SCE bill payment basics

Southern California Edison (SCE) is the utility company that provides electricity to central, coastal and southern California. If you receive an SCE bill, you have several ways to pay it: online through their website, by phone, through automatic bank transfers, by mail, or in person at payment centers. Most people find online or automatic payment fastest, but the method that works best depends on whether you want to pay once or set up recurring payments.

SCE does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The company processes most online and phone payments the same day you submit them, though the money may take one to two business days to reach your account. Payments made by mail typically take five to seven business days to process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay your SCE bill online at sce.com, by calling 1-800-655-4769, or by setting up automatic payments from your bank account.
  • Online and phone payments are processed the same day but may take one to two business days to show on your account.
  • Automatic bank transfers (ACH) are the fastest way to may support your bill is paid on time every month without having to remember each due date.
  • If you pay by mail, allow five to seven business days for SCE to receive and process your payment.
  • SCE does not charge fees for any standard payment method, but third-party payment services may charge their own fees.

Paying online through SCE's website

Go to sce.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually located near the top of the homepage. You will need your SCE account number, which appears on your bill, and a valid payment method — a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Enter the amount you want to pay and the date you want the payment to process.

SCE's online system shows you the current balance due and any past-due amounts. If you have multiple properties or accounts with SCE, you can pay each one separately. The system will confirm your payment when ready and send you a confirmation number by email. Save this number in case you need to reference the payment later.

Paying by phone

Call SCE's automated payment line at 1-800-655-4769. You will need your account number and a debit card, credit card, or bank account information. The system will read your current balance and ask you to confirm the amount you want to pay and the date you want it processed. The call takes about five minutes.

If you prefer to speak with a representative instead of using the automated system, you can request to be transferred. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Wait times vary depending on call volume.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. You can set this up through sce.com by creating an online account, or by calling 1-800-655-4769 and asking to enroll in AutoPay. SCE offers two automatic payment options: pay the full bill amount each month, or pay a fixed amount you choose.

Automatic payments are deducted from your bank account on or shortly after your bill's due date. You can change or cancel AutoPay at any time through your online account or by calling SCE. If you set up automatic payments, SCE will still send you a bill each month so you can verify the charges are correct.

Paying by mail or in person

If you prefer to pay by check or money order, include your account number on the payment and mail it to the address shown on your bill. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow five to seven business days for your payment to arrive and be processed. SCE's mailing address varies by region, so check your bill for the correct location.

Some SCE payment centers accept in-person payments during business hours. These locations are listed on sce.com under "Payment Locations." In-person payments are processed when ready, and you receive a receipt on the spot. This method is useful if you need proof of payment right away or if you do not have online or phone access.

What to do if your payment does not go through

If an online or phone payment fails, SCE will notify you when ready and explain why — usually because the card was declined or the bank account information was incorrect. Do not attempt to pay again right away. Instead, check that your payment information is correct, then try once more or use a different payment method.

If a payment you made does not appear on your account after two business days, log into your online account or call 1-800-655-4769 to confirm it was received. Have your confirmation number ready. SCE can look up the payment in their system and tell you its status. If the payment was lost, SCE can help you resubmit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SCE charge a fee to pay my bill online or by phone?

No. SCE does not charge fees for payments made through their website, phone line, or automatic bank transfers. However, if you use a third-party payment service or pay with a credit card through a third-party processor, that service may charge its own fee. Always check before you submit payment.

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

Online and phone payments are processed the same day you submit them, but the money may take one to two business days to appear on your account. Payments by mail take five to seven business days. Automatic bank transfers typically post within one business day.

Can I pay someone else's SCE bill?

Yes, but you will need their account number. You can pay another person's bill online or by phone using the same methods described above. The account holder will still receive the bill and can see the payment was made, but you do not need their permission to submit payment.

What happens if I miss my due date?

SCE will charge a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. If you know you will be late, call SCE to discuss your options. They may be able to extend your due date or set up a payment plan.

Can I set up automatic payments for just part of my bill?

Yes. When you enroll in AutoPay, you can choose to pay a fixed amount each month instead of the full bill. This is useful if you want to spread payments across the month or if you are on a budget plan. You will still be responsible for any remaining balance.