SMUD Bill Pay basics

SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) lets you pay your electric or gas bill through their website, by phone, through automatic bank transfers, or by mail. The fastest route is their online portal at smud.org, where you can pay when ready with a bank account or debit card. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call their payment line, set up automatic payments, or mail a check — each method takes different amounts of time to process.

SMUD does not charge a fee for paying online with a bank account or setting up automatic payments. Paying by debit or credit card online does carry a fee (the amount varies depending on the payment processor SMUD uses at any given time). Mailed checks are free but take longer to reach them and post to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay SMUD bills online at smud.org, by phone at the number on your bill, by mail, or through automatic bank transfers — each method has different processing times.
  • Paying online with a bank account or setting up automatic payments costs nothing; paying with a debit or credit card online includes a fee.
  • Online and phone payments usually post to your account the same day or next business day, while mailed checks take five to seven business days.
  • Setting up automatic payments means you choose a date each month and SMUD withdraws the amount from your bank account without you having to act.
  • If you have trouble paying or your bill is higher than expected, SMUD has payment plans and programs for customers with low income.

Paying online through the SMUD website

Go to smud.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Account" section. You will need your SMUD account number (on your bill) and either a bank account or debit card. If you are paying for the first time, you may need to create a login or register your account. Once you are logged in, select the bill you want to pay, enter the amount, and choose your payment method.

Payments made with a bank account (checking or savings) before 5 p.m. Pacific time usually post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends typically post the next business day. Debit and credit card payments follow the same timing but include a processing fee. SMUD's website will show you the fee amount before you confirm the payment.

Automatic payments and bank transfers

Automatic payments mean SMUD withdraws money from your bank account on a date you choose each month — usually around the same time your bill arrives or on a date that works for your budget. You set this up once through smud.org or by calling SMUD's customer service line (the number is on your bill). There is no fee for automatic payments from a bank account.

You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your SMUD account online or by calling. If you want to pause payments for a month, you can do that without canceling the whole setup. Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees and do not want to remember to pay each month, but you should still check your bill when it arrives to make sure the amount is correct.

Paying by phone

Call the phone number on your SMUD bill to reach their automated payment line. You will need your account number and a bank account or debit card. The automated system will walk you through entering the amount and confirming the payment. You can also speak to a representative if you prefer, though this may take longer.

Phone payments are processed the same way as online payments — bank account payments post the same day or next business day, and debit card payments include a fee. Phone payments are helpful if you do not have internet access or prefer not to use the website.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order, include your account number on the check, and mail it to the address printed on your bill. SMUD's mailing address is usually on the back of your bill or in the payment section. Mail your payment at least one week before your due date to make sure it arrives on time.

Mailed checks typically take five to seven business days to arrive and post to your account. If you mail a payment close to the due date, SMUD may record it as late even if you mailed it on time, because the date they receive it matters, not the date you sent it. Keep a copy of your check or a photo of it for your records.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If your bill is higher than you expected or you do not have the full amount right now, contact SMUD before your due date. They offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. You can set up a payment plan by calling their customer service line or through your online account.

SMUD also has programs for customers with low income, including discounts on rates and help paying bills. Ask about the SMUD Care program or other information when you call. These programs have income limits, and you will need to provide information about your household income, but there is no fee to learn whether you may be able to use them.

Avoiding late fees and service interruption

Your bill shows a due date, usually about 20 days after the bill date. If you do not pay by that date, SMUD charges a late fee. If you do not pay within about 60 days, SMUD may shut off your service. The exact timeline depends on SMUD's current policies, so check your bill or call them if you are unsure.

If you are behind on payments, contact SMUD right away. They may be able to work out a payment plan or connect you with information programs before they shut off your service. Once service is shut off, you will have to pay a reconnection fee in addition to what you owe on your bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's SMUD bill?

Yes, if you have their account number. You can pay online at smud.org by entering their account number instead of your own, or you can mail a check with their account number written on it. If you are paying by phone, tell the representative whose account you are paying for.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up?

Bank account payments usually post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and your payment still does not show, log into your SMUD account and check the payment history to see if it went through. If it shows as pending, wait one more day. If it shows as failed, try paying again or call SMUD's customer service line.

Is it safe to pay SMUD online?

SMUD's website uses encryption to protect your bank account and payment information. You should only pay through smud.org or by calling the number on your bill — do not pay through links in emails or texts, even if they look like they are from SMUD, because scammers sometimes send fake payment requests.

Can I set up automatic payments and still change the amount each month?

No, automatic payments withdraw the same amount on the same date each month. If you want to pay a different amount, you can cancel automatic payments and pay manually that month, or you can contact SMUD to adjust the automatic payment amount going forward.

What happens if I overpay my SMUD bill?

The extra amount stays as a credit on your account and applies to your next bill. If you move or close your account, SMUD will refund any remaining credit, though it may take a few weeks to process.