Where and how to pay your SCE bill
You can pay your Southern California Edison bill online through your account on the SCE website, by phone at 1-800-655-4555, by mail, or in person at an SCE payment center. The fastest and most convenient method for most people is online through their SCE account, where you can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic payments.
If you pay by mail, send your check or money order to the address printed on your bill — never send cash. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account, so plan ahead if your due date is approaching. If you pay in person at an SCE payment center, the payment posts immediately, and you receive a receipt on the spot.
Automatic payments (also called autopay) deduct money from your bank account or credit card on your due date each month. This method prevents late payments and saves you the step of paying manually, though you should still review your bill each month to catch any errors or unusual charges.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your SCE account is the fastest option and lets you pay any amount on any day without fees.
- Automatic payments prevent missed due dates, but you must still check your bill monthly for errors or billing problems.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Late payments trigger a 1.5% monthly charge on the unpaid balance, so paying on time saves money even if you cannot pay the full amount.
- If you cannot pay your full bill, contact SCE about payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls behind.
Setting up online payment and autopay
To pay online, log into your SCE account at sce.com using your account number and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your account number, service address, and ZIP code. Once logged in, select "Pay My Bill" and choose whether to pay now or schedule a payment for a future date.
For autopay, go to your account settings and select "Enroll in AutoPay." You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number (for bank account payments) or credit card information. SCE charges no fee for autopay from a bank account, but some credit card companies may charge a cash advance fee — check with your card issuer first.
You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, you will return to manual payment, so mark your due date on a calendar or set a phone reminder to avoid late fees.
Understanding your due date and late payment charges
Your due date appears on your bill, typically 20 to 30 days after the bill is issued. If you pay after the due date, SCE adds a late charge of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. This charge compounds monthly, so a bill that stays unpaid for several months becomes significantly more expensive.
If your payment arrives on the due date or earlier, no late charge applies, even if you are paying only part of the balance. However, the unpaid portion will appear on your next bill and will accrue late charges if not paid by that bill's due date.
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact SCE before the deadline. The company offers payment plans for customers who cannot pay in full, and these plans may help you avoid late charges and service disconnection.
What to do if you cannot pay your full bill
SCE offers several options if you are struggling to pay. You can request a payment plan that spreads your balance over several months, with payments due on your regular billing date. Payment plans are available for balances of $150 or more, and you can set up a plan by calling 1-800-655-4555 or through your online account.
If you have a low income, you may be may be able to access for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which reduces your bill by 15% to 20%. You can also ask about the Family Electric Rate Discount (FERD) program if you have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Both programs require you to provide proof of income.
If you are facing disconnection, contact SCE immediately. The company has rules about how much notice it must give before shutting off service, and it may pause disconnection if you are working on a payment plan or have applied for a hardship program.
Paying a past-due or disconnection notice bill
If your account is past due, SCE will send you a disconnection notice stating the amount owed and the date service will be shut off if you do not pay. This notice gives you at least 16 days to pay before disconnection occurs. The amount due includes your unpaid balance plus any late charges and a disconnection notice fee.
Pay this bill immediately through any of the payment methods listed above. Online and phone payments post the same day, while mail payments take 7 to 10 days. If you pay before the disconnection date, your service will not be interrupted. If you cannot pay the full amount, call SCE right away to discuss a payment plan or other options.
After disconnection, you must pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee (typically $75 to $150) to restore service. Reconnection usually happens within one business day of payment, but may take longer if the outage occurs on a weekend or holiday.
Checking your payment history and account status
Log into your SCE account online to view your payment history, which shows every payment you have made, the date it posted, and the amount. This record is useful if you need to dispute a payment or confirm that a payment went through. You can also download or print your payment history for your records.
Your account status shows whether your bill is current, past due, or scheduled for disconnection. If you see an error — for example, a payment that you made but that has not posted yet — contact SCE customer service at 1-800-655-4555 to report it. Payments made online or by phone usually post within one business day, while mail payments take 7 to 10 days.
If you are enrolled in autopay, your account will show the scheduled payment date and amount. Review this information each month to make sure the payment is correct and will post on time.
Avoiding common payment mistakes
The most common mistake is mailing a payment too close to the due date. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days, so if you mail a payment one week before the due date, it may not arrive in time. Send mail payments at least two weeks early, or use online or phone payment instead.
Another mistake is paying the wrong amount. Always pay at least the full amount shown on your bill under "Amount Due." If you pay less, the unpaid portion will carry over to your next bill and will accrue late charges. If you are unsure of the amount, log into your account or call customer service.
Do not assume that autopay will catch every payment. Check your account each month to confirm that the payment posted and that your bill is current. If autopay fails (for example, because your bank account closed), SCE will send you a notice, but you are responsible for making sure the payment goes through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my SCE bill with a credit card online?
Yes, you can pay with a credit card through your SCE account online or by phone. However, SCE does not charge a fee for this service, but your credit card company may charge a cash advance fee. Check with your card issuer before paying with a credit card, or use a debit card or bank account instead.
What happens if I pay after the due date?
SCE adds a late charge of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. This charge compounds monthly, so the longer you wait to pay, the more you owe. Paying even one day late triggers the charge, so aim to pay on or before the due date shown on your bill.
How long does it take for an online payment to post?
Online payments typically post to your account within one business day. If you pay on a weekend or holiday, the payment may not post until the next business day. You can check your payment status in your online account or by calling customer service.
Can I set up a payment plan if I owe a large amount?
Yes, SCE offers payment plans for balances of $150 or more. You can request a plan by calling 1-800-655-4555 or through your online account. The plan spreads your balance over several months, with payments due on your regular billing date. Payment plans may help you avoid late charges and service disconnection.
What should I do if my autopay payment fails?
SCE will send you a notice if autopay fails. Contact your bank or credit card company to find out why the payment did not go through, and make a manual payment right away to avoid late charges. You can also update your payment method in your account settings and re-enroll in autopay.