The Complete Guide to Paying Your LADWP Bill in Los Angeles

Paying your utility bill on time every month is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner or renter in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) provides electricity and water services to over 4 million customers across the city. As the largest municipally-owned utility in the country, the LADWP service area spans 465 square miles and serves some of the most iconic neighborhoods in LA.

I know first-hand how confusing and frustrating the billing and payment process can be for new LADWP customers. When I moved to Los Angeles last year I was completely overwhelmed trying to set up and understand my monthly LADWP bill. Between figuring out the different rate plans delivery charges, and late payment fees, I was lost!

After many calls to customer service and hours spent researching online, I’ve finally got a handle on how to pay my LADWP bill seamlessly every month. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from setting up automatic payments to avoiding late fees. I’ll explain the various bill payment options, programs for customers facing financial hardship, and tips for lowering your monthly bill.

Overview of the LADWP Bill Payment Process

Before diving into the different payment options, let’s quickly go over the basics of the LADWP billing process. Customers are billed monthly for their water and electricity usage. Your billing date depends on where you live in LA – billing cycles are zone based. For example, I live downtown so my meter is read and bill is issued around the 15th of each month.

Once your bill is issued, payment is due 21 days later. So for my downtown billing zone payment must be received by the 5th of the following month. If your payment is late you’ll incur a 1.5% penalty fee on the total unpaid balance.

LADWP offers a few different bill delivery methods. You can receive a paper bill in the mail enroll in paperless billing to receive an email notification, or go completely paperless by signing up for online account access. It’s important to note that you are responsible for payment regardless of whether you receive a paper bill or not. So I recommend checking your online account regularly to avoid any late fees!

Now let’s look at the various ways LADWP allows you to pay your utility bill every month.

Paying Your LADWP Bill Online

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your monthly LADWP bill is online through your secure customer account. You have two options for online payments – one-time payments or setting up automatic monthly payments.

One-Time Online Payments

To make a one-time payment each month, you’ll first need to create an online account on the LADWP website. It only takes a few minutes to sign-up. You’ll need your account number and an access code that can be found on your monthly bill.

Once you log into your account, you can manually authorize payments each month. You can pay by linking your checking or savings account, known as an electronic fund transfer (EFT) payment. Residential customers also have the option to pay by credit or debit card, however there is a 2.85% service fee for credit card payments.

I recommend signing up for text or email reminders through your online account. This way, you’ll receive an alert when your new bill is ready and a reminder before the due date.

Automatic Monthly Payments

Forgetting to pay your utility bill on time can really sneak up on you, trust me. Signing up for automatic monthly payments gives you peace of mind knowing your bill will be paid on time, every time.

When you log into your LADWP account, navigate to the Auto-Pay page and enter your preferred payment method. On the scheduled due date each month, the amount due will automatically be debited from your linked bank account or credit card.

Just make sure you keep an eye on your LADWP account balance and any changes in due date or amount. You are responsible for any automatic payments made, even if the amount was more than expected that month.

Paying by Phone

If you prefer to speak to a live agent, you can pay your LADWP bill over the phone using the automated payment system.

To pay by phone, call 1-877-MYPAYDWP (1-877-697-2939) and follow the prompts. You’ll need your account number and 4-digit access code from your bill.

The automated system will walk you through entering your credit card or bank account information to authorize a one-time payment. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

There are no fees for paying over the phone using your checking or savings account. However, credit card payments incur a 2.85% service charge. I don’t recommend paying by phone unless you have concerns about missing the due date that month.

Paying by Mail

Given how convenient the online and phone payment options are, mailing in a physical check to pay your LADWP bill is not very common anymore. However, this is still an option if you prefer to pay by check or don’t have access to electronic payments.

If paying by mail, detach the payment stub from your bill and write your account number on the check. Include the stub with your payment and mail to:

LADWP
PO Box 30808
Los Angeles, CA 90030

To avoid any chance of the payment getting lost in the mail, I suggest mailing at least 5 business days before the due date. Paying by mail also means you won’t have confirmation that the payment was received until your next billing cycle.

Payment Assistance for Qualified Customers

I know first-hand how expensive the cost of living can be in LA. If you are having trouble paying your utility bill, LADWP offers payment assistance programs for qualifying low-income and senior customers.

The EZ-SAVE program provides monthly bill discounts of up to $12 off water and $39 off electricity. You can sign up by contacting LADWP customer service and providing proof that your household income falls below a certain threshold.

For seniors and disabled citizens, the Lifeline Rate can take 15% or 20% off your utility bill. You’ll need to show eligibility such as enrollment in low-income programs or Social Security benefits.

If you’ve fallen behind on payments, LADWP can enroll you in an extended payment plan to pay down past due balances while keeping your service active. Financial assistance is also available from public agencies and non-profits across LA. Check if you qualify and apply early before service is disconnected.

Avoid Late Fees and Payment Issues

Now that you know how to pay your LADWP bill, let’s go over some tips to avoid late payments, fees and other billing issues:

• Set up text or email reminders so you don’t forget when your bill is due
• If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, pay before the business day before
• Don’t assume payments by mail will arrive on time – pay at least 5 days early
• If your payment will be late, call LADWP to set up an extended payment plan
• Keep your account info up-to-date in case the utility needs to contact you
• Review billing cycles and tiered rates to better understand charges each month
• Check for leaks, faulty appliances, and ways to reduce water and electricity usage