Making Bill Payments Easy with Okanogan County PUD

Paying bills is often seen as a tedious and frustrating task. However, Okanogan County PUD aims to make paying your utility bill as quick and easy as possible In this article, we’ll dive into the various payment options available and provide tips to take the pain out of paying your PUD bill each month

Overview of Payment Options

Okanogan County PUD offers customers several convenient ways to pay their electric water and broadband bills. These include

• Online Payment via SmartHub
• Pay-by-Phone
• Automatic Bank Draft
• Mail-In Payment
• Drop Boxes
• In-Person Payment

Below we’ll explore each of these options in more detail.

Paying Online via SmartHub

For fast secure online bill payment, the easiest method is through SmartHub. This is Okanogan County PUD’s online self-service portal.

To start using SmartHub, you simply need to create an account and link it to your PUD account number. Once set up, you can:

• View your current electric, water, and broadband usage
• See previous statements and payment history
• Make one-time or recurring payments
• Set payment reminders and alerts
• Report outages

SmartHub allows you to pay by credit/debit card, bank account, or digital wallet. You can pay immediately or schedule payments for a future date. It’s available 24/7 and lets you avoid mailing delays or waiting in line.

Pay-by-Phone

If you prefer to pay over the phone, Okanogan County PUD has a toll-free automated pay-by-phone system.

To use this system, call 1-844-918-3268 and follow the prompts. You’ll need to enter your 10-digit account number and the amount you owe. The system accepts payments by credit/debit card or checking account.

One advantage of pay-by-phone is that you can make a payment whenever it’s convenient for you, without logging into a website. However, online payments normally process more quickly.

Automatic Bank Draft

For ultimate convenience, consider enrolling in automatic bank draft payments. This authorizes Okanogan County PUD to automatically withdraw your bill amount from your bank account each month.

To enroll, you’ll need to complete and submit an authorization form. You can find the form by visiting any PUD office or downloading it from the website.

The main benefit of automatic payments is that you never have to remember pay dates or take action each month. Just make sure you have enough in your account to cover the charges.

Mail-In Payment

If you don’t mind writing checks, you can mail your utility payments to Okanogan County PUD each month.

Payments should be sent to:

Okanogan County PUD
PO Box 912
Okanogan, WA 98840

Be sure to include your remittance stub to credit your account properly. Allow 5-7 business days for mail delivery and processing time.

This is one of the more traditional ways to pay, but it does involve remembering due dates, postage costs, and possible delays.

Drop Boxes

For a fast, contactless option, several drop box locations are available for hand-delivering your payment. Drop boxes are located outside each PUD office, including:

• Omak Office
• Okanogan Office
• Brewster Office
• Oroville Office
• Tonasket Office

Simply place your payment stub and check or money order in an envelope and deposit it in the drop box. Payments are collected each business day.

In-Person Payment

You can also pay your utility bill in person at any Okanogan County PUD office during regular business hours. Offices accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.

When paying in person, be sure to bring your bill or account number. In-person payment allows you to speak directly with customer service representatives if you have any questions about your account.

Tips for Avoiding Late Fees

To avoid getting hit with late fees, keep the payment due date in mind and pay before it passes. Okanogan County PUD bills are due on the 15th of each month.

Ideally, schedule payments or reminders for a few days prior to the 15th to account for processing time. Online and phone payments often post to your account more quickly than mailed payments.

You can also review your account status and balance anytime via SmartHub. This helps you stay on top of your payment schedule.

Finally, consider enrolling in autopay or recurring payments. This guarantees your bill gets paid on time without you having to remember.

Assistance Programs for Struggling Customers

We know utility bills can sometimes be a financial burden. If you’re struggling to keep up with payments, contact Okanogan County PUD to ask about payment plans or assistance programs.

For example, PUD partners with local agencies to provide bill payment assistance, discounts, and weatherization services for qualifying customers. Our team is happy to connect you with these valuable resources.

We’re Here to Help

Paying your PUD bill doesn’t have to be a hassle each month. With multiple payment channels to choose from, online account access, and bill assistance options, Okanogan County PUD aims to simplify payments for our customers.

If you ever have questions about your account or need help paying your bill, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our customer service team is available by phone, email, online chat, and at our local offices. We look forward to serving you!