National Grid's Online Payment Options
National Grid operates in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. You can pay your bill online through the company's website without creating an account, or you can set up an account to save payment methods and view your billing history. The fastest route is the one-time payment option, which takes about five minutes and requires only your account number and the amount you want to pay.
National Grid accepts payments through its website at nationalgridus.com. You can also pay by phone at 1-800-752-6633 (the number varies slightly by state, so check your bill). Both routes charge no fee for online or phone payments made directly to National Grid.
If you use a third-party bill pay service — such as your bank's bill pay feature or a payment aggregator — that service may charge a fee. National Grid itself does not charge for payments made through its own channels.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay National Grid without logging in by visiting nationalgridus.com and selecting the one-time payment option, which requires your account number and the amount owed.
- Creating a National Grid account lets you set up autopay, view past bills, and store payment methods, but is not required for a single payment.
- National Grid charges no fee for payments made directly through its website or phone line, but third-party bill pay services may charge their own fees.
- Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day typically post the same day; weekend and evening payments post the next business day.
One-Time Payment Without an Account
The simplest path is a guest payment. Go to nationalgridus.com, select "Pay My Bill," and choose "Pay as a Guest." You will need your account number (found on your bill) and the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance or a partial amount.
Enter your zip code to confirm your service area, then provide your account number. The site will display your current balance. You then enter a payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account — and confirm the amount. The transaction takes a few minutes to process.
National Grid will send you a confirmation number when ready. Write it down or take a screenshot. You will not receive an email confirmation unless you create an account, so the confirmation number is your proof of payment.
Setting Up a National Grid Online Account
Creating an account takes about ten minutes and requires your account number, email address, and a password you choose. Once logged in, you can view your current and past bills, see your usage history, and set up autopay.
To create an account, go to nationalgridus.com and select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will be asked to verify your identity by providing your account number and either your zip code or the phone number on file. National Grid will send a verification code to your email; enter it to complete setup.
An account is useful if you pay regularly and want to avoid entering your information each time. It also lets you see your bill as soon as it is issued, rather than waiting for the paper copy to arrive.
Setting Up Autopay for Recurring Payments
Autopay deducts your bill automatically on a date you choose each month. You can set it up only through your National Grid account, not as a guest. Once logged in, go to "Billing & Payments" and select "Autopay." You will choose a payment method and the day of the month when you want the payment to occur.
National Grid recommends choosing a date after your bill is issued but before the due date. You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account. If your bill amount varies month to month (as it does for most customers), National Grid will deduct the full amount due each billing cycle.
Autopay is free and removes the risk of a late payment if you forget to pay manually. You can still log in and view your bill before the autopay date if you want to check the amount.
Payment Methods and Processing Times
National Grid accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank accounts (checking or savings). Credit card payments may incur a fee from your card issuer, though National Grid itself charges nothing. Bank account payments have no fee.
Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day (Monday through Friday) post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. National Grid does not process payments on Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays.
If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, National Grid extends the due date to the next business day. Paying on the due date itself is safe; paying after the due date may result in a late fee.
What to Do If Your Payment Does Not Post
If you submitted a payment and do not see it reflected in your account within two business days, contact National Grid at 1-800-752-6633. Have your confirmation number ready. National Grid can confirm whether the payment was received and when it will post.
If you paid by bank account and the payment was rejected (for example, due to insufficient funds), National Grid will attempt to reprocess it once. If it fails again, you will need to submit a new payment using a different method.
If you paid by credit or debit card and the transaction was declined, the payment will not post. The decline reason appears on your screen when ready. You can try again with the same card or use a different payment method.
Paying a Past-Due Bill or Reconnection Fee
If your service has been shut off or is at risk of shutoff, you can still pay online. Log into your account or pay as a guest; your balance will include any reconnection fee National Grid has assessed. Paying the full amount owed (including the reconnection fee) online will stop a scheduled shutoff.
If your service is already off, paying online does not restore it when ready. After you pay, contact National Grid at 1-800-752-6633 to request reconnection. A technician must visit your home to turn the service back on, which typically happens within one business day of payment.
If you cannot pay the full amount, National Grid offers payment plans for past-due balances. You must set these up by phone; they cannot be arranged online. Call 1-800-752-6633 and ask about a deferred payment agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my National Grid bill with a prepaid card?
Yes, if the prepaid card is branded as a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. National Grid treats prepaid cards the same as regular debit or credit cards. The card must have a current balance equal to or greater than the amount you are paying.
What happens if I pay more than I owe?
The overpayment becomes a credit on your account. National Grid will explore it to your next bill. If you want a refund instead, contact National Grid and request one; refunds are processed by check and take two to four weeks.
Is it safe to pay National Grid online?
National Grid uses encryption and security protocols standard for utility companies. Your payment information is not stored on the site unless you create an account and choose to save a payment method. If you are uncomfortable entering your card or bank details online, you can pay by phone at 1-800-752-6633 instead.
Can I schedule a payment for a future date?
The online payment tool does not have a scheduling feature. You can pay only for the current date or the same day. If you want to pay on a specific future date, set up autopay through your account and choose that date, or call 1-800-752-6633 to arrange a payment by phone.
What if I do not have my account number?
Your account number appears on your bill. If you do not have a recent bill, you can find your account number by creating a National Grid account online — the site will ask for your zip code and phone number to verify your identity. Once verified, your account number will display in your account dashboard.