u/Dry-House-6719

Need practical advice from anyone familiar with utility shutoffs/Potomac Edison in WV.

I’m facing electric disconnection from Potomac Edison and already lost my PSC case. The issue now is that they’re requiring a down payment that I genuinely cannot afford.

I’m not looking for lectures about paying the bill — I’m trying to figure out what options actually work in real life when someone is in hardship.

So far, I have:

• requested payment arrangements,
• asked for hardship assistance,
• contacted the PSC,
• applied for LIHEAP/emergency assistance,
• and started reaching out to charities and legislators.

What I need to know is:

• Has anyone gotten Potomac Edison to temporarily stop a disconnect while assistance was pending?
• Is there a specific hardship/escalation department that has more authority than regular customer service?
• Has anyone had success getting the down payment reduced or deferred?
• How fast does Dollar Energy Fund actually move in emergency situations?
• Does involving a state delegate or media contact make any difference?
• Are there any WV-specific programs or loopholes that buy extra time legally?

If you’ve worked for a utility company, dealt with collections, or gone through this yourself, I’d really appreciate practical advice on what actually gets results before a shutoff happens.

Thanks.

Hello,

I am a Martinsburg resident seeking to share my experience involving Potomac Edison and the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

After filing a formal PSC complaint in an effort to resolve my electric account dispute, my complaint was denied and I am now facing possible electric disconnection despite financial hardship and ongoing efforts to seek assistance.

I believe this situation raises broader concerns about utility affordability, consumer protections, and the difficulty residents face navigating the PSC process during hardship situations.

I can provide:

• PSC case information,
• documentation,
• shutoff notices,
• and details about my attempts to resolve the matter.

I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with a reporter regarding this issue.