How to Pay Your Osage Valley Electric Bill: A Comprehensive Guide

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative provides reliable electric service to homes and businesses across central Missouri As a customer, you have several convenient options to pay your monthly electric bill This guide will outline the various payment methods available and provide tips for managing your electric account.

Why Paying on Time Matters

Before we dive into the payment details, let’s review why it’s important to pay your Osage Valley electric bill by the due date:

• Avoid late fees – A 5% late charge is applied to past due balances, This extra cost adds up over time

• Prevent disconnection – Accounts more than 30 days past due may be disconnected requiring a $50 reconnect fee.

• Maintain good standing – Paying late negatively impacts your account status and credit.

• Save money – Consider enrolling in budget billing to spread costs evenly over the year.

Setting reminders and utilizing auto-pay can help prevent missed deadlines and penalties. Now let’s explore the payment methods Osage Valley offers its customers.

Pay Online Through SmartHub

The fastest, easiest way to pay your electric bill is through SmartHub, Osage Valley’s online account management portal. With SmartHub you can:

• Pay instantly online 24/7.

• Setup autopay or schedule future payments.

• Store payment methods for recurring use.

• View billing history and usage.

• Receive bill notifications.

To use SmartHub, create an online account with your account number, then link a bank account, debit card, or credit card. Payments through SmartHub are applied immediately. It’s the most convenient option!

Pay-As-You-Go with Prepay

Osage Valley’s Prepay program allows you to purchase electricity before it’s used, similar to prepay cell phone plans. Benefits of Prepay include:

• No deposits or late fees.

• Payments processed immediately.

• View real-time usage and balance.

• Receive balance alerts.

• Pay as often as needed.

• Payments accepted 24/7.

To get started, convert your existing account to Prepay billing. Then simply purchase credit as needed through SmartHub, Osage Valley’s mobile app, by phone, or at the office.

One-Time Quick Pay

Need to make a one-off payment without logging into SmartHub? Use the quick PayNow option on Osage Valley’s website.

To make a Quick Pay payment:

1. Go to osagevalley.com and click on PayNow.

2. Enter your 10-digit account number.

3. Select Pay Now.

4. Enter payment amount and method.

5. Submit payment.

It’s fast, easy, and payments post instantly.

Pay by Phone

Call 877-760-7425 to use Osage Valley’s automated phone payment system anytime. Have your account number ready. Follow the prompts to make a payment securely over the phone using your preferred method. Payments made over the phone are applied immediately to your electric account balance.

In-Person Payment Options

Osage Valley has three local offices where you can pay your electric bill in-person:

• Butler Office: 311 S. West Street, Butler, MO

• El Dorado Springs Office: 104 E Chestnut Street, El Dorado Springs, MO

• Rich Hill Office: 302 N. Cedar Street, Rich Hill, MO

Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM, except on holidays. Payments made at the office are applied same-day.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer, mail your electric bill payment by check to:

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative
PO Box 470
Butler, MO 64730

Please allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to be applied to your account to avoid late fees. Include your remittance stub and write your account number on the check.

Third-Party Payment Locations

Osage Valley has partnered with VanillaDirect Pay which allows you to pay your electric bill with cash at participating retailers including Ace Cash Express, Dollar General, and more. To find locations, visit the VanillaDirect Pay website or use the payNearMe app. A $1.50 convenience fee applies when paying via VanillaDirect Pay.

Budget Billing to Balance Costs

Budget billing gives you more consistent electric bills by averaging your costs over the past 12 months. This spreads your payments evenly across the year so the monthly amount stays the same, avoiding seasonal peaks and dips.

To get started, simply fill out Osage Valley’s Budget Billing agreement form online or contact customer service. Your account must be in good standing to qualify.

Avoid Disconnection with Payment Arrangements

If you’re struggling to pay your electric bill, call Osage Valley immediately to set up a payment plan. As long as you pay the agreed installment amounts by their deadlines, your power will remain on.

Payment arrangements can provide more time to pay and help avoid disconnection. But you must call right away if you anticipate missing a due date so arrangements can be made before your account becomes past due.

Seek Bill Payment Assistance

Several bill assistance programs are available for Osage Valley customers facing financial hardship including:

• LIHEAP – Provides federal energy assistance grants.

• Salvation Army – Offers one-time bill payment help.

• Church assistance – Many local churches offer utility bill grants.

Learn more about these and other utility assistance resources on Osage Valley’s website to help manage electric costs.

Sign Up For Important Account Alerts

Use Osage Valley’s notifications tool to receive alerts about your electric account:

• Payment reminders

• Past due notifications

• Outage status updates

• Prepay balance is low

• Usage tracking

Alerts help you stay on top of your account status and take timely action. Activate email or text alerts through SmartHub or Osage Valley’s mobile apps for Apple and Android.

Go Paperless with E-Billing

Enrolling in paperless billing reduces waste and clutter. Receive and view your monthly statements electronically rather than by mail. Reminders are sent when your new bill is ready to view and pay online through SmartHub.

Going paperless is good for the environment and simplifies bill management. Update your preferences in SmartHub to enroll.

Stay Connected on Social Media

Follow Osage Valley on Facebook and Twitter for important updates on outages, billing cycles, events, and outage prevention tips. Social media is a useful tool for staying informed.