How to Pay Your Utility Bill in Fairfield, Illinois

Paying your utility bill is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner or renter in Fairfield, Illinois. The city offers several convenient options for Fairfield residents to pay their electric, water, sewer, garbage collection, and other utility services. This article will explain the different ways to pay your Fairfield utility bill, including online, by phone, by mail, and in person.

Online Payment

The fastest and most convenient way to pay your Fairfield utility bill is online through the city’s payment portal. To pay online, go to the City of Fairfield website and click on the “Pay Your Bill” tab. This will take you to the payment portal where you can either make a one-time payment or set up recurring automatic payments.

To make a one-time payment, you will need your account number and the amount due. The online payment portal accepts Visa MasterCard Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards. You can also pay directly from your checking or savings account by entering your routing and account numbers.

The benefits of paying your Fairfield utility bill online include

• Convenience – pay anytime, anywhere with an internet connection
• Speed – online payments post to your account immediately
• Payment history – view up to 6 months of past payments
• Auto-pay – set up recurring payments to avoid late fees
• Confirmation – receive an emailed receipt for every transaction

Paying online helps you avoid late fees and service disruptions by ensuring your payment posts right away. It also saves you the time and hassle of mailing in a check or visiting City Hall.

Phone Payment

If you prefer to pay your Fairfield utility bill over the phone, you can call the city’s automated payment system at 877-885-7968. This IVR (interactive voice response) system is available 24/7 and allows you to pay by credit/debit card or electronic check.

To use the automated phone payment system you will need

• Your 10-digit account number
• The amount you owe
• A valid credit/debit card or checking/savings account

The IVR system will guide you through the payment process step-by-step using simple voice prompts. It takes just a few minutes to enter your payment info and receive a confirmation number. Phone payments post to your account immediately, helping you avoid late fees.

Mail-In Payment

Sending a check or money order by mail is a traditional way to pay your Fairfield utility bill. To pay by mail, write your 10-digit account number on your check or money order and mail it to:

City of Fairfield
109 NE 2nd Street
Fairfield, IL 62837

Be sure to allow 5-7 business days for your mailed payment to reach the city and post to your account. Payments received after the due date will incur late fees. The city does not recommend paying by mail close to your due date since any mail delays could cause a late payment.

In-Person Payment

You can also pay your Fairfield utility bill in person at City Hall located at 109 NE 2nd Street. City Hall is open Monday-Friday from 7am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. When paying in person, you can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. You will need to know your 10-digit account number and amount due.

In-person payment allows you to talk directly with a city representative if you have any questions or concerns about your account. However, in-person payments do require you to come during business hours rather than paying at your convenience online, by phone, or by mail.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your Fairfield utility bill, the city offers programs to help qualified residents:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a payment plan to pay your balance over time while avoiding disconnection.

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal grant money to help pay energy bills.

• Payment extensions – Get an extra 10 days past your due date to pay.

• Medical certificates – Those with medical conditions can get extra time to pay utility bills.

Contact the city utility department to learn more about these payment assistance programs and see if you qualify. Acting quickly once your bill becomes past due can help you avoid service interruptions.

Avoid Late Fees

To avoid late fees on your Fairfield utility bill, make sure to pay the total amount due by the due date printed on your statement. Late fees are 10% of your previous month’s bill. If your payment is not received on time, the late fee will be applied to your next bill.

Other tips to avoid late fees include:

• Pay online or by phone to ensure immediate payment
• Sign up for auto-pay to have payments sent automatically
• Update your billing address if you moved
• Check your bill monthly and pay on time
• Contact the city immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying on time

By paying on time every month, you can avoid unnecessary late fees on your utility account. Set payment reminders and utilize the convenient online and phone payment options.

Account Management Tips

Here are some other tips for effectively managing your Fairfield utility account:

• Provide accurate account information – Keep your mailing address, phone number, and email up-to-date on your account.

• Check for payment confirmations – Verify payments post properly to avoid late fees.

• Monitor usage – Review statements to check for abnormal spikes in usage.

• Report issues immediately – Notify the city if your service is disrupted for repair needs.

• Enroll in budget billing – Pay a fixed amount each month to even out seasonal highs/lows.

• Go paperless – Opt out of mailed paper bills to get statements electronically.

• Sign up for reminders – Get email or text alerts before your bill is due.

Staying on top of your Fairfield utility account makes paying bills and avoiding issues quick and painless. Utilize all the account management tools available to simplify the process.

Locations to Pay In-Person

If you want to pay your utility bill in-person, here are the payment locations in Fairfield:

• City Hall – 109 NE 2nd Street, open Monday-Friday 7am-12pm and 1pm-4pm

• First National Bank – 2005 W Main St, open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm

• First Financial Bank – 1919 S Orchard Dr, open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

These locations accept cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card payments. Bring your 10-digit account number and current amount due. City Hall or the banks can look up your balance if you are unsure of the total.

Paying in person allows you to get same day payment processing so your account is credited immediately. This helps avoid late fees if paying close to your due date. The bank locations offer added convenience with their longer opening hours compared to City Hall.

Assistance for Low Income Households

The City of Fairfield provides financial assistance programs to help lower income residents manage their utility bills:

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers federal grants to pay for heating bills during winter. You must meet income guidelines and apply through your local community action agency.

• Percent of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) – Allows you to pay a fixed percentage of your monthly income for utilities year-round. Keeps your bill affordable based on what you can pay.

• DollarHelp – Provides one-time utility bill grants from $100 to $300 for households in a temporary crisis. You can receive DollarHelp once per calendar year.

• Payment Arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan tailored to your budget to pay off a past due balance over time. Helps avoid disconnection.

If you are struggling to cover your utility expenses, contact the City of Fairfield utility department to discuss bill assistance options. Providing documentation of your household income may be required to qualify for certain programs.

Summary

Paying your utility bill in Fairfield, Illinois is simple with the variety of convenient payment methods offered by the city. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in-person. Consider signing up for auto-pay or budget billing to simplify the process even further. If you need help affording your utilities, be sure to inquire about financial assistance programs for low income households. Monitor your account regularly and pay on time each month to avoid unnecessary late fees. The city aims to make paying your essential utilities an easy and stress-free process.