A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Benton County Electric Bill

Having reliable electric service is essential for any home or business As a customer of Benton County Electric System (BCES) in Tennessee, it’s important to understand your account and keep payments up to date. This guide will walk through everything you need to know about paying your BCES electric bill conveniently online, by phone, or in person.

Overview of Benton County Electric System

BCES is a local electric provider owned by the customers it serves across Benton County, Tennessee and surrounding areas. They are dedicated to providing reliable electricity at reasonable rates. BCES gets power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and distributes it to homes and businesses in their service area.

As a customer-owned cooperative, any margins made by BCES are returned to customers in the form of capital credits each year. They are committed to powering the community with affordable, sustainable electricity.

Benefits of Paying Your Bill on Time

Paying your BCES electric bill by the due date comes with several advantages:

• Avoid late fees – BCES charges a 5% penalty on late payments

• Prevent disconnection – If your account becomes significantly past due, BCES may disconnect service.

• Maintain good standing – Paying on time keeps your account in good standing with the cooperative.

• Do your part – As a customer-owned co-op, you’re an owner of BCES and on-time payments help the system.

• Reduce stress – Taking care of your bill early means you don’t have to worry about remembering later.

Overall, paying on time is the easiest way to avoid unnecessary fees and complications. BCES makes the process quick and convenient through various payment options.

Benton County Electric Bill Pay Options

BCES offers customers multiple ways to pay their electric bill to suit different needs and preferences.

Pay Online

For fast and easy payments 24/7, customers can pay online through SmartHub on the BCES website. The online portal allows you to:

• Pay by credit/debit card or e-check
• View billing history and usage
• Set up recurring payments
• Receive paperless billing
• Report outages
• And more!

To get started, you’ll need your account number handy to create a free SmartHub account.

Pay by Phone

Call 1-855-985-1133 anytime to pay your BCES bill over the phone. You’ll need to provide your 10-digit account number and select whether you want to pay by card or e-check. Phone payments are processed using BCES’s secure interactive voice response system.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer, mail your payment to:

Benton County Electric System
PO Box 429
975 Hwy 70E
Camden, TN 38320

Please allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to process. Include your payment stub or write your 10-digit account number on the check.

Pay in Person

You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card at the BCES office located at:

975 Hwy 70E
Camden, TN 38320

The office is open Monday-Thursday 7AM-4:30PM and Friday 8AM-4:30PM. An after-hours night deposit box is also available in the drive-thru.

Other Ways to Pay

• Use BCES’s 24/7 payment kiosk located in their lobby with cash or card.
• Enroll in recurring ACH auto-draft from your bank account.
• Pay with cash at authorized payment locations like Casey’s, CVS, and Apex Bank.

Budget Billing

To make expenses more predictable, BCES customers can enroll in Budget Billing which averages usage over 12 months so you pay the same amount each month. Call BCES to sign up.

Tips for Paying Your Benton County Electric Bill

Follow these tips for staying on top of your BCES electric bill:

• Provide accurate account and contact information so BCES can reach you about billing details.

• Sign up for paperless billing and automated reminders through SmartHub to get alerts when your bill is ready.

• Pay early in your billing cycle to avoid forgetting and potentially incurring late fees.

• Opt for convenient recurring automatic payments to ensure your bill gets paid on time every month.

• Review monthly usage details and bills to catch any unusual spikes that could indicate leaks or other issues.

• Contact BCES immediately if your situation changes and you need help paying your bill to avoid disconnection.

• Notify BCES anytime your payment method gets updated or replaced so payments don’t fail.

• Use BCES’s budget billing plan to make costs steady and predictable year-round.

Paying your electric bill doesn’t have to be a hassle. BCES offers flexible payment options to suit any schedule or preference. Taking advantage of automated payments and account management through SmartHub provides convenience and control over your billing and usage. Reach out to BCES if any questions come up during the payment process to keep your electric service uninterrupted.

What to Do if You’re Unable to Pay Your Benton County Electric Bill

If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to fully pay your BCES electric bill, don’t panic. Here are some tips on next steps:

• Contact BCES immediately – Let them know you are having trouble paying your bill. They will discuss payment plan options and assistance programs that may help.

• Prioritize paying what you can – Making even a partial payment shows you are acting in good faith and can help avoid disconnection.

• Explore payment arrangements – BCES may allow you to pay the past due balance over an extended period by setting up a payment plan.

• Apply for assistance – Programs like THDA’s LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance Program provide help paying utility bills based on need.

• Reduce energy usage – Cutting back on usage can help lower your bills going forward. BCES can provide energy saving tips.

• Catch up when possible – If able, make extra payments when funds allow to bring your account current.

The key is communicating early and working collaboratively with BCES before an unpaid bill becomes a bigger issue. They understand hardships happen and will make every effort to keep your lights on.

Benton County Electric Customer Service Options

BCES strives to provide excellent customer service and helpful resources:

• By phone – Call 731-584-8251 during office hours or after-hours for outage reporting.

• In person – Visit the BCES office Monday-Friday during business hours.

• Website – Access account info and pay online 24/7 at www.bcestn.org.

• Email – Message BCES with any questions or feedback.

• SmartHub app – Download the free app to manage your account on-the-go.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to their knowledgeable team for bill paying assistance or any other needs!

Is Paying Your Electric Bill a Financial Burden?

If your electric expenses are putting a strain on your household finances, you may qualify for bill assistance programs. Here are some signs paying your BCES bill is a financial burden:

• You are routinely late making payments or unable to pay the full amount due.

• Your service has been disconnected for nonpayment in the past.

• Paying monthly bills leaves you unable to afford other necessities like food or medication.

• Your home lacks adequate heating or cooling because you can’t afford higher bills.

• You’ve received shut off notices from BCES or sacrificed other bills to pay your electric.

Don’t let bill stress get out of hand. BCES can connect you with resources if you are struggling, including:

• LIHEAP assistance for home heating and cooling bills

• Families First utility bill discount program

• Local nonprofits and charities providing financial help

• Payment plans spreading out your balance over time

Having electric service you can afford is essential. Contact BCES so they can help take the burden off your shoulders.

In Summary: A Guide to Paying Your BCES Electric Bill

• Pay bills on time to avoid fees and disconnection
• Use convenient options like online, phone, mail, in person
• Enroll in budget billing for predictable costs
• Report changes to your account or payment details
• Reach out early if struggling to pay
• Assistance programs available for those in need
• Access account info and customer service through BCES website and app

Reliable power is vital for our everyday lives. By understanding your electric account and payment options with BCES, you can easily keep your service worry-free. BCES makes paying your bill quick and simple so you can focus on the more important things in life.