Southern California Edison's main payment methods

Southern California Edison (SCE) lets you pay your bill through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at payment centers. The fastest route is their website at sce.com — you can pay when ready without waiting for mail delivery or phone hold times. If you do not have internet access or prefer not to enter payment information online, you can call their automated phone line or mail a check to the address printed on your bill.

SCE does not charge a fee for paying through their website, by phone using their automated system, or by mail. If you use a third-party payment processor or pay through a credit card company's bill pay service, that processor may charge you a fee — SCE itself does not. Payments made online or by phone typically post to your account within one business day.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay SCE bills online at sce.com, by phone at 1-800-655-4769, by mail, or at authorized payment centers without paying a fee.
  • Online and phone payments post within one business day, while mailed checks should arrive at least 10 days before your due date to avoid late fees.
  • You can set up automatic monthly payments from a bank account through SCE's website to avoid missing due dates.
  • If you cannot pay your full bill, SCE offers payment arrangements that let you spread the amount over several months.

Paying online through SCE's website

Go to sce.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually near the top of the page. You will need your SCE account number, which appears on your bill, and either your service address or the phone number associated with your account. You can pay as a guest without creating a login, or you can create an account to save your payment history and set up automatic payments.

Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method — bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. Bank account payments are free and post within one business day. Debit card payments are also free through SCE's website, though some banks may charge you a fee on their end. Do not use a credit card on SCE's website; they do not accept them. If you want to pay by credit card, you must use a third-party processor, which will charge you a fee.

After you submit your payment, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you need to contact SCE about the payment. The confirmation email will also arrive in your inbox within a few minutes.

Paying by phone or automatic monthly payments

Call SCE's automated payment line at 1-800-655-4769. You will need your account number and a bank account or debit card. The system will walk you through entering the amount and confirming your payment method. Like online payments, bank account transfers are free and post within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number by phone and by email.

If you want to stop calling every month, you can set up automatic payments through SCE's website. Log into your account, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "Autopay." You choose the payment date each month — SCE recommends picking a date after you receive your bill but before the due date. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, and you will receive an email confirmation each time a payment is processed.

Paying by mail or at payment centers

If you pay by mail, write your account number on the check and mail it to the address printed on your bill. SCE's mailing address varies by region, so always use the address on your bill rather than looking one up online. Mail your check at least 10 days before your due date to make sure it arrives on time and avoids a late fee. SCE processes mailed payments when they arrive, not when you mail them, so delays in mail delivery can cause your payment to post after the due date.

You can also pay in person at authorized payment centers in your service area. SCE's website has a locator tool where you enter your zip code to find nearby locations and their hours. Payment centers accept cash, checks, and debit cards. Some accept credit cards, but fees may explore — ask before you pay. In-person payments post to your account the same day or the next business day.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you do not have the full amount by your due date, contact SCE before the bill becomes overdue. You can call 1-800-655-4769 and ask about a payment arrangement, or log into your account online and look for "Payment Arrangements" in the billing section. SCE typically allows you to split your bill into two or three payments spread over 30 to 60 days, depending on the amount and your account history.

Payment arrangements do not erase the debt or reduce what you owe — they straightforward let you pay it over time. SCE may charge a one-time arrangement fee, though they sometimes waive it if you have not missed payments before. If you are struggling with your bill because of a financial hardship, ask SCE about their low-income programs, which may reduce your monthly costs or provide bill information.

Tracking your payment and resolving problems

After you make a payment, log into your SCE account to confirm it posted. Your account shows the payment date, the amount, and the confirmation number. If you paid online or by phone, the payment should appear within one business day. If you paid by mail, it may take several business days depending on when it arrives at SCE's processing center.

If a payment does not post within the expected timeframe, contact SCE's customer service at 1-800-655-4769. Have your confirmation number ready. If you paid by mail and the check was lost, SCE can help you stop payment on the original check and reissue it. If you paid online or by phone and the payment never posted, SCE can investigate and may reprocess it or issue a credit to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my SCE bill with a credit card?

SCE's website and phone line do not accept credit cards. If you want to pay by credit card, you must use a third-party payment processor, which will charge you a fee — usually 2 to 3 percent of the bill amount. You can find third-party processors through SCE's website under payment options.

What happens if my payment arrives after the due date?

SCE charges a late fee if your payment posts after the due date shown on your bill. The fee is a percentage of your bill amount. If you mail a check, the payment date is when SCE receives it, not when you mail it, so allow at least 10 days for delivery. If you pay online or by phone, the payment posts within one business day, so you can pay up until the due date.

Can I change my automatic payment date?

Yes. Log into your SCE account, go to "Autopay," and select a new payment date. The change takes effect on your next billing cycle. You can also pause or cancel automatic payments anytime through the same menu.

What if I overpay my bill?

If you pay more than you owe, SCE will credit the extra amount to your next bill. You can also request a refund by calling customer service, though it may take several weeks to process. The credit stays on your account indefinitely if you do not request a refund.

Do I need to create an account to pay my bill online?

No. You can pay as a guest using your account number and service address or phone number. Creating an account lets you save your payment history, set up automatic payments, and view your bill online, but it is not required to make a one-time payment.