How to Pay Your Southern California Edison Bill Online and by Mail

Pay Southern California Edison through their website or by phone

Southern California Edison (SCE) lets you pay your bill online through their customer portal, by phone, or by mail. The fastest way is their website at sce.com — you log in with your account number and make a one-time payment or set up automatic payments from a bank account or debit card. You can also call their payment line at 1-800-655-4555 to pay by phone with a debit card or bank account.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Mail payments take longer to process — typically 7 to 10 business days — so send them early if your due date is coming up. SCE does not charge a fee for online or phone payments made from a bank account, but paying by debit card online may carry a small fee depending on the payment processor.

Key Takeaways

• SCE's website at sce.com is the fastest way to pay; payments post within one business day when you pay from a bank account.
• You can set up automatic monthly payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to log in.
• Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them well before your due date to avoid late fees.
• Paying by phone at 1-800-655-4555 works the same day but requires you to have your account number and bank details ready.
• SCE does not charge a fee for bank account payments online, though debit card payments may have a small processing fee.

How to set up automatic payments on SCE's website

Automatic payments mean your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to remember or log in. On sce.com, go to "Billing & Payment" and select "Autopay." You will enter your bank account or debit card information and choose the date you want the payment to come out each month. SCE recommends picking a date after your bill arrives so you can review it first, but you can change the date anytime.

Once autopay is set up, you can still log in and make extra payments if you want to pay more than the automatic amount. You can also pause or cancel autopay at any time through the same menu. If your bill amount changes significantly — for example, if you move or your usage drops — you can adjust the autopay amount or switch to paying the full bill amount automatically instead of a fixed dollar amount.

What to do if you cannot pay by the due date

If you know you cannot pay by your due date, contact SCE before the date arrives. Call 1-800-655-4555 or log into your account online to see if you can request a payment extension or a different due date. SCE may be able to give you extra time, though this depends on your account history and the reason for the delay.

If your bill goes unpaid past the due date, SCE will charge a late fee and may eventually disconnect your service. If you are having trouble paying because of financial hardship, SCE has programs that may help — you can ask about these when you call, or visit their website to learn more about what programs may be available in your area.

Paying SCE by mail or in person

To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the amount shown on your bill and mail it to the address printed on the bill itself. Include your account number on the check so SCE knows which account the payment is for. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to show up in your account, so if your due date is soon, mailing is not the fastest option.

SCE does not accept payments at walk-in locations, so online or phone payment is faster if you need to pay right away. Some third-party payment services may let you pay SCE in person at their locations, but these often charge a fee. Paying directly through SCE's website or phone line is free and reaches them faster.

Understanding your SCE bill and payment options

Your SCE bill shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date at the top. Below that you will see your usage for the billing period, the rate you were charged, and any taxes or fees. The due date is usually about 20 days after the bill is mailed. If you pay online, the payment posts within one business day; if you pay by mail, allow 7 to 10 days.

SCE bills on a monthly cycle, and your due date stays the same each month unless you change it. If you have multiple properties or accounts with SCE, you can log into the website and switch between accounts to pay each one separately. You can also set up autopay for each account with different payment dates if you want.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date, SCE will add a late fee to your next bill. The amount of the late fee varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. After 30 days past due, SCE may send you a disconnection notice warning that your service will be shut off if you do not pay. If you reach 60 or more days past due, SCE can disconnect your electricity without further notice.

If your service is disconnected, you will need to pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee to get power restored. Reconnection can take several days to schedule. If you fall behind, contact SCE as soon as possible — they may be able to work out a payment plan or connect you with financial resources before disconnection happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my SCE bill with a credit card?

SCE's website does not accept credit card payments directly. You can pay with a debit card or bank account. Some third-party payment services may let you pay SCE with a credit card, but they typically charge a fee for this service.

How do I know if my online payment went through?

After you submit a payment on sce.com, you will see a confirmation number on the screen and receive a confirmation email. You can also log back into your account and check your payment history to see the payment listed. Payments from a bank account post within one business day.

What if I pay too much by accident?

If you overpay, SCE will credit the extra amount to your next bill. You can also request a refund by calling 1-800-655-4555, though this may take a few weeks to process. The credit will stay on your account until you use it or request the refund.

Can I change my due date?

Yes. Log into your account on sce.com and go to "Billing & Payment" to change your due date. You can pick any date between the 1st and the 28th of the month. The change usually takes effect on your next bill.

Is there a fee for paying online?

No fee if you pay from a bank account. Debit card payments may have a small processing fee depending on the payment method you choose. Paying by phone or mail is also free.