Utility FAQ's

If you need help understanding your utility bills, first contact the utility company directly by calling the utility customer service telephone numbers printed on the front page of your utility bill.

Be sure to have a complete copy of your bill in front of you.

You can also call the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120. A consumer specialist will explain the charges incurred for your utility bill.
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If you believe the utility service provider made a mistake on your bill, the Commission can help to resolve the issue. First, contact the utility directly by calling the utility customer service telephone numbers printed on the front page of your utility bill.

Be sure to have a complete copy of your bill in front of you.

If you can not resolve the problem after talking to the utility representative, please contact the Office of Consumer Services by telephone at 202-626-5120, on-site at 1325 G Street N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20005, on-line at www.dcpsc.org/consumerservices, or by mail at 1325 G Street N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20005. Consumer specialists are available to investigate complaints and respond to inquiries.

Consumers can lower their utility bill, and save money.

Discount Rates: The Commission requires Verizon, Pepco, and Washington Gas to offer discount rates to low-income residential customers based upon income and eligibility requirements. For more information, call the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120 or the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) at 311.

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Consumer can file a complaint with the Commission about a utility service provider. First, the consumer should contact the utility directly by calling the utility customer service telephone numbers printed on the front page of your utility bill. Be sure to have a complete copy of your bill in front of you.

If you can not resolve the problem after talking to the utility representative, please contact the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120, on-line at www.dcpsc.org/consumerservices or by mail at 1325 G Street N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20005. Consumer specialists are available to investigate complaints and respond to inquiries.

If you notice a public safety problem such as a dangling electrical wire or you smell gas, leave the area and dial 911 immediately to report the problem. Afterwards, you have the option to file a complaint with the Commission if it falls under the regulatory authority of the Commission. To file a complaint about a public safety issue, call the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120.

If your electric, natural gas or telephone service has been cut off, the Commission may be able to help you restore your services.

To restore your service, the utility usually will require you to:

• Pay a portion of your outstanding bill,
• Pay a security deposit, which can be up to two-times the amount of your highest monthly bill over the last 12 months, or
• Set-up a payment plan to pay off the remainder of your outstanding bill over the next 12 months.

For assistance with restoring your utility services, click here to contact Office of Consumer Services

Yes. The Office of Consumer Services accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday (except holidays) between 9 a.m and 5:30 p.m.

In the case of an electric or natural gas meter dispute, a consumer may request a refereed meter test, witnessed by a Commission staff. Requests for a refereed meter test can be made through the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120.

Yes. Consumers can call the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120 to request the list of competitive suppliers.  The lists are available below.

Electric:
Approved Electric Generation and Transmission Suppliers

Natural Gas:
Current Commodity Natural Gas Suppliers in the District

Telecommunications:
Currently Certificated Residential Telecom Providers

If a consumer has a problem with a pay telephone, consumers can call the Pay Telephone hotline number at 202-737-4PSC (4772). Consumer can file a complaint by:

• Faxing to 202-626-9210,
• Fill out and complete: Consumer Complaint and Inquiry Form, or
• Mailing to the Pay Telephone Division at 1325 G St. N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20005.

If a long distance company has switched your services without permission (also known as slamming), call the company and to inform them that you will pay only the charges of your preferred carrier. If the carrier will not drop any additional charges, contact the Office of Consumer Services at 202- 626-5120 for assistance.

No. Wireless service is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). You can file a complaint with the FCC by calling 1-888-225-5322, or on-line at http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.

No. Water and sewer complaints are handled by the DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA). To report a problem, contact DC WASA at 202-354-3600 or on-line at http://www.dcwasa.com/report_problem/default.cfm

No. The Office of Cable Television (OCT) handles complaints with cable television service. To file a complaint, contact OCT at 202-671-0066 or on-line at http://www.octt.dc.gov/services/complaints/index.shtm

To request a speaker for your community group, contact the Office of Consumer Services at 202-626-5120.