Lincoln Electric System bill payment options and how to use them

Lincoln Electric System (LES) serves about 160,000 customers in and around Lincoln, Nebraska. You can pay your bill online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at their office. The online portal is the fastest way to set up a one-time payment or recurring automatic payments, and it shows your balance and usage history in one place.

LES does not charge a fee for online payments made through their official website or for payments by phone with a representative. If you use a third-party payment processor, that company may charge a convenience fee — LES's website will tell you the fee amount before you confirm the payment.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay LES bills online at their website without a fee, or set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account.
  • Phone payments to LES directly do not carry a fee, but third-party payment services may charge a convenience fee that appears before you confirm.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and typically take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account.
  • If your bill is overdue, LES may disconnect service, so contact them immediately if you cannot pay the full amount.

Paying online through the LES website

Go to the LES website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link, usually on the homepage. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill statement. Create a login or use an existing account if you have already registered.

Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment date. If you want the payment to go through immediately, select today's date. If you want to schedule it for a future date — for example, when you know your paycheck will arrive — you can set that up as well. Review the details, then confirm the payment. You should receive an on-screen confirmation number immediately.

To set up automatic payments, look for an "Autopay" or "Recurring Payment" option in your account. You can choose to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed dollar amount. LES will deduct the payment on the date you select, usually around your bill due date. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call LES customer service at the number on your bill. A representative will take your account number and payment information. Phone payments are processed the same day if you call before the cutoff time, which LES will tell you when you call. Have your bill and a debit card or bank account information ready.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order and include the payment stub from your bill. Mail it to the address printed on your statement. Do not mail cash. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to reach LES and post to your account. If you are close to your due date, paying by mail may result in a late fee, so consider paying online or by phone instead.

In-person payment at the LES office

You can pay in person at the Lincoln Electric System office during business hours. The main office is located at 1040 O Street in Lincoln. Bring your bill or account number and cash, check, or debit card. The office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but check the LES website or call ahead to confirm current hours.

In-person payments are posted to your account the same day. This option is useful if you prefer to hand over payment directly or if you need to discuss your bill with a representative in person.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you are having trouble paying your LES bill, contact customer service as soon as possible. LES offers a budget billing program that spreads your annual energy costs into equal monthly payments, which can make bills more predictable. You may also be able to set up a payment plan to pay what you owe over time instead of in one lump sum.

LES also has information about energy assistance programs that may help if you may have access to based on income. Your local community action agency or 211 Nebraska can connect you with these programs. If your service is at risk of disconnection, LES is required to notify you in writing before they shut off power, so you will have time to act.

Understanding your bill and account information

Your LES bill shows your account number, current charges, any balance from the previous month, and the amount due. It also lists your meter reading and how much electricity you used during the billing period. The due date is printed on the front of the bill, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill date.

When you log into your online account, you can see a 12-month history of your usage and charges. This helps you spot unusual spikes in your bill or track whether your energy use is going up or down. You can also view and download past bills from your account.

Avoiding late fees and service disconnection

LES charges a late fee if your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill. The fee amount is listed on your statement. If your bill remains unpaid after the due date, LES will send you a disconnection notice. You will have a grace period — usually at least 10 days — to pay before service is shut off.

If you receive a disconnection notice, call LES immediately. Even if you cannot pay the full amount, you may be able to work out a payment arrangement to keep your service on. LES is required by state law to work with customers before disconnecting service for non-payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my LES bill with a credit card online?

LES's website accepts debit cards and bank account transfers without a fee. If you want to use a credit card, you will need to use a third-party payment processor, which will charge a convenience fee. The fee amount appears before you confirm the payment.

How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my account?

Payments made through the LES website typically post within one business day. If you schedule a payment for a future date, it will post on that date. Phone and in-person payments usually post the same day.

What if I paid my bill but it still shows as overdue?

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post. If you mailed a check, it may still be in transit. Log into your account or call LES to confirm the payment was received. If you paid online or by phone, contact LES customer service to investigate why it is not showing.

Can I set up automatic payments and still change the amount each month?

Automatic payments are set for a fixed amount each month. If you want to pay a different amount, you can log into your account and adjust the automatic payment before the due date, or make a separate one-time payment for the difference.

What happens if I move and want to transfer my LES service?

Contact LES at least two business days before you move to schedule a final meter reading at your old address and a new account setup at your new address. You can do this online, by phone, or in person. Make sure your final bill is paid before you leave.