How to Pay Your National Grid Bill Online

How to pay National Grid online

National Grid's online bill pay system lets you pay your electric or gas bill through their website or mobile app without writing a check or calling a phone number. You can set up a one-time payment, schedule recurring payments, or pay a past-due balance. The payment posts to your account within one to two business days, though the utility company recommends paying at least five business days before your due date to avoid a late fee.

You'll need your National Grid account number (found on your bill) and a bank account or debit card to get your free guide. The system is free — National Grid does not charge a fee for online payments made through their website or app.

Key Takeaways

• National Grid's online payment system accepts payments from a checking or savings account, debit card, or credit card, and posts within one to two business days.
• You can make a one-time payment, set up automatic recurring payments, or pay an overdue balance through the same login portal.
• The payment important date is typically five business days before your due date to avoid a late fee, though you can pay on the due date itself if needed.
• You will need your account number from your bill and either a bank account or debit card to complete a payment.

Setting up your National Grid online account

Before you can pay online, you need to create or log into your National Grid account on their website. Go to the National Grid website for your state — National Grid operates in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, and each state has its own login portal. Click "Sign In" or "Create Account" if this is your first time.

To create an account, you'll enter your account number (on your bill), your zip code, and the last name on the account. National Grid will send a verification code to the email address you provide. Once you verify your email, you can set a password and log in. If you already have an account, straightforward enter your username and password to proceed to the payment screen.

Making a one-time payment

After you log in, look for "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" on the dashboard. Select the account you want to pay if you have more than one. National Grid will show your current balance and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a past-due balance.

Choose your payment method: bank account (checking or savings), debit card, or credit card. If you use a bank account, you'll enter your routing number and account number. For a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Review the payment details and confirm. National Grid will show you a confirmation number on screen and send a receipt to your email.

Setting up automatic recurring payments

If you want National Grid to withdraw your payment automatically each month, select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" from the payment menu. Choose the amount (your full bill, a fixed dollar amount, or a minimum payment), the payment method, and the day of the month you want the payment to come out. Most customers choose a date a few days after they receive their bill or a few days before the due date.

Once autopay is active, National Grid will deduct the payment on your chosen date each month. You can change or cancel autopay anytime by logging back into your account and adjusting your payment settings. If you cancel, make sure you have another way to pay your bill so you don't miss a payment.

Paying a past-due or overdue balance

If your bill is overdue, log in and look for "Past Due Balance" or "Overdue Amount" on your account summary. National Grid will show how much you owe and any late fees that have been added. You can pay the overdue amount in full or set up a payment plan, depending on your situation and National Grid's policies in your state.

If you cannot pay the full amount right away, contact National Grid's customer service to discuss a payment arrangement. Some states have rules that prevent utilities from shutting off service while you're working out a payment plan, but this varies. Paying online as soon as you can helps avoid additional fees and service interruption.

Using the National Grid mobile app

National Grid offers a mobile app for iPhone and Android that lets you pay your bill from your phone. read the app from the App Store or Google Play, log in with the same username and password you use on the website, and tap "Pay Bill." The process is the same as paying online — select your account, enter the amount, choose your payment method, and confirm.

The app also shows your current balance, due date, usage history, and payment history in one place. You can set up autopay through the app as well. Notifications can remind you when your bill is due or when a payment has posted.

What to do if your payment doesn't go through

If your payment is declined, National Grid will tell you why — usually because the bank account or card information is incorrect, the account has insufficient funds, or the card has expired. Check that you entered your routing number and account number correctly, or that your card number and expiration date are current. If the information is correct, contact your bank to make sure the payment is not being blocked.

If you need to pay urgently and the online system is not working, you can pay by phone by calling National Grid's customer service number (on your bill) or by mailing a check. Payments by phone may have a fee depending on your state and payment method, so online is usually the cheapest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

National Grid typically posts online payments within one to two business days. If you pay on a Friday, the payment may not appear until Tuesday. For this reason, National Grid recommends paying at least five business days before your due date to make sure the payment posts before any late fees are charged.

Can I pay someone else's National Grid bill online?

You can pay another person's bill only if you have access to their National Grid online account or if they have authorized you as a third-party payer. To set this up, the account holder logs into their National Grid account and adds you as an authorized user. You'll then be able to view the account and make payments on their behalf.

Is there a fee to pay my National Grid bill online?

No. National Grid does not charge a fee for payments made through their website or mobile app using a bank account or debit card. Some states allow credit card payments but may charge a small processing fee for that method — National Grid will tell you the fee before you confirm the payment.

What should I do if I need to dispute a charge on my bill?

Contact National Grid's customer service before or after you pay. You can dispute a charge, ask for an explanation of a fee, or request a meter reading. National Grid will investigate and may adjust your bill if there is an error. Paying online does not prevent you from disputing charges — you can still contact them about any bill you disagree with.

Can I set up autopay and still make manual payments?

Yes. If you have autopay turned on, you can still make additional one-time payments anytime you want. This is useful if you want to pay extra toward your balance or if you want to pay before your autopay date. Both the automatic payment and any manual payments you make will show on your account.