Continue the application and payment process pending the Public Service Commission's notification of the dispute resolution.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In disputed cases, the payment amount the local agency makes for the applicant's arrearage retirement shall be the amount specified by the applicant's electric company.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Following resolution of the dispute, the applicant's electric company shall refund to the local agency benefits received on behalf of the applicant in excess of the amount the Public Service Commission determines to be correct.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>