(1) If a gas utility is delayed in billing a residential customer, the utility must offer payment arrangements that are equal to the length of time the bill was delayed, unless the utility determines that the customer used service prior to applying for service as outlined in WAC 480-90-128 (2)(f), Disconnection of service.

(2) The utility must offer all residential customers the option of an equal-payments plan.

(a) An equal-payments plan allows the customer to pay the same amount each month based on historical usage. If historical information is not available, the utility must base the amount on projected usage;

(b) The utility may refuse to offer an equal-payments plan to customers who have been removed from the equal-payments plan for nonpayment within the past six months or have more than a two-month past-due balance on their current account. However, the utility may offer an equal-payments plan to any customer when the utility believes this would be in the best interest of all parties concerned.

(3) The utility must provide a receipt to customers for all payments made in cash.