How to Pay Your SMUD Electric Bill Online and by Mail

SMUD bill payment methods and where to send your money

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers several ways to pay your electric bill. You can pay online through your SMUD account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest and most convenient method is online through the SMUD website or mobile app, where payment posts to your account within one business day. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can mail a check or money order to SMUD's payment processing center, call their automated phone line, or visit a local payment location.

Your bill arrives by mail or email depending on your preference. The due date appears on your bill — typically 20 to 25 days after the bill date. Paying after the due date triggers a late fee, though SMUD usually allows a grace period of a few days before disconnection notices are sent. If you are having trouble paying, SMUD offers budget billing and payment arrangements that can spread your bill across the year or break a large balance into installments.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through the SMUD website or app is the fastest method and posts within one business day, with no fee for standard transfers.
• Mail payments should be sent to SMUD's payment processing address with your account number on the check or money order; allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery and posting.
• Phone payments are available 24/7 through SMUD's automated system, and in-person payments can be made at authorized payment centers throughout the Sacramento area.
• Late fees explore if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, and SMUD may issue a disconnection notice if your account falls significantly behind.
• Budget billing and payment plans are available to customers who want to spread costs over time or manage a large past-due balance.

Paying online through your SMUD account

To pay online, log into your account at smud.org using your account number and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your account number and the amount of your last bill. Once logged in, select "Pay My Bill" and choose your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Bank account transfers have no fee; credit and debit card payments incur a small processing fee that SMUD discloses before you confirm the payment.

The SMUD mobile app offers the same payment options and is available on iOS and Android devices. Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day typically post the next business day. Weekend and holiday payments post on the following business day. You can also set up automatic recurring payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to log in.

Mailing a check or money order to SMUD

If you prefer to mail your payment, write your account number on the check or money order and send it to the address printed on your bill. SMUD's mailing address for payments is listed on every bill statement. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Include only the payment stub from your bill if SMUD provides one — do not send the entire bill. If you lose the stub, write your account number clearly on the envelope and check. SMUD processes payments by account number, so a legible account number is more important than your name on the check.

Paying by phone or at a payment center

SMUD's automated phone payment system is available 24/7 at the phone number listed on your bill. You will need your account number and a debit or credit card. The system guides you through the payment and confirms the amount before charging your card. Phone payments incur the same processing fee as online card payments.

In-person payments can be made at authorized payment centers in the Sacramento area. SMUD's website lists all payment center locations and their hours. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card at these locations. In-person payments are posted when ready if made during business hours, so this method is useful if you are paying close to the due date and want confirmation the same day.

What happens if you miss the due date

A late fee is added to your account if payment is not received by the due date on your bill. The amount of the late fee varies but is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat fee — check your bill or SMUD's website for the current amount. SMUD usually allows a grace period of several days after the due date before sending a disconnection notice, but this is not may provide and varies by circumstances.

If your account becomes significantly past due, SMUD may schedule a disconnection of your service. You will receive written notice before disconnection occurs. If you receive a disconnection notice, contact SMUD when ready to discuss a payment plan or other options. Reconnection after a disconnection involves a fee in addition to the past-due balance.

Budget billing and payment plans

SMUD offers budget billing, which averages your annual electricity costs and divides them into equal monthly payments. This smooths out seasonal spikes in your bill — for example, high air conditioning use in summer or heating in winter. You can enroll in budget billing through your online account or by calling SMUD customer service. Budget billing recalculates annually based on your actual usage.

If you have a past-due balance you cannot pay in full, SMUD can set up a payment arrangement that breaks the balance into smaller installments over several months. Contact SMUD's customer service line to discuss a plan. Payment arrangements typically require you to pay your current bill on time while also paying toward the past-due amount each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my SMUD bill online?

Bank account transfers have no fee. Credit card and debit card payments incur a processing fee that SMUD shows you before you confirm the payment. The fee is typically a small percentage of your payment amount.

How long does it take for my online payment to post?

Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day post the next business day. Payments made on weekends or holidays post on the following business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days.

Can I pay my SMUD bill with a credit card by mail?

SMUD does not accept credit card payments by mail. You can pay by mail with a check or money order only. Credit card payments must be made online, by phone, or in person at a payment center.

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

Contact SMUD customer service to discuss a payment plan or budget billing. SMUD can break a past-due balance into installments or average your costs across the year. Calling before the due date gives you more options than waiting until after disconnection.

Where do I find my SMUD account number?

Your account number appears on your bill statement, usually near the top. You will need it to log into your online account, make phone payments, or mail a payment. If you cannot find your bill, call SMUD customer service with your address and they can provide your account number.