What to do When you Can’t Pay Your National Grid Bill
National Grid is an electric and gas provider servicing Massachusetts, Nantucket, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. The company maintains more than 9,000 miles of electrical lines and services more than 3 million customers with natural gas in New York and New Hampshire alone.
How to Pay the Bill
National Grid offers several payment options for customers.
Pay online: Customers can sign up for an account to pay your National Grid bill online. The web address for online payments is http://www.nationalgridus.com/masselectric/home/payment/options.asp.
Pay automatically: Automatic payments can be set-up through the Direct Pay option. Users must sign-up for Direct Pay via their online National Grid bill pay account.
Pay by mail: To pay your bill by mail send payments with account number or pay stub portion of your bill to:
National Grid
PO Box 11737
Newark, NJ 07101-4737
Pay by phone: National Grid customers can pay through Western Union by calling 1-888-849-4310. There is a service fee associated with paying via Western Union.
Pay by Western Union: Credit and debit card payments can be made at any Western Union location accepting bill pay. The bill can also be paid online. There is a $2.25 service fee attached to online Western Union payments and customers are limited to one $600 payment per transaction. Western Union accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Debit cards must have the Pulse, Star, NYCE or Accel logo printed on the card.
Questions About Your Billing Statement or Account?
Complete details on service fees and rates are available on the Service Rates page. The customer service contact number is 1-800-322-3223.
How the Penalty Fees Work
National Grid assess penalty fees for late payments, returned payments and reconnection.
- Late payments: A fee of 1.5% of the total balance is assessed for late payment.
- Returned payments: National Grid charges $10, in addition to any applicable bank fees you’re charged, for returned payments.
- Reconnection: Customers must pay the outstanding balance in full. Reconnection fees vary.
I Can’t Make a Payment
When we contacted the customer service number for National Grid, the agent referred us to the website for more information. The National Grid website offers options for customers who cannot pay their National Grid bill.
National Grid offers payment assistance and a budget plan for customers having trouble keeping up with energy bills.
- Budget plan: Customers must have a zero (0) balance on their account before enrolling in the budget plan. The budget plan is based on previous usage. An average bill is calculated so customers don’t have to worry about fluctuating bills during peak months.
- Payment assistance: Payment assistance through National Grid is limited to payment extensions and payment agreements. Customers on a fixed income can request an extension of up to 10 days if their check is delivered after the National Grid bill due date. Payment agreements allow a customer to resolve past due bills with smaller payments. Current and on-going charges are not included on the payment plan. Customers can call 1-800-443-1837 to learn more about payment assistance.
- LIHEAP home energy assistance program: This service is available to qualified low income customers that can’t pay your National grid bill. A household must be currently receiving public assistance, food stamps or Social Security income. Customers are encouraged to apply early due to limit funds.
Will They Work With Me to Pay My Bill?
Do you have first-hand experience with National Grid? If you’ve been unable to pay your bill and contacted National Grid for help, let us know how you faired.
