What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Avista Bill
Avista is a publically owned company that provides electricity and gas to customers in the Washington, Oregon and Idaho areas. More than 481,000 customers benefit from excellent customer service of Avista. Thoroughly committed to the customer, Avista provides several options for customers that can’t pay their electricity or gas bill.
How to Pay the Bill
Pay online: Customers can pay your Avista bill online by visiting https://www.avistautilities.com/account/_layouts/avista/membership/signin.aspx?signinonly=true?ReturnUrl=%2f_layouts%2favista%2ftransactions%2febillenrollment.aspx. Simply sign into your online account and pay with your savings or checking account. There are no fees associated with online bill payment.
Third party payment: Customers can pay your Avista bill through Kubra, a third-party vendor of Avista. Acceptable methods of payment include credit cards, debit cards, checking or savings accounts. The service costs $4.25 per occurrence.
Pay in person: Customers can pay your Avista bill in person by visiting payment centers which are located in Washington State, Oregon and Idaho.
Pay by mail: Customers can mail your Avista bill to:
Avista Utilities
1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, WA 99252-0001
Automatic payment: Customers can pay your Avista automatically by having the amount deducted on a monthly basis. Funds are deducted from your checking or savings account. Avista does not charge a service fee for this service.
Pay by phone: Customers can pay your Avista bill by phone by calling 1-800-227-9187. Acceptable methods of payments include credit cards and debit cards. Avista charges a $4.25 fee per occurrence.
Questions About Your Billing Statement or Account?
Avista Utilities offers a Energy Pricing page that lists rates, tariffs and fees by state and service. You’ll need to choose your state from the links and find the Rules and Regulations link on the following page. Scroll through the fees listed for restoration fees and collection fees. Avista customer service is available at 1-800-227-9187.
How the Penalty Fees Work
We spoke to customer service at Avista. They explained to us that the company charges fees for returned checks, late payments and charges a security deposit. The assessed fees are due on the scheduled date and if not paid, the customer’s service could potentially be disrupted. This results in a reconnection fee.
Idaho Electric
- Returned payment fee: $20
- Field collection charge: $16
- Reconnect charge: $24 to $48
Idaho Gas
- Returned payment fee: $20
- ACH withdrawal charge: $1.50
- Field collection charge: $16
- Reconnect charge: $24 to $48
Oregon Gas
- Returned payment fee: $5
- Late payment fee: $0 if bill is less than $50; $3 or more for bills $51 and more
Washington Electric
- Disconnect visit charge: $8
- Reconnect fee: $16 to $32
Washington Gas
- Disconnect visit charge: $8
- Reconnect charge: $16 to $48
I Can’t Make a Payment
Avista offers several options to customers that can’t pay your bill. The option available from Avista is LIRAP and payment arrangements. Several other community action agencies are available within Oregon, Washington State and Idaho.
- Payment arrangements – Customers can set up payment arrangements by calling customer service at 1-800-227-9187. Several payment options are available.
- LIRAP – funded by Avista for qualified low-income customers.
- LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance Program– Federally funded program designed for qualified low-income customers.
- Community Connections of NE Oregon
- United Community Network
- Community Action Partnership
- OIC of Washington
- Spokane Neighborhood Action Program Downtown
Will They Work With Me to Pay My Bill?
What was your experience with Avista? Did they provide you with options in the event you can’t pay your Avista bill? We want to hear from customers just like you. Leave us a comment.
