Making Bill Payments Easy with Central Lincoln PUD

Paying your utility bill on time each month is an important responsibility. However, we all lead busy lives and sometimes remembering due dates can be a challenge Fortunately, Central Lincoln PUD offers multiple convenient payment options to keep your account in good standing. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways you can pay your Central Lincoln PUD bill

Overview of Central Lincoln PUD

For those unfamiliar, Central Lincoln PUD (Public Utility District) is a customer-owned utility that provides electric service to over 35,000 homes and businesses across Lincoln County, Oregon. Their service area stretches over 2,500 miles along the beautiful Oregon coastline.

Central Lincoln PUD is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors elected by customers in the district. As a public entity, any profits made are reinvested back into the utility to keep rates low and reliability high. Central Lincoln PUD sources over half of its power from clean, renewable hydroelectric resources.

Now that you know a bit about Central Lincoln PUD, let’s look at the ways you can easily pay your monthly bill

Pay Online

The fastest and most convenient way to pay your Central Lincoln PUD bill is online through their Pay Now system.

To use Pay Now, you simply need your account number and the name on the account. Enter those details on the secure payment page and you’ll be able to view your current balance and due date. Payments can be made directly from your checking account or with a debit/credit card.

Pay Now allows one-time payments, so it’s ideal for those who want quick and easy bill pay without signing up for features like auto-pay. Transactions are processed instantly, so you don’t have to worry about any delays posting to your account.

Enroll in SmartHub

For expanded online account management options, Central Lincoln PUD customers can enroll in SmartHub. This gives you a full online profile where you can

• View billing history
• Monitor daily energy use
• Make one-time payments
• Set up recurring auto-pay
• Report outages
• Receive billing notifications
• And more!

With SmartHub you’ll have complete visibility and control over your Central Lincoln PUD account. It takes just minutes to sign up online or through the SmartHub mobile app. This is the best option if you want robust digital account management tools.

Pay by Phone

If you need to make a quick payment over the phone, Central Lincoln PUD has you covered with pay by phone options.

To use the automated phone payment system, call (877) 265-3211 and select the “Pay by Phone” menu option. You’ll need to enter your 10-digit account number and credit/debit card details. The payment will be processed instantly.

You can also speak to a customer service representative during regular business hours to assist with making a payment by phone. They’ll collect your payment info and provide confirmation when it’s been applied to your account.

Mail a Check or Money Order

For customers who prefer to mail payments the old-fashioned way, you can send a check or money order payable to Central Lincoln PUD. Be sure to include your 10-digit account number on the payment so it’s properly credited.

Payments can be mailed to:

Central Lincoln PUD
P.O. Box 1126
Newport, OR 97365

Mailed payments take 5-7 days to process, so make sure to get your payment in the mail 1 week before the due date.

Pay at an Authorized Payment Station

If you want to pay your bill in-person locally, Central Lincoln PUD has authorized payment stations throughout Lincoln County. These are third-party businesses who have agreed to accept payments on Central Lincoln PUD’s behalf as a convenience to customers.

Payment stations include places like:

• U.S Bank branches
• Walmart stores
• Marque’s Ace Hardware
• Several independent grocery stores
• And more

Payment stations accept cash, checks, money orders, and debit/credit cards. Your payment will typically post to your account within 1-2 business days. Find a full list of authorized payment stations on the Central Lincoln PUD website.

Use the 24/7 Drive-Up Drop Box

For easy after-hours bill payment, Central Lincoln PUD has installed a 24/7 drive-up drop box at their Newport office:

Central Lincoln PUD
2129 N Coast Hwy
Newport, OR 97365

Simply place your payment (check, money order, or debit/credit card info) in a sealed envelope and drop it in the secure slot before the due date. The drop box is checked daily, so your mailed payment will post typically within a day or two. It’s located under an illuminated overhang, so it’s easy to access day or night.

Sign Up for AutoPay

The easiest way to avoid late payments altogether is to enroll in Central Lincoln PUD’s autopay program. This securely links your PUD account to your checking account or credit/debit card. Your payment will then be automatically deducted each month on the due date.

With autopay, you don’t have to remember payment deadlines or take any manual action. Your account stays current without any effort. You can control the funding source and payment date if you need to modify the schedule at any time. Sign up for autopay through SmartHub or use a printable AutoPay form.

Consider Prepaid Billing

Prepaid billing is another program offered by Central Lincoln PUD that ensures your account stays current. With prepaid billing, you pay ahead of time into your account balance before you use the electricity. It essentially operates like a prepaid phone card.

As you use power, your balance is deducted daily in real-time. You control when and how much you want to prepay into your account. This payment model helps customers stick to a utility budget without risk of late fees. Enroll in prepaid billing by calling Central Lincoln PUD customer service.

See If You Qualify for Low-Income Assistance

If you’re struggling to keep up with electric bills, see if you qualify for Central Lincoln PUD’s low-income assistance programs:

• Project Care – Provides emergency bill assistance to customers who experience a temporary financial crisis.

• Oregon Low-Income Energy Assistance Program – Helps limited-income households pay winter heating bills and minimize crisis situations.

These programs can offset all or a portion of your monthly electric bill based on program criteria. Apply online or contact Central Lincoln PUD for details.

Avoid Late Fees with Due Date Reminders

An easy way to avoid late fees is to receive automated due date reminders from Central Lincoln PUD. You can select your preferred method of notification – email, text, and/or phone.

Due date reminders allow you to review your balance and ensure payment is made on time before the due date arrives. Set up free payment reminders through SmartHub or let the customer service team know.

Review Billing and Payment Policies

Before we wrap up, it’s a good idea to review Central Lincoln PUD’s billing and payment policies so you know what to expect:

• Bills are issued monthly and are typically due within 15 days.

• A late fee of 1% of the overdue balance is charged if payment is received after the due date.

• Accounts 30+ days past due are subject to disconnection. A $20 fee will be assessed if this action is taken.

• Preferred payment methods are online, by phone, mail, or at authorized payment stations. Cash payments are discouraged for safety reasons.

• Please notify the utility if you need to arrange a payment plan for high bills or are experiencing financial hardship.

• Customer service staff are available weekdays 7:30am – 6pm to answer billing and payment questions.

One Less Thing to Remember Each Month

And that covers the many ways you can easily pay your Central Lincoln PUD electricity bill! From SmartHub to drop boxes to autopay, they offer flexible options to suit your needs and schedule.

Sign up for reminders, go paperless, or just drop a check in the mail – whatever works for you! Set up your preferred payment method so paying your PUD bill becomes one less thing to remember each month. Reach out to the friendly and knowledgeable Central Lincoln PUD customer service team if you need assistance getting your bill payment streamlined.