The fastest way to pay SCE is through their website or mobile app, both of which process payments immediately
Southern California Edison offers three main online payment routes: their website at sce.com, their mobile app (available on iOS and Android), and automatic payments set up through your bank account. All three let you pay from your checking or savings account, and none charge a fee for using them. Payments made before 8 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day post to your account the same day.
If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, SCE also accepts payments by phone at 1-800-655-4769, by mail, or in person at payment centers in your service area. The online methods are fastest because they give you immediate confirmation and avoid postal delays.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay SCE online through sce.com, their mobile app, or by setting up automatic payments from your bank account, and none of these methods charge a fee.
- Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Pacific Time on business days post the same day, so you get immediate confirmation of payment.
- You will need your SCE account number (found on your bill) and either a checking or savings account to pay online.
- Setting up automatic payments means your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to log in again.
Paying through the SCE website
Go to sce.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually near the top of the page. You can pay as a guest without logging in, or you can create an online account first. If you pay as a guest, you will need your account number and the amount of your bill. If you log into an account, SCE shows your balance and due date automatically.
Enter your bank account details (routing number and account number) or use a debit card. SCE accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, though using a debit card tied to your bank account avoids any processing fees that credit card companies sometimes charge. After you submit the payment, you will see a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot.
Using the SCE mobile app to pay on your phone
Download the SCE app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open it, sign in with your account number and password, or create a new account. The app shows your current balance, due date, and payment history in one place, which makes it easier to track what you owe.
Tap "Pay Now" and enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay your full balance or a partial amount. Choose your payment method (bank account or debit card), review the details, and submit. The app sends you a confirmation number and can also send you a text or email receipt if you set up notifications in your account settings.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
Automatic payments remove the need to log in each month. On sce.com or in the app, look for "Manage Autopay" or "Set Up Automatic Payments." You will choose a date each month when SCE withdraws the payment from your bank account — many people choose the day after they get paid or the day before the bill is due.
You can set it to pay your full bill automatically, or you can set a fixed amount if you prefer to pay part of it yourself. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account. If you set it up and then want to stop it, log in and remove it from your payment methods — you do not have to call SCE.
What information you need before you start
Have your SCE account number ready. It appears on your bill in the upper right corner and looks like a series of numbers (for example, 1234567890). You will also need your bank account number and routing number if you are paying from a checking or savings account. If you are using a debit card, have the card itself in front of you.
If you do not have your bill in front of you, you can find your account number by logging into your SCE online account or by calling 1-800-655-4769. SCE can also look up your account by your service address if you do not remember the number.
When payments post and what to expect
Payments submitted online before 8 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) post the same day. If you pay after 8 p.m. or on a weekend, the payment posts the next business day. You will see the payment reflected in your account balance within 24 hours, and your next bill will show the payment applied.
SCE does not charge a fee for online payments made from a bank account or debit card. If you use a credit card, some credit card companies charge a cash advance fee, so check with your card issuer first. The payment amount is withdrawn from your account within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
Troubleshooting common payment problems
If your payment is rejected, the most common reason is an incorrect account number or bank account details. Go back and double-check the numbers you entered. If you see an error message about your bank account, contact your bank to make sure the account is active and has no holds on it.
If you submitted a payment but do not see it in your account after 24 hours, check your confirmation number. Log back into sce.com or the app and look at your payment history to see if it shows as pending or posted. If it does not appear there, call 1-800-655-4769 with your confirmation number and SCE can track it down. Do not submit the payment again — duplicate payments can take weeks to reverse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SCE bill with a credit card online?
Yes, SCE accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express on their website and app. However, your credit card company may charge a cash advance fee for this type of transaction. Check with your card issuer before you pay, or use a debit card or bank account instead to avoid the fee.
What if I need to pay before my due date?
You can pay anytime through sce.com, the app, or by phone. There is no penalty for paying early. If you set up automatic payments, you can choose the date each month when the payment is withdrawn, so you can align it with when you get paid.
Is my bank information safe when I pay SCE online?
SCE uses encryption to protect your bank details during payment. Your information is not stored on the SCE website unless you create an online account and choose to save your payment method. If you are uncomfortable entering your bank details online, you can pay by phone at 1-800-655-4769 or by mail instead.
What happens if I set up automatic payments and then want to stop them?
Log into your SCE online account or app, go to your payment methods or autopay settings, and remove the automatic payment. You can do this anytime — you do not need to call SCE or send a written request. Your next bill will show that autopay has been cancelled.
Can I pay someone else's SCE bill online?
You can pay as a guest using their account number without logging in. You will need their account number (on their bill) and the amount due. If you want to set up ongoing payments for someone else, you would need to create an account in your own name and add their account as a payee, which SCE does not currently support through their standard online system — call 1-800-655-4769 to ask about other options.