How to Pay Your Santee Cooper Electric Bill Online and by Mail

Santee Cooper bill pay basics

Santee Cooper is the public utility that provides electricity to parts of South Carolina, primarily in the Lowcountry and Midlands regions. You can pay your bill through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment processed and whether you want to set up automatic payments.

Santee Cooper does not charge a fee for any standard payment method. If you pay online through their website or call their automated system, the payment posts the same business day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern time. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to reach their processing center, so plan ahead if your due date is approaching.

Your bill shows your account number in the top right corner. You will need this number to pay online, by phone, or through automatic bank transfers. Keep your bill handy when you set up any payment method for the first time.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through Santee Cooper's website posts the same business day at no charge if you submit before 5 p.m. Eastern time.
• Automatic bank draft (ACH) withdrawals can be set up through your Santee Cooper account to pay on your due date each month without logging in.
• Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid late fees.
• Phone payments are processed when ready and cost nothing, but you must call during business hours to speak with a representative or use the automated system.
• Late payments trigger a reconnection fee if your service is disconnected, so contact Santee Cooper before your due date if you cannot pay in full.

Paying online through your Santee Cooper account

Go to santeecooper.com and select "Pay My Bill" from the homepage. You will be asked to log in with your account number and either your password or the last four digits of the phone number on file. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one by selecting "Register" and entering your account number and service address.

Once logged in, your current bill amount and due date appear on the screen. Enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay more than the minimum if you wish) and choose your payment date. If you select today's date and submit before 5 p.m. Eastern time, the payment posts when ready. If you choose a future date, Santee Cooper will process it on that day.

You will be asked to enter a bank account number and routing number for the payment. Santee Cooper uses ACH (Automated Clearing House), which is the same system banks use for direct deposit. The payment is deducted from your account within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email if you have an email address on file.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

Automatic payments remove the need to log in each month. Log into your Santee Cooper account, select "Billing & Payments," then "Autopay." Choose whether you want the full bill amount or a fixed amount deducted each month. Select your due date or a specific day of the month, and enter your bank account and routing number.

Santee Cooper will withdraw the payment automatically on the date you choose, every month until you cancel. You can pause or stop autopay at any time through your account. If your bill amount changes (which it does seasonally for most customers), the full bill amount will be deducted if you chose that option, or your fixed amount will be deducted if you set a specific dollar figure.

Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees and do not want to remember to pay each month. However, review your bill before the withdrawal date to make sure the amount is correct, especially if you dispute a charge or expect an adjustment.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call Santee Cooper's customer service line at 1-800-922-1117. You can speak with a representative during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or use the automated phone system 24 hours a day. Have your account number and bank account information ready. Phone payments are processed the same day and cost nothing.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to Santee Cooper and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill under "Make Payments To." Do not mail cash. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to arrive and post to your account. If your due date is fewer than 10 days away, use online or phone payment instead to avoid a late fee.

Some Santee Cooper customers can also pay in person at authorized payment centers in their service area. Call 1-800-922-1117 to find the nearest location and confirm their hours before you visit.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, Santee Cooper adds a late fee to your next bill. The amount of the late fee varies but is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat fee, shown in your service agreement. You will also receive a past-due notice in the mail.

If you do not pay within 30 days of the due date, Santee Cooper may disconnect your service. Before disconnection occurs, you will receive a disconnect notice. If your service is disconnected, you must pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore power. The reconnection fee is separate from your bill and is charged each time service is restored.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact Santee Cooper before the due date to discuss your options. They may offer a payment plan that allows you to pay in installments over several weeks or months. Payment plans are not may provide, but calling before you miss a payment gives you the best chance of working out an arrangement.

Troubleshooting common payment issues

If you receive a message that your online payment was declined, the most common reasons are an incorrect bank account number, insufficient funds in your account, or a hold placed by your bank. Check that your routing number and account number are correct (your bank statement shows both). If the numbers are correct, contact your bank to confirm the account has funds and no holds are in place.

If you paid online or by phone but your account still shows a past-due balance a few days later, the payment may still be processing. ACH payments take one to two business days to clear. Check your account again after two business days. If the payment still has not posted, call Santee Cooper at 1-800-922-1117 with your confirmation number.

If you paid by mail and your payment has not posted after 10 business days, contact Santee Cooper with the date you mailed the check and the check number. They can search their records to see if the payment arrived. If the check was lost in the mail, you may need to stop payment on the original check and send a new one, or pay by another method to avoid a late fee while you investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Santee Cooper bill with a credit card?

Santee Cooper does not accept credit card payments directly through their website or phone line. You can pay only with a bank account (ACH), check, or money order. Some third-party payment processors may allow you to pay a Santee Cooper bill with a credit card, but they charge a fee for this service, which Santee Cooper does not.

What time does my online payment need to be submitted to post the same day?

Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day post the same day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding Santee Cooper's observed holidays.

Can I change or cancel an automatic payment after I set it up?

Yes. Log into your Santee Cooper account, go to "Billing & Payments," then "Autopay," and select "Pause" or "Cancel." Changes take effect when ready for future payments. If you need to stop a payment that is scheduled to process within the next day or two, call customer service at 1-800-922-1117 to may support it does not go through.

What should I do if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Call Santee Cooper at 1-800-922-1117 before your due date to discuss a payment plan or other options. Calling before you miss a payment is important because it shows good faith and gives Santee Cooper a chance to help you avoid late fees and disconnection. Have your account number and information about your hardship ready when you call.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Online and phone payments show a confirmation number when ready after you submit them. Check your email for a confirmation receipt if you have an email address on file with Santee Cooper. Log into your account a few hours later to see the payment reflected in your account history. Mail payments take longer to appear; check your account after 10 business days.