Living in Great Falls, Montana? You likely receive monthly utility bills for services like electricity, water, sewer and garbage from the city. There are a variety of ways to pay these utility bills conveniently and on time each month. This article will provide an overview of payment options, tips for avoiding late fees, and what to do if you need assistance with bills.
Payment Options in Great Falls
The City of Great Falls offers several payment options to fit different needs and preferences:
Online
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Pay through the Paymentus online payment system, You must create an account and register your utility account number
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Online payments are temporarily unavailable from May 21-June 30, 2024 due to a utility billing software conversion.
Phone
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Call (406) 727-7660 and select option 1 to pay by phone with a CSR.
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During the software upgrade, phone payments will not work from May 21, 2024, to June 30, 2024.
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Mail check or money order payments to City of Great Falls, PO Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403.
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Write your new account number on checks after June 3, 2024. Old account numbers will cause delays.
In Person
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Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can pay at the Civic Center window at 2 Park Drive South.
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A drop box outside the Civic Center is also available 24/7.
Financial Institution
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Set up bill pay through your bank or credit union’s online banking.
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Update your account number with them after June 3rd billing software changeover.
These options make paying utility bills fast and convenient. Just avoid online or phone payments during the temporary service outage spanning late May through June.
Tips for Avoiding Late Fees
To avoid late fees and service disruptions, keep these tips in mind:
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Carefully review bills each month and note due dates. Set reminders on your calendar.
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If receiving paper bills, open and review promptly in case issues need addressing.
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Pay a few days early to account for any mail or processing delays.
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Know outages like the May-June software upgrade will delay online or phone payments. Plan ahead.
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When using bill pay, verify funds are withdrawn, not just initiated, by the due date.
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If moving, promptly close old accounts and open new ones with the city utility department.
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Notify all payment services of any account number changes to prevent misapplied payments.
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Sign up for paperless e-bills and email reminders to get notifications right away.
Avoiding late utility payments preserves your credit rating and ensures uninterrupted access to essential services.
Payment Assistance Programs
If you are struggling to pay utility bills on time, Great Falls offers programs to help qualified applicants:
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
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Helps pay home heating and electricity bills.
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Provides crisis assistance for shut off notices.
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Income and household size requirements. Apply October 1-April 30.
Weatherization Assistance Program
- Provides home energy audits and upgrades like insulation and HVAC tune-ups to reduce energy costs.
Payment Arrangements
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Payment plans spread balance over several months.
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Waiver of late fees or due date extensions in special cases.
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Must apply before bill due date.
Contact Great Falls Community Action Partnership at (406) 761-0310 for more on assistance programs. Additional resources can be found at benefits.gov.
What to Do if Your Utilities are Disconnected
If you miss a payment and your utilities get disconnected, take the following steps:
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Call the utility department immediately to understand reinstatement requirements.
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Request any available assistance or alternate payment arrangements.
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Provide required documentation and payments to have service restored.
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Going forward, carefully monitor billing and due dates to avoid repeat issues.
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Consider automated payment plans or direct withdrawal to prevent missed payments.
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If facing long-term hardship, explore ongoing assistance programs.
Act quickly if disconnected and learn from the situation to get back on track with seamless utility service.
Key Things to Know About Great Falls Utility Bill Pay:
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Online and phone payments through Paymentus are unavailable from May 21-June 30, 2024 during a software upgrade.
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Account numbers are changing after June 3, 2024. Update anywhere you pay to avoid issues.
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Carefully track due dates and pay a few days early to avoid late fees.
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Assistance programs like LIEAP are available if facing hardship.
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If disconnected, call immediately and fulfill requirements to restore service.
Paying City of Great Falls utility bills on time prevents the hassle of late fees and disrupted services. Follow the guidance above to choose a convenient payment method and avoid issues. Reach out for help if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment options does the City of Great Falls offer for utilities?
You can pay utility bills online, by phone, by mail, in person at the Civic Center, through your bank, or by drop box. Each method has certain advantages to consider.
When will my mailed in payment reach my account?
Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to post. Any delays beyond that should be reported to the utility department.
Can I still pay by check?
Yes, check and money order payments can be mailed or dropped off in person. Just be sure to allow enough time to reach them before your due date.
What if I’m moving and need to close or open an account?
Promptly notify the utility department of any moves so your name is removed from the old account and added to your new service address. This prevents billing issues.
What if I’m facing financial hardship and can’t pay my bill?
Contact the utility department as soon as possible to inquire about available assistance programs and alternate payment arrangements that may be available to help. Don’t wait until service is disrupted.
How can I avoid late fees?
Review bills promptly, note due dates, pay a few days early, and enroll in reminders. If your payment will be delayed, call ahead of time to possibly have late fees waived in special circumstances.
Why can’t I pay online or by phone right now?
From May 21-June 30, 2024 online and phone payments are temporarily disabled during a major utility billing software upgrade. This impacts the Paymentus online payment system and phone payments made through the automated system. All other payment options are still available during this time.
Great Falls wants to make paying your essential utility services simple and convenient. Follow this overview on the many payment methods provided, assistance programs available if needed, and tips to avoid headaches.
Category Archives:Utilities
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