Where to pay your Central Virginia Electric Cooperative bill

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) offers several ways to pay your bill, and the method you choose depends on what works best for your schedule and preferences. You can pay online through the cooperative's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at their office.

The online payment portal is available 24/7 and lets you pay immediately without waiting for business hours. You can set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments for the same day each month. The phone line is staffed during business hours — call the number on your bill to speak with someone who can process your payment over the phone.

If you prefer to mail a check, write your account number on the check and send it to the address printed on your bill. Mail payments take longer to reach CVEC, so send them at least 10 days before your due date to avoid a late fee. Paying in person at the cooperative's office is also an option if you live near their location.

Key Takeaways

  • CVEC's online payment portal is available around the clock and processes payments the same day you submit them.
  • You can set up automatic monthly payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to remember.
  • Phone payments and in-person payments at the office are available during business hours — check your bill for the exact hours and phone number.
  • Mailed checks take 10 or more days to arrive, so send them well before your due date to avoid late fees.

Setting up automatic payments through CVEC

Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. Once you set up the payment, CVEC withdraws the amount from your bank account or charges your credit or debit card on the date you choose each month.

To set up automatic payments, log into your account on the CVEC website or call their billing department. You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number, or your credit or debit card information. CVEC will ask you to choose the date the payment should be taken — most people pick the date they receive their paycheck or the date their bill is due.

If your bill amount changes month to month (which it does for most households), CVEC will charge whatever the current bill is on the date you selected. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account or by calling the cooperative.

Understanding your bill due date and late fees

Your bill due date is printed on the front of your bill statement. CVEC typically gives you about 20 days from the bill date to pay before a late fee is added. The late fee amount varies — check your bill or call CVEC to find out what the current late fee is.

If you pay after the due date, the late fee is added to your next bill. Paying late does not shut off your power immediately, but if you fall significantly behind on payments, CVEC may send a disconnection notice. The notice gives you a window to pay before the power is actually cut off.

If you are having trouble paying your bill on time, contact CVEC before the due date. The cooperative may offer a payment plan that spreads your balance over several months, or they may have information about bill assistance programs in your area.

What to do if you cannot find your account number

Your account number appears on your bill statement, usually near the top or in a box labeled "Account Number" or "Service Account Number." If you have a recent bill, that is the fastest way to find it.

If you do not have a bill in front of you, call CVEC's customer service line and provide your name, address, and phone number. They will look up your account number and can help you make a payment over the phone at the same time. You can also log into the online portal using your email address and password if you have already created an account there.

Paying your bill if you are behind on payments

If your account is past due, you can still make a payment through any of the normal channels — online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Paying what you owe stops the disconnection process if a notice has been sent.

CVEC may offer a payment arrangement if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Call the cooperative and explain your situation. They can work with you to set up a plan where you pay part of the balance now and the rest over the next few months. Payment arrangements vary depending on how much you owe and your payment history.

Some areas also have bill assistance programs run by local nonprofits or government agencies. CVEC's customer service team can tell you whether programs are available in your county and how to contact them.

Checking your payment history and account balance

Log into your online account to see your payment history, current balance, and recent bills. The portal shows when each payment was received and processed, which is useful if you are trying to track down a payment you made by mail.

You can also call CVEC's customer service line to ask about your balance or payment history. They can tell you the exact amount due, when your next bill is expected, and whether any payments are still processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my CVEC bill with a credit card?

Yes, CVEC accepts credit and debit cards for online payments and phone payments. Some payment methods may charge a processing fee — check the payment screen or ask when you call to see if a fee applies to your chosen method.

What happens if I pay online but my payment does not show up right away?

Online payments usually post to your account the same day. If you paid during evening or weekend hours, it may not appear until the next business day. If more than one business day has passed, call CVEC with your confirmation number from the payment receipt.

Can I change my automatic payment date?

Yes. Log into your online account and edit the payment date, or call CVEC's customer service team. Changes take effect on your next scheduled payment, so make the change at least a few days before the current payment date if you want to move it.

What should I do if I think I was charged twice?

Call CVEC right away with the dates and amounts of both charges. They can look up the payments in their system and tell you whether one was a duplicate or whether they were two separate bills. If a duplicate charge occurred, they will process a refund.

Does CVEC offer budget billing or levelized payments?

Some electric cooperatives offer budget billing, which spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months so your bill is similar each month. Call CVEC to ask whether this option is available and how to enroll.