(1) (a) The department shall establish a program for a seasonal moratorium for involuntary termination for nonpayment by residential customers of essential utility bills. (b) An essential utility is a utility regulated by the Public Service Commission under Title 54, Public Utilities, which is in the business of the retail distribution of electricity or natural gas. (c) A residential customer is a customer defined as in a residential class by the Public Service Commission.

(a) The department shall establish a program for a seasonal moratorium for involuntary termination for nonpayment by residential customers of essential utility bills.

(b) An essential utility is a utility regulated by the Public Service Commission under Title 54, Public Utilities, which is in the business of the retail distribution of electricity or natural gas.

(c) A residential customer is a customer defined as in a residential class by the Public Service Commission.

(2) A residential customer shall meet the following criteria to qualify for the program: (a) gross household income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level or the household has suffered a medical or other emergency, loss of employment, or is experiencing other circumstances which have resulted in a substantial loss of income; (b) the customer has made application to public and private energy assistance programs; (c) the customer is willing to make a good faith effort to pay these utility bills on a consistent basis; and (d) any additional information required by the department.

(a) gross household income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level or the household has suffered a medical or other emergency, loss of employment, or is experiencing other circumstances which have resulted in a substantial loss of income;

(b) the customer has made application to public and private energy assistance programs;

(c) the customer is willing to make a good faith effort to pay these utility bills on a consistent basis; and

(d) any additional information required by the department.

(3) (a) A residential customer may file with a local department office an affidavit attesting eligibility under the criteria in Subsection (2). (b) The department shall certify that the customer has met the eligibility requirements and forward a copy of the affidavit to the effected utility.

(a) A residential customer may file with a local department office an affidavit attesting eligibility under the criteria in Subsection (2).

(b) The department shall certify that the customer has met the eligibility requirements and forward a copy of the affidavit to the effected utility.