Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. makes an extra effort at this time of year to reconnect customers who are without electric service because they did not pay their electricity bill.

As of Dec. 13, only 56 of PP&L's 1.2 million customers were without electric service. The state's major electric and gas utilities report figures on service cutoffs to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Bureau of Consumer Services at the start of each winter.

"Throughout the fall, we make repeated attempts to contact disconnected customers and arrange to restore their service so they have heat and light for the winter," said John R. Menichini, PP&L vice president for Customer Services.

PP&L representatives mail letters, make phone calls and go to customers' homes. They also visit homes on evenings and weekends in an effort to make mutually acceptable payment arrangements.

Menichini said 36 of the customers without electric service could not be reached by any of those methods. PP&L will continue to try to get in touch with them, unless it can confirm that the home is vacant.

The other 20 customers without electric service have been contacted, but either have not been able to make payment agreements with PP&L or have chosen to remain without electric service.

Through the spring, summer and fall of 1996, PP&L cut power to 10,747 customers who did not pay their bill. Most had their electric service restored after arranging to pay the amount they owed. Others moved after power was cut, and the home currently is vacant.

Menichini said cutting power is the last step in a long process that gives customers several opportunities to pay the overdue balance on their account in full, or make arrangements to pay it over a period of time. In addition, PP&L has several programs designed to assist customers in need:

-- CARES, the Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Service, helps customers with payment arrangements, provides credit counseling and makes referrals to social service agencies.

-- Operation HELP uses donations from PP&L, its customers, employees and retirees to give direct financial assistance to people who need help paying their energy bills.

-- WRAP, the Winter Relief Assistance Program, provides free home weatherization services for low-income and fixed-income customers. A companion program, Keep Warm, provides the same services to customers with slightly higher income levels.

"Any PP&L customer who is having a difficult time making ends meet can contact us directly, at our toll-free phone number," Menichini said. "We want to help, especially when children, elderly or disabled people are living in the home, or there are special medical needs." PP&L's toll-free number for payment arrangements is 1-800-358- 6623. The hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To find out more about PP&L's customer assistance programs, the toll-free number is 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775). Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.