What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Dakota Electric Bill
Dakota Electric was established in 1937 by local residents with the assistance of the Rural Electrification Administration. This member-owned electric company services more than 100,000 members in the northern counties of Minnesota, including, Dakota, Goodhue, Rice and Scott.
How to Pay Your Bill
Pay online: Customers wishing to pay your Dakota Electric bill online by visiting https://secure3.i-doxs.net/dakota/enroll.asp . The service is available for a one-time payment or for recurring monthly payments. When you make a payment online:
- Credit card or debit card – A convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill for each segment of $500.
- Electronic check – Regardless of the amount, a convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill.
Pay by mail: You can pay your Dakota Electric bill by sending payments to:
Dakota Electric Association
P.O. Box 64427
St. Paul, MN 55164-0427
Dakota Electric requests that you do not send cash and write your account number on the check or money order.
Pay in person: Dakota Electric offers one convenient location to pay your bill in person. The location is:
Dakota Electric’s Headquarters
4300 220th St. W.
Farmington, MN 55024
The location is open Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4:30 pm. The drive through window is open until 7 pm throughout the week. The drop box is available 24 hours. You can pay with money order, check or cash.
Pay by phone: You can pay your bill by phone by dialing 1-800-935-4850. Follow the prompts and pay your bill with an electronic check, debit card or credit card. Convenience fees apply to transactions over the phone:
- Credit card or debit card – A convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill for each segment of $500.
- Electronic check – Regardless of the amount, a convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill.
Pay with automatic deduction: Customer wishing to have their bill automatically deducted from their savings or checking account on a monthly basis can sign up free. You will be assessed a convenience fee with the transaction:
- Credit card or debit card – A convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill for each segment of $500.
- Electronic check – Regardless of the amount, a convenience fee of $3.95 is added to the bill.
Questions About Your Billing Statement or Account?
For more information on late payment fees, returned payment fees and other charges that may appear on your Dakota Electric bill, customers can visit the Rates and Rights page. Customer service is available at 1-800-874-3409 for billing questions.
How the Penalty Fees Work
Dakota Electric charges fees for late payments as well as reconnection of service, in the event your electricity service is disconnected. When we spoke to the customer service representative, they did not disclose the specific reconnection fee, but provided the information on where to gather the fees associated with late payments.
- Late payments – You will be charged 1.5% of the total unpaid balance of more than $10. The amount is added to your next month’s bill if the amount is not paid by the date given by Dakota Electric. The smallest amount Dakota Electric charges for late payment is $1.
I Can’t Make a Payment
Dakota Electric offers several options for customers that have difficulty paying their bill.
LIHEAP: This federally-funded program is available for low-income customers of Dakota Electric. A common question is how to qualify for energy assistance with LIHEAP? You have a small window in which to apply for funds. Upon approval, you will receive funds during the latter parts of the year. The funds are designed to pay past and current heating and cooling costs.
Prevent disconnection – You will need to call 1-651-463-6212 and speak to a customer service representative. When the payment agreement is in play, you will need to follow the specific schedule in order to avoid disconnection.
Cold weather rule – From October 15 to April 15, Dakota Electric will not shut off your service.
Third-party notice – Prior to disconnecting your service, Dakota Electric informs a third-party representative (relative, church organization or community advocate agency) that your bill is due for payment.
Minnesota low-income assistance – The state of Minnesota Office of Energy Assistance provides community locations that offer assistance with paying your Dakota Electric bill.
- 360 Communities
- Dakota County Employment & Economic Assistance
- Goodhue Co. Department of Public Welfare
- Three Rivers Community Action, Inc.
- Rice County Social Services
- Scott County Human Services
- Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency
Will They Work With Me to Pay My Bill?
We’d love to hear more from consumers like YOU about Dakota Electric. What did the electric company do to help you pay your bill?
