Filed my first successful claim three weeks ago — PSE&G in Newark agreed to the rate correction and a 24-month refund. But the client keeps asking when the money is coming. How long does a refund typically take after the utility agrees?
How long does a refund typically take after filing?
Depends on the utility and the amount. For PSE&G, expect 1-3 billing cycles for credits to appear on the bill. They rarely issue separate refund checks — it's almost always bill credits applied over multiple months. Larger refunds ($50K+) can take longer because they may require management approval on the utility side. I tell clients to expect 60-90 days from agreement to full credit.
Phil N.'s timeline is typical. A few things that speed up the process: ask for the refund in writing with a specific dollar amount and period, so there's no ambiguity about what was agreed to. Request a timeline from the utility rep — "when can we expect the first credit?" Having a written commitment to a date gives you something to follow up on if it's late. And set the client's expectations early — tell them 60-90 days so they're not calling you every week asking where the money is.
Got it — I'll tell the client 60-90 days and follow up with PSE&G for a written timeline. Thanks. This is all new territory for me and I appreciate the guidance.