How to Pay Your Gulf Coast Electric Coop Bill: A Guide to Payment Options

Paying your monthly electric bill to Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative doesn’t have to be a chore Gulf Coast Electric offers their members a variety of convenient payment options to choose from In this article, we’ll walk through the different ways you can pay your Gulf Coast Electric bill and highlight the pros and cons of each method.

Online Portal

The easiest way for most members to pay their Gulf Coast Electric bill is through the online member portal To access the portal, simply visit wwwgcec.com and click on “Member Portal Sign-In” at the top right of the homepage.

If you don’t already have an online account, you’ll need to register for one using your account number, statement ID, and email address. Once registered, you can log in anytime and make a payment from your bank account or with a credit/debit card.

Paying online saves you the time and hassle of mailing in a check or making a trip to the GCE office. You can pay from anywhere 24/7 and even set up auto-pay to have your bill paid automatically each month. The online portal also allows you to view past statements and monitor your daily usage.

Mobile App

In addition to the online portal, Gulf Coast Electric also offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android. The app provides all the same functions as the online portal right from your smartphone or tablet.

You can download the Gulf Coast Electric app and log in using your existing online portal credentials. The app makes it easy to pay your bill, check your balance, and manage notifications while on the go. Push notifications can alert you when a new statement is available or if a payment is due.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer not to pay your bill online, Gulf Coast Electric still offers payment by physical check. Your monthly paper statement includes a payment stub that you can detach and mail along with a check in the provided return envelope.

One benefit of mailing a check payment is that you have a paper record for your files. However, it does require purchasing stamps and can take longer to process compared to electronic payments. Be sure to allow 7-10 business days for your mailed payment to reach Gulf Coast Electric and be credited to your account.

Pay in Person

For those who prefer the most hands-on approach, Gulf Coast Electric accepts bill payments in person at any of their local offices. You can visit their headquarters in Wewahitchka or branch locations in Panama City and Southport.

When paying in person, Gulf Coast Electric accepts cash, checks, and all major credit/debit cards. Payments are credited to your account immediately. Just be sure to bring your paper bill or account number.

In-person payment allows you to speak directly with a GCE representative if you have any questions about your account. However, office hours are limited to weekdays, so this option offers less flexibility.

Drop Boxes

If you need to drop off a payment outside normal business hours, Gulf Coast Electric provides 24/7 drop boxes at all of their office locations. Simply place your payment (check or money order) in an envelope with your account number written on it and deposit it in the drop box. A staff member will collect drop box payments each morning.

Pay by Phone

You can also make a payment over the phone by calling Gulf Coast Electric’s billing department at 850-639-2216. They accept payments from credit/debit cards and checking accounts over the phone.

This offers a convenient option for those who don’t have access to online payments but don’t want to make a trip to the office. However, you may experience hold times during peak call volume.

Prepaid Metering

For members who want to prepay their electric usage, Gulf Coast Electric offers Flex Pay. This prepaid metering program allows you to add money to your account in advance rather than receiving a monthly bill.

As you use electricity, your balance deducts. When the balance gets low, you simply make another payment to replenish it. The upfront deposit is $50. Benefits of Flex Pay include avoiding late fees, disconnects, and reconnect charges.

Automatic Bank Draft

You can simplify payment by enrolling in automatic bank draft through Gulf Coast Electric. This authorizes them to automatically deduct your monthly bill amount directly from your checking account around the due date.

To enroll, complete the online authorization form. You’ll continue receiving paper or electronic statements while avoiding late payments. Just be sure you have sufficient funds when your bill is drafted each month to avoid overdraft fees.

Levelized Billing

For more consistent electric bills month-to-month, consider Gulf Coast Electric’s levelized or average billing program. This averages your current and last 12 bills and charges that average each month instead of your actual fluctuating usage.

Your account is reviewed every 3 months and the levelized amount adjusted up or down accordingly. While not your exact amount due each month, it can help with budgeting.