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Tips,  Problems & Complaints
Consumer Tips
Billing Disputes, Disconnections & Your Right To Services
New York Utility Commission  
Payment Assistance Programs

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Consumer Tips

Meter Reading (New York)
How to read your meter and ensure accuracy.

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

Typical Utility Customer Bill Information (New York)

Telecommunications Utility Listing (New York)

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

The Handbook for Utility Customers with Disabilities (New York)

Water Utility Listing (New York) 

Energy Conservation for Apartment Dwellers (New York)

Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas, Electric and Steam Corporations to
Non-Residential Customers (New York)
Unofficial version of the Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR).

Your Rights as a Non-Residential Gas, Electric or Steam Customer (New York)
The Non-Residential Rules cover such areas as: applications for utility service, security deposits, meter reading, billing, backbilling, level billing, turnoff and reconnection of service, and complaint handling. This will describe consumer protections in these areas as well as utility tariffs, service classifications and interest on refunds.

NY Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas,  Electric, and Steam Corporations (Residential Customers)

Energy Marketer Lists (New York)

Energy Supply Choices (New York)

Glossary of Terms Used by Utilities and Their Regulators (New York)

Shopping for Electricity (New York)

Service Interruptions: What To Do (New York)

Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credits (New York)

Electric Utility Listing (New York)

Natural Gas Utility Listing (New York)

Steam Utility Listing (New York)

Compare Electric Rates In Your Area

No-Cost Low-Cost Tips for Saving Money & Energy

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Billing Disputes, Disconnections & Your Right To Services
Billing Disputes
Disconnections
Your Right To Services
Help In Other States

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Billing Disputes

Your Rights as a Non-Residential Gas, Electric or Steam Customer (New York)
The Non-Residential Rules cover such areas as: applications for utility service, security deposits, meter reading, billing, backbilling, level billing, turnoff and reconnection of service, and complaint handling. This will describe consumer protections in these areas as well as utility tariffs, service classifications and interest on refunds.

NY Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas,  Electric, and Steam Corporations (Residential Customers)

Typical Utility Customer Bill Information (New York)

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

The Handbook for Utility Customers with Disabilities (New York)

Water Utility Listing (New York) 

Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas, Electric and Steam Corporations to
Non-Residential Customers (New York)
Unofficial version of the Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR).

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Report Phone & Utility Complaints.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Includes Links Missing Above. 

Find The AARP In New York
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

General Guidance (Not State Specific)

Responsibility For Paying Someone Else's Utility Bill  
(Legal Issues To Raise In Your Defense)

Dealing With Utility Companies Regarding Disputed Bills and Utility Deposits
Has Every Legal Argument In The Book!

Utility Credit-Your Rights To Services Without A Deposit (FTC)

How To Right A Wrong (FTC)


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Disconnections

NY Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas,  Electric, and Steam Corporations (Residential Customers)

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

The Handbook for Utility Customers with Disabilities (New York)

Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas, Electric and Steam Corporations to
Non-Residential Customers (New York)
Unofficial version of the Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR).

Your Rights as a Non-Residential Gas, Electric or Steam Customer (New York)
The Non-Residential Rules cover such areas as: applications for utility service, security deposits, meter reading, billing, backbilling, level billing, turnoff and reconnection of service, and complaint handling. This will describe consumer protections in these areas as well as utility tariffs, service classifications and interest on refunds.

Service Interruptions: What To Do (New York)

Responsibility For Paying Someone Else's Utility Bill  
(Legal Issues To Raise In Your Defense)

How To Help Older Americans Avoid Loss Of Utility Services

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Report Phone & Utility Complaints.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Includes Links Missing Above. 

Find The AARP In New York
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).


General Guidance (Not State Specific)

What To Do When Your Utility Service Has Been Disconnected

How To Help Older Americans Avoid Loss Of Utility Services

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

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Your Right To Service

Dealing With Utility Companies Regarding Disputed Bills and Utility Deposits
Has Every Legal Argument In The Book!

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

The Handbook for Utility Customers with Disabilities (New York)

Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas, Electric and Steam Corporations to
Non-Residential Customers (New York)
Unofficial version of the Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR).

Your Rights as a Non-Residential Gas, Electric or Steam Customer (New York)
The Non-Residential Rules cover such areas as: applications for utility service, security deposits, meter reading, billing, backbilling, level billing, turnoff and reconnection of service, and complaint handling. This will describe consumer protections in these areas as well as utility tariffs, service classifications and interest on refunds.

NY Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) Rules Governing the Provision of Service by Gas,  Electric, and Steam Corporations (Residential Customers)

Utility Credit-Your Rights To Services Without A Deposit (FTC)

How To Help Older Americans Avoid Loss Of Utility Services

Find The AARP In New York
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

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Help In Other States

Utility Problems In Other States (Consumer-SOS)
Find The Rules In Your State on billing disputes, deposits, winter shutoffs and more.

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

Find The AARP In Your State
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

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Payment Assistance Programs

Other Utility Advocate Organizations (New York)
Who else to get help from.

New York Financial Assistance For Utilities (State Help Groups)

Other New York Utility Assistance Groups (Google)

Home Energy Assistance Program (NY)
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income homeowners and renters pay bills for heating fuel, equipment and repairs. 

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

Rent, Utilities and Mortgage Assistance In New York  (Google)
Stop!!!!!   AFTER CLICKING ON THIS LINK, GO TO THE GOOGLE SEARCH BOX AND REPLACE "YOUR STATE" WITH THE STATE WHERE YOU LIVE. i.e."NEW YORK" OR "CALIFORNIA" OR "ALASKA" then click on go. For help in your county or city, add the name of your county or city after the name of your state.

United Way Help Line  (For All 50 States, DC & Puerto Rico)
Choose your state, select your city, and look up help agencies throughout your state and city. Their stellar search engine can lead you to any social service topic imaginable.  Just type in the words "Utilities and Assistance".

The Salvation Army Nearest You   (All 50 States & DC)
The Salvation Army often helps with rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing and mortgage assistance.

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State Utility Commissions  

Public Service Commission (New York)
Regulates energy, telecommunications, and water services.

Filing a Consumer Complaint with the Public Service Commission (New York)

Dispute Resolution at the Public Service Commission (New York)

Utility Wrongdoing (Whistle Blower) Complaint Process (New York)
Allegations of utility wrongdoing typically come to the Department from many sources, including: utility employees, the general public, state and local agencies, and contractors. Complaints may be filed either anonymously or by name.

Consumer Complaint Procedures (New York)

PSC Guide to Complaint Handling (New York)
Where and how to file a complaint.

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Report Phone & Utility Complaints.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Includes Links Missing Above. 

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