The fastest way to pay SCE online is through their website or mobile app, both of which process payments the same day you submit them
Southern California Edison offers three main online payment routes: their website at sce.com, their mobile app (available on iOS and Android), or automatic payments set up through your bank account. All three let you pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Payments made before 8 p.m. Pacific time on a business day post to your account the same day; payments after that time or on weekends process the next business day.
You will need your SCE account number to get your free guide. This appears on your bill, in the top right corner of the first page. If you do not have a recent bill, you can find it by logging into your SCE online account or calling their customer service line at 1-800-655-4769.
Key Takeaways
- SCE's website and mobile app both accept debit cards, credit cards, and bank account payments, and both process same-day if you pay before 8 p.m. on a business day.
- Setting up automatic payments through your bank account avoids the need to remember due dates and typically costs nothing.
- You must create an online account at sce.com before you can pay through the website or app, but the account setup takes about five minutes.
- If you pay by credit or debit card, SCE charges a convenience fee that varies based on the card type and payment amount.
- Paying through your bank account directly (ACH) has no fee and is the cheapest option if you want to avoid the card convenience charges.
Paying through the SCE website
Go to sce.com and click "Pay My Bill" in the top navigation. If you do not have an online account yet, select "Create Account" and enter your account number, service address, and email. SCE will send you a verification link; click it to finish setup. This takes about five minutes.
Once logged in, your bill amount and due date appear on the dashboard. Click "Make a Payment" and choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you use a card, SCE will show you the convenience fee before you confirm. Bank account payments (ACH) have no fee. Enter the amount you want to pay, review the details, and submit. You will receive a confirmation number immediately.
Using the SCE mobile app
Download the SCE app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in with the same account you use on the website, or create a new account using your account number and service address. The app shows your current bill, due date, and payment history on the home screen.
Tap "Pay Bill" and select your payment method. The app displays the same convenience fees as the website for card payments and shows zero fees for bank account payments. You can set the payment amount, review it, and submit. The app also lets you set up automatic payments directly from the payment screen, which is faster than doing it on the website.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments (also called autopay) withdraw money from your bank account on your due date each month, so you never have to remember to pay. Set this up through the website by logging in, clicking "Billing & Payments," then "Manage Autopay." Choose your bank account as the payment method and confirm the due date. SCE will send you a confirmation email.
You can change or cancel autopay anytime through the same menu. If your bill amount varies month to month (which is normal for electricity), SCE will charge whatever the current bill is on the due date. If you want to pay a fixed amount instead, you can set that in the autopay settings, though you will still owe any remaining balance.
Understanding convenience fees for card payments
When you pay with a debit or credit card online, SCE charges a convenience fee. The fee is a percentage of your payment amount and varies depending on the card type. As of now, the fee ranges from about 1.5% to 2.5% of the payment, but SCE shows you the exact amount before you confirm the payment, so you always know what you are paying.
Bank account payments (ACH) have no convenience fee, which makes them the cheapest option if you want to pay online. If you want to avoid fees entirely, you can also pay by mail (send a check to the address on your bill) or in person at an SCE payment center, though both take longer to process.
What to do if your payment does not show up
Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Pacific time on a business day should appear in your account by the end of that day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day. If more than one business day has passed and your payment still does not show, log into your account and check the "Payment History" section to confirm the payment went through.
If the payment was processed but your bill still shows as unpaid, wait 24 hours for the system to update. If it still does not update after that, call SCE customer service at 1-800-655-4769 with your confirmation number. They can verify the payment and update your account if there is a delay.
Paying a past-due bill or setting up a payment plan
If your bill is past due, you can still pay online using the same methods. Your account will show the past-due amount, and you can pay it in full or contact SCE to set up a payment plan. To arrange a plan, call 1-800-655-4769 and speak with a representative. They can spread your past-due balance over several months, though you will still need to pay your current bill on time to keep the plan active.
If you are struggling to pay your bill, SCE also offers programs like the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which reduces rates for low-income households. You can learn about these programs on the SCE website or by calling the same number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SCE bill without creating an online account?
You cannot pay through the website or app without an account, but you can pay by phone at 1-800-655-4769 using a debit or credit card, or by mail with a check. Phone payments also charge a convenience fee similar to online card payments.
What happens if I pay more than my bill amount?
The extra amount becomes a credit on your account and carries forward to the next month. You can see your credit balance in the "Account Summary" section of your online account. If you want a refund instead, contact SCE customer service.
Is it safe to pay SCE online with my bank account information?
SCE uses encryption to protect your information, and bank account payments (ACH) are a standard, secure payment method used by utilities nationwide. Your bank account number is not stored on SCE's website; it is processed through a secure payment gateway.
Can I schedule a payment for a future date?
The website and app do not have a "schedule for later" option for one-time payments. You can only pay immediately or set up automatic payments for your due date. If you want to pay on a specific future date, call SCE at 1-800-655-4769 and ask about scheduling options.
What if I want to dispute a charge on my credit card after paying SCE?
Contact your credit card company directly to dispute the charge. SCE will need your confirmation number from the payment, so keep that handy. Disputing a utility payment can result in service disconnection, so contact SCE first if you think there is an error on your bill.