SCE offers three main ways to pay your bill: online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mail
The fastest and most convenient method is paying online at sce.com using your account number and a debit card, credit card, or bank account. You can also use the SCE mobile app, available on iOS and Android, which lets you pay in seconds and see your balance anytime. If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call SCE's payment line at 1-800-655-4769 and pay over the phone with a card or bank account. Mailing a check or money order is the slowest option — mail it to the address on your bill, and allow at least 10 business days for it to arrive and post to your account.
No matter which method you choose, have your account number ready. You can find it on your bill, in the top right corner of the first page. If you are paying online or by app, you will also need to know your service address or the zip code where you receive service.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through sce.com or the SCE mobile app is the fastest option and posts to your account within one business day.
- Phone payment at 1-800-655-4769 works 24/7 and accepts debit cards, credit cards, or bank account transfers.
- Mail payments take 10 or more business days to process, so send them early if your due date is approaching.
- SCE does not charge a fee for online or phone payments made directly through their website or customer service line.
- You can set up automatic recurring payments through your bank or through SCE's website to avoid missing a due date.
Paying online through SCE's website or app
Log in to your account at sce.com using your account number and password. If you do not have an online account yet, click "Create Account" and follow the prompts — you will need your service address, zip code, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or tax ID. Once you are logged in, select "Pay My Bill" from the menu.
Choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account (checking or savings). Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. Review the payment date; SCE typically processes payments the same day if you submit before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Confirm the payment, and you will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email receipt.
The SCE mobile app works the same way. Download it, log in with your account credentials, and tap "Pay Bill." The app also shows your current balance, usage history, and outage information in real time.
Paying by phone
Call SCE's automated payment line at 1-800-655-4769. You do not need to speak to a representative — the system is automated and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your account number and payment method ready (debit card, credit card, or bank account information).
The system will ask you to enter your account number using your phone keypad, then confirm your service address. Select your payment amount and payment method, review the details, and confirm. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. If you prefer to speak with a customer service representative, stay on the line after the automated menu ends, and you will be transferred to the next available agent.
Phone payments are processed the same day if you call before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day. Calls made after 5 p.m. or on weekends are processed the next business day.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount due and include the payment stub from your bill. The stub has your account number printed on it, which helps SCE match your payment to your account. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this address changes based on which payment processing center handles your account, so always use the address on your current bill rather than a previous one.
Mail payments typically take 10 to 15 business days to arrive and post. If your due date is within two weeks, paying by mail risks a late payment. SCE considers a payment late if it is not received by the due date shown on your bill, even if you mailed it on time. To be safe, mail payments at least three weeks before the due date.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. You can set them up through SCE's website or through your own bank. On SCE's website, log in, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "Automatic Payment." Choose your payment method (bank account or card), the amount (full balance, minimum, or a fixed dollar amount), and the day of the month you want it to come out. SCE will deduct the payment automatically each billing cycle.
Alternatively, set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service. Log into your bank's website or app, add SCE as a payee, and schedule a recurring payment for the amount and date you choose. Your bank sends an electronic payment to SCE, which posts within one to three business days. This method gives you more control because you can adjust or cancel payments through your bank if needed.
Fees and payment methods to know
SCE does not charge a fee for online payments, app payments, or phone payments made directly through their customer service line. However, if you use a third-party payment service or a credit card processing company not affiliated with SCE, that service may charge a convenience fee — typically 2 to 3 percent of your payment amount. Always check whether a fee applies before you confirm a payment through a third-party site.
Credit card payments through SCE's official channels do not incur a fee from SCE, but your credit card company may treat the payment as a cash advance or charge interest if you are carrying a balance. Using a debit card or bank account transfer avoids this issue. Mail payments are free but slow. Bank account transfers are free and fast, making them the best option for most people.
What to do if your payment does not post
If you paid online or by phone and do not see the payment reflected in your account within two business days, log back into your account and check the payment history. You should see the transaction listed with a confirmation number. If the payment shows as "pending," wait one more business day. If it shows as "failed," the payment did not go through — this usually happens because the card was declined or the bank account information was incorrect. Try paying again with a different payment method.
If you mailed a check and your bill still shows as unpaid after 20 business days, call SCE at 1-800-655-4769 and provide your confirmation details (the check number, amount, and date you mailed it). SCE can search for the payment and confirm whether it has been received. If the check was lost in the mail, SCE may ask you to stop payment on the original check and send a new one or pay by another method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SCE bill with a prepaid card?
Yes, you can use a prepaid debit card online, through the app, or by phone as long as it has a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. The card must have enough funds available at the time of payment. Some prepaid cards charge fees for transactions, so check your card's terms before paying.
What happens if I miss my due date?
SCE typically allows a grace period of a few days after the due date before charging a late fee. The exact grace period is shown on your bill. If you miss the due date, you can still pay online, by phone, or by mail without your service being disconnected immediately. However, SCE may add a late charge to your next bill and eventually disconnect service if the account remains unpaid for 30 or more days.
Can I pay someone else's SCE bill?
Yes, you can pay another person's bill if you have their account number. Pay online at sce.com, by phone at 1-800-655-4769, or by mail. You do not need to be the account holder. However, you cannot view their account details or make changes to their service without authorization from the account holder.
Is it safe to pay my bill online?
SCE's website and app use encryption to protect your payment information. Paying directly through sce.com or the official SCE app is safe. Avoid paying through third-party websites that claim to process SCE payments — these are often scams. Always go directly to sce.com or call the official SCE number on your bill.
Can I get a refund if I overpay my bill?
Yes. If you pay more than you owe, SCE will credit the extra amount to your next bill. If you want a refund check instead, contact SCE customer service at 1-800-655-4769 and request one. Refunds typically take two to four weeks to arrive by mail.