A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Cleco Bill

Paying your monthly Cleco bill is an essential part of being a customer and maintaining electric service. However with changing technologies and payment options the process can sometimes get confusing. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of all the ways you can pay your Cleco bill, so you can choose the method that works best for you.

Understanding Your Cleco Bill

Before paying your bill, it’s important to understand what’s on it Your Cleco bill contains several key sections

• Account Summary – This shows your previous balance, any payments made, your total new charges for the month, and the total amount due. It summarizes the most important information.

• Message Center – This section may contain important notices about your account or service. Be sure to read these messages.

• Billing Details – This breakdown shows the different charges that make up your total bill, such as the customer charge, energy usage charges, and any additional fees.

• Energy Usage – Charts and graphs show your electricity usage for the month in kWh. Compare your usage to previous months.

• Other Services – Bills for any additional Cleco services like lighting or line extensions will appear separately here.

• Account Number – This unique number identifies your account. Have this handy when paying your bill or contacting Cleco customer service.

• Due Date – The date your payment must be received by to avoid late fees. Mark your calendar so you don’t forget.

When to Pay Your Cleco Bill

Cleco bills monthly for electric service. The due date is typically within 20 days of the billing date. You can find your specific due date printed on your statement.

For the fastest processing, pay your bill:

• Online – Payments post instantly if paid before 7 pm CT on the due date.

• By Phone – Payments post instantly if paid before 7 pm CT on the due date.

• By Mail – Allow 7-10 business days for mailed payments to reach Cleco.

To avoid late fees, pay your bill by the due date, not after. If you cannot pay on time, call Cleco immediately to make payment arrangements.

Ways to Pay Your Cleco Bill

Cleco offers many payment options to provide customers flexibility and convenience. The main methods include:

Pay Online

The fastest way to pay is online through MyAccount or the Cleco app. You can pay by credit/debit card or electronic check. Payments post instantly when made before 7 pm on the due date.

To pay online:

• Visit MyAccount and login
• Select “Make a Payment”
• Enter payment amount and submit

Pay By Phone

Call 1-800-622-6537 and use Cleco’s automated phone payment system. Payments made before 7 pm CT on the due date post instantly.

Have your account number and payment info ready. Follow the prompts to make your payment.

Pay By Mail

Mail a check or money order payable to Cleco along with your payment stub to:

Cleco
PO Box 660228
Dallas, TX 75266

Allow 7-10 business days for mailed payments to reach Cleco. Pay early to avoid late fees.

Pay In Person

Visit one of Cleco’s customer service offices and make a payment in person during business hours. Offices accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.

Pay via Automatic Bank Draft

With Cleco’s Automatic Payment Plan, your bill payment is automatically drafted from your bank account each month. Sign up through MyAccount or by submitting an enrollment form.

Pay with Credit or Debit Card

Cleco accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. Use your card to pay online, by phone, in person, or through Cleco’s automatic payment plan.

Pay using Prepaid Debit Card

Purchase preloaded Visa prepaid debit cards at participating retailers and use them to pay your Cleco bill. Find prepaid card vendors here.

Pay at an Authorized Payment Location

Cleco offers numerous authorized pay stations around Louisiana for in-person bill payment. Find authorized pay locations here.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your bill, Cleco offers payment assistance programs such as:

• Deferred Payment Arrangements – Set up a plan to pay your outstanding balance over time.

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Provides bill payment assistance for qualifying low income households.

• Powering Families Home Energy Assistance Program – Bill credits for families facing financial hardship.

Learn more about Cleco’s Payment Assistance Programs.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

To avoid late payment fees and potential service disconnection, be sure to pay your Cleco bill in full by the due date each month. Late fees are 5% of the unpaid balance.

If you cannot pay on time, call Cleco immediately at 1-800-622-6537 to set up a deferred payment arrangement. As long as you fulfill the payment plan, your service will not be disconnected.

Service may be disconnected if your bill remains unpaid for over 45 days. Reconnection fees apply if service is disconnected. Avoid additional fees by keeping your account current.

Monitor Electric Usage and Bills

You can monitor your home’s energy usage and manage bills through Cleco’s MyAccount portal or mobile app. Features include:

• View daily electric usage

• Set up usage alerts

• Compare usage history

• View billing history

• Monitor payment history

• Enroll in budget billing to get a predictable bill each month

Actively monitoring your usage and bill payment status helps you stay in control of your Cleco account.

Communication is Key

If you have questions about your bill, are unable to pay on time, or are experiencing financial hardship, communicate proactively with Cleco’s customer service team. Cleco has payment assistance programs and billing options to help customers through difficult situations. But you have to let them know you need help.

Some key contact information:

• Customer Service: 1-800-622-6537

• Automated Account Line: 1-800-254-4252

• Website: www.cleco.com

• Email: [email protected]

The earlier you seek help, the more options will be available to you. Don’t wait until an issue escalates. Contact Cleco right away if you see a problem arising with your bill payment.

One Less Thing to Worry About

Paying your monthly Cleco bill ensures continuous electrical service to your home or business. While no one likes getting utility bills, you can simplify the process by understanding your statement, choosing convenient payment methods, and leveraging available assistance programs as needed. Taking advantage of technology like Cleco’s online account portal places bill management at your fingertips. With numerous payment options, paying your Cleco electricity bill can be a quick and painless task. One less thing to worry about each month!