How to Pay Your Wood County Electric Bill

Having reliable electric service is essential for every home and business. But keeping the lights on requires customers to pay their utility bills on time each month. Wood County Electric Cooperative (WCEC) offers their members multiple options for paying electric bills conveniently. This article will outline the various methods WCEC provides for members to pay their monthly bills.

WCEC Online Bill Pay

The easiest way for WCEC members to pay their electric bill is online through the utility’s website. Members can create an online account through the Account Services Portal. This allows 24/7 access to account information and bill paying.

Members can pay online from anywhere instead of sending a check or going to the WCEC office. The online system accepts payments by credit/debit card, check, or bank account information. Members can pay one-time or set up recurring automatic payments.

Online bill pay brings convenience and saves time Members can avoid the hassle of writing and mailing checks Payments post instantly, rather than waiting days for a mailed check to reach WCEC. The online portal shows payment history and prints receipts too.

WCEC Mobile App

In addition to the web portal, WCEC offers a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices The app provides the same account access and bill pay options right from members’ smartphones or tablets

The WCEC mobile app allows quick and easy bill payment using a mobile device. Like the web portal, members can pay one-time or recurring bills with various payment methods. The app also includes helpful features like outage alerts, account notifications, cooperative contact information and more.

Between the online web portal and mobile app, WCEC members have the ability to pay their electric bill from anywhere 24/7. The technology brings convenience and flexibility for members to pay on their own schedule.

WCEC Auto Bill Pay

For ultimate convenience, WCEC members can enroll in Auto Bill Pay. This automatically pays their monthly electric bill without any effort on the member’s part.

WCEC will charge the amount due every month from the payment method on file, either a few days before or on the due date of the bill. Auto Bill Pay is trusted by many members to make sure their bill is paid on time without them having to remember to do it themselves.

WCEC offers Auto Bill Pay enrollment through their online Account Services Portal. Members provide the necessary payment information and confirm their enrollment. Then each bill is automatically drafted going forward.

Paying in Person

While online and automatic payments provide convenience, some WCEC members may prefer paying their electric bill in person. The cooperative’s main office in Quitman, TX has a customer service desk to accept bill payments.

The WCEC office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Members can visit the office during business hours and make a payment by cash, check, or credit/debit card. The staff can print a payment receipt as well.

For members who live nearby or simply prefer paying bills in person, the WCEC office provides friendly, face-to-face customer service. The tellers are happy to answer any account questions too.

WCEC Electronic Billing

In addition to various payment methods, WCEC offers members the ability to receive bills electronically rather than by mail. Members can enroll in paperless e-bills through their online account portal.

Once enrolled in electronic billing, WCEC will email members a monthly notification when their new bill is ready to view online. Members can then log in through their computer or mobile app to see their bill details and make a payment.

E-bills reduce paper waste and postal expenses for both the member and WCEC. Members appreciate the convenience of accessing bills digitally from anywhere. And the cooperative benefits from lower print and mailing costs. Signing up for paperless billing is an easy way for members to “go green.”

Budget-Friendly Payment Programs

WCEC understands paying an electric bill can be challenging for members on tight budgets or facing financial hardship. So they offer special payment programs to help.

Members who have been with WCEC for at least 12 months with a zero balance can enroll in Levelized Billing. This averages their usage over the past year to create a predictable monthly payment amount.

The cooperative also works with members struggling to pay overdue bills. They can set up deferred payment plans to pay past due balances over time. Disconnection protection plans are also available for qualifying incomes.

WCEC aims to help members pay their electric bill conveniently within their financial means. In addition to various payment options, they provide programs for managing monthly electric costs.

Payment Requirements and Policies

While WCEC offers flexibility in payment options, members must adhere to certain rules and requirements:

• Bills are due by the printed due date on the statement to avoid late fees. Due dates can only be adjusted with cooperative approval.

• Disconnection may occur if a bill remains unpaid for 10 days past the due date. Reconnection fees apply if service is disconnected.

• Partial payments are applied to the oldest outstanding charges first, not the current bill. Full balance must be paid to avoid late fees.

• Payment extensions may be available but typically only once per year, requiring manager approval.

• Declined payments due to insufficient funds will incur a fee that is added to the member’s bill.

Understanding the payment policies helps members avoid additional fees and potential disconnection. WCEC aims to collect payments fairly and provide continuity of electric service to members.

Assistance Paying Electric Bills

Some WCEC members encounter situations where they truly struggle to pay their monthly electric bill. While the cooperative cannot subsidize costs for members, they can direct members to programs that provide bill payment assistance.

For example, LIHEAP is a federal program that provides relief for low-income households’ home energy bills. LIHEAP offers supplemental funding that can be applied directly to electric bills for eligible applicants.

WCEC also partners with local non-profit organizations to help members facing financial hardship sustain their utility services. Members can call the cooperative’s office for guidance on qualification requirements and application processes for various utility financial assistance programs.

Keeping the Lights On

Reliable electric service is vital for members, and regular bill payment is necessary on the cooperative’s side to deliver that service. WCEC aims to make the payment process as convenient as possible for members.

They offer numerous options for members to pay electronically, automatically, by phone, by mail, or in person. Special programs help financially troubled members manage payments. As a member-owned cooperative, WCEC strives to maintain exceptional service and work cooperatively with members for successful bill payment arrangements.