Simplifying Your Independence Power And Light Bill Payments

Paying your electricity bill should be simple and stress-free With Independence Power and Light (IPL), residents of Independence, Missouri have several convenient options to pay their utility bills In this article, we’ll walk through the different ways to pay your IPL bill, explain how to set up an online account, provide bill payment assistance options, discuss how to read your electric meter, and outline steps to avoid service disruption.

Overview of Independence Power and Light

Independence Power and Light (IPL) provides electricity to residents and businesses in Independence, Missouri IPL is owned and operated by the City of Independence As a municipal utility, revenues from IPL help fund city services for Independence residents.

There are more than 60,000 customers served by IPL in Independence and a few nearby towns. As a public power company, IPL’s main goal is to offer reliable electricity at prices that are competitive.

Ways to Pay Your IPL Bill

IPL offers several payment options to fit your needs:

• Online – Pay online using IPL’s online account management system called MyAccount. We’ll cover how to set up a MyAccount below.

• Phone – Call IPL’s automated phone payment line at (816) 325-SERV (7378). Have your account information ready to make a payment.

• Mail – Send your payment to:

  City of Independence
  PO Box 219362
  Kansas City, MO 64121-9362

• In-Person – Visit the IPL Customer Service Center at 17221 E 23rd St S, Independence, MO. Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

• City Hall – Drop off payment at Independence City Hall, 111 E Maple, Independence, MO. Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

IPL does not charge any fees for paying your bill through these methods. Payments are typically posted to your account within 1-2 business days.

Setting Up an Online IPL Account

The most convenient way to pay your IPL bill and manage your account is through the online MyAccount system. With MyAccount you can:

• View your current charges
• Check your payment history
• Make a one-time payment
• Set up recurring auto-pay
• Monitor your energy usage
• Report power outages
• And more!

To sign up for MyAccount, visit https://myaccount.ilpt.com/ and click “Create an Account”. You’ll need to provide:

• Your IPL account number
• Account holder name
• Email address
• Desired password

After entering your info, agree to the terms of use and click “Create Account”.

If you already have an online account with IPL, simply login at https://myaccount.ilpt.com/ using your email and password.

Once your account is created, we recommend setting up auto-pay to avoid any late fees. You can schedule payments to draft from your bank account or credit card automatically each month.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having difficulty paying your IPL bill, you may qualify for a payment assistance program:

• Budget Billing – Pay a fixed amount each month to even out seasonal spikes in your electric bill. Your payment is recalculated periodically to account for changes in usage.

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal funding to help limited income households pay energy bills. Apply through your local Missouri social services office.

• PIPP – Percentage of Income Payment Plan allows you to pay a fixed percentage of your monthly income for your electric bill. You must meet income eligibility criteria.

• Project Share – IPL customers can opt to add a few dollars each month to their bill that goes into a fund to assist low-income residents struggling to pay their utility bills.

Contact IPL’s customer service team to learn more and sign up for payment assistance programs. Act quickly if you are behind on payments to avoid service disruption.

How to Read Your IPL Meter

Understanding how to read your electric meter can help you monitor your home’s energy use and avoid billing surprises. IPL meters track electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

There are two common types of meters:

Digital Meter

• Display shows 5 digits
• Read digits from left to right

Dial Meter

• Multiple dials that spin to display usage
• Read dials from left to right
• Record the lower number if dial is between two numbers

IPL aims to read each meter once per month. The meter reader will walk from house to house, recording the new meter reading. This is then compared to the previous month’s reading to calculate total usage and charges.

If the meter reader is unable to access your meter, IPL may have to estimate your monthly usage based on your past averages. To avoid estimated readings, make sure your meter is free of obstructions.

You can also read your own meter each month and provide the readings to IPL to ensure accurate billing. Learn how at https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/power-and-light/bill-payment.

Avoid Service Disruption

To avoid having your power shut off due to non-payment, make sure to pay your IPL bill in full and on time each month. If you are struggling to pay, contact IPL immediately to set up a payment plan or apply for assistance.

Here are key dates to know:

• Bill Print Date – Your monthly bill is generated on this date based on your latest meter reading.

• Due Date – Payment must be received by this date to avoid late fees. Typically 20 days after the bill date.

• Past Due Date – If payment is not received by this date, a disruption notice is sent. Typically 10 days after the due date.

• Service Disruption Date – If the past due balance is not paid, your service may be disconnected on this date. Typically 10 days after the past due date.

If you receive a disruption notice, act quickly! Call IPL to make payment arrangements or apply for assistance. For same-day reconnection, payment must be made by 3:30pm on the Disruption Date.

Pay Smarter, Not Harder

Paying your IPL electricity bill should be simple, straightforward and stress-free. Avoid late fees, service disruptions and billing surprises by signing up for online account management, enabling auto-pay, monitoring your usage, and paying on time every month. Contact IPL customer service if you need assistance or are struggling to pay your bill. They have programs and resources to help get you back on track.