What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your AEP Bill
American Electric Power, AEP, is one of the largest electric companies in the United States. Currently, AEP provides service for Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
How to Pay the Bill
One-time payment online: You can pay your AEP bill online at https://www.aepaccount.com/zipr/BillsAndPayments/Default.aspx. You must enter your billing zip code for the service to direct you to the proper payment website. You do not have to sign-up for an account, but you must pay the $2.95 service charge for each transaction. Payments are processed through BillMatrix.
Monthly withdrawal: Customers can visit their online account to set-up automatic monthly payments. Payments are deducted on the due date each month from the payment source listed during sign-up.
Pay in person: Payments can be made in person at select locations in your state. To find a payment location visit the AEP website for your billing location and search for payment locations from the bill payment portion of the website.
Pay by mail: Payments for AEP energy bills can be sent to the appropriate AEP address in your state. AEP services Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Payment mailing addresses differ by state.
Pay by phone: AEP customers can call 1-800-611-0964 to make payments by phone. The payment is processed by a third-party company and will be subject to a processing fee.
Questions About Your Billing Statement or Account?
Customer service, rate information and fee details are available for each billing area. Customers can access the proper website via the Zip Code Search page. Once you’ve found your local AEP website, click the button labeled Your Rates on the right side of the screen. Rates, fees and tariffs will be available on the following page. For more information on rates and fees, contact customer service at 1-800-277-2177.
How the Penalty Fees Work
- Late payment charge: If you pay your AEP bill past the due date, a late payment charge of 5% of the bill amount will be added to the amount due.
- Security deposit: Security deposits may be required at the time service is started. The total deposit cannot be more than the average 30-day billed amount plus 30%. If payments are consistently paid after the due date, AEP reserves the right to request a security deposit.
I Can’t Make a Payment
- Average monthly billing: This plan allows customers to pay an average amount each month. The bill amount is based upon the previous 12 months of usage and will fluctuate from month to month. Using less energy will reduce the billed amount. Using more energy will increase the billed amount.
- Budget billing: Budget billing is based on an estimated year of AEP service at your location. The plan is broken into 12 equal payments. The amount is reviewed every 6 months and adjusted as needed.
- One-third: During winter months when heating costs are higher, customers can pay 1/3 the total bill. All amounts must be paid in full by April 15th or the customer must contact customer service for additional payment options.
- One-sixth: AEP customers having financial problems can break a past-due bill into six even payments. Each payment is billed in addition to current amounts due.
- One-ninth: For extreme financial hardship, customer can break a past due bill into nine even payments made in addition to the current amounts due.
- Payment extension: If you need a little more time to pay your bill, contact customer service at 1-800-277-2177 to request a payment extension.
- PIPP Plus: Customers with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for reduced energy bills. Applications are available on the PIPP Plus website.
- LIHEAP: LIHEAP home energy assistance program is available in some states. Customers must meet income guidelines to qualify.
Will They Work With Me to Pay My Bill?
Drop us a note and tell us how AEP worked to help you out of bill trouble.
