Payment Methods
Electronic Funds Transfer and Credit/Debit Card Payments
Instead of writing checks and worrying about stamps, CPI offers electronic funds transfer (EFT). Each month the amount you owe is deducted from your bank account. You’ll still receive a billing statement before the funds are withdrawn from your account. You’ll have plenty of time to check your bill before it’s paid.
You can also choose to pay your monthly bill with a credit or debit card through our automated phone system, by clicking ‘Pay Now‘ on our website, or by coming into our Philomath office. CPI accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
To set up payment by Electronic Funds Transfer simply call CPI, set up your card online through CPI’s SMARTHUB, or stop by the office and use your credit card in person. Whichever you choose it’s easy and just a few more ways CPI has to give our members choice.
Who can use EFT and Credit/Debit Card Payments?
All CPI members are eligible to use this program as long as you are a member in good standing.
What are the benefits of this program?
- Save time and money—no checks to write and mail.
- You don’t have to pay postage.
- You can set up your account for automatic payment and not worry about payments being late or lost.
- With automatic payments, your bill amount is automatically deducted from your bank account or credit card, unless you tell us otherwise.
- It’s a free service. Nothing is added to your bill.
Enrolling is easy, too! Simply give us a call, set up online, or visit our Philomath office.
E-Bill
With CPI’s SMARTHUB you can view and pay your bills online with your payment method of choice.
Pay by Telephone
Instructions:
- You will need to set up a telephone security pin number if using a checking account. You can set this up by either calling in or visiting our Philomath office.
- Dial CPI’s phone number, 541-929-3124 or 800-872-9036.
- Select option #1 for automated billing services.
- Have your CPI account number and pin number available.
- The phone system will report your last payment information, account balance and due date.
- If you choose, you can make a credit card payment using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
Pay by telephone is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Budget Billing
1. Why should I switch to the budget billing plan?
- No more wondering or guessing what your electric bill will be… no surprises.
- It’s easier to plan monthly expenses when you know your average budget payment amount.
- No large fluctuations between winter and summer electric bills.
- No big “catch-up month” each year.
- You may switch back to the regular payment plan by calling CPI. Any balance due will be payable at that time; credits will be applied to future electric bills.
2. Who qualifies for Budget Billing?
- Only CPI residential accounts can be billed on the Budget Billing Plan.
- An account must have a zero balance before it can be placed on this plan.
- You must be a CPI member for one year so that a 12 month history can be established on which to base the bill.
3. What if I miss a monthly budget payment?
Budget Billing will work for you only if you pay the BUDGET AMOUNT DUE each month. If you miss a monthly budget payment, your account can be placed back on the regular billing system. Any past due amounts will be due in full, and the account will be subject to normal disconnection procedures if the past due amount is not paid.
4. Can I pay ahead with Budget Billing?
You cannot pay ahead with Budget Billing. Any additional payments made will not go to next month’s bill, but you can set up automatic payments so you won’t have to worry about making an on time payment.
5. Will my monthly CPI statement look different when I’m on Budget Billing?
Yes, there are a few changes. This example (sample statement shown below) explains the three different amounts that will appear on each budget billing statement. Remember, you pay only the BUDGET AMOUNT DUE when you are on this plan.
TOTAL CURRENT ACTIVITY – This amount is for your information only. It is the amount you actually used during the billing period. This is what your bill would be if you were not on the Budget Billing Plan.
ACTUAL ACCOUNT BALANCE – This indicates any credit you have accrued (if it has a “-”) or the balance due you have built up, based on your actual usage. This is the amount you would owe if you were not on the Budget Billing Plan.
PAYMENTS RECEIVED – Any payments made since last month’s billing will appear here.
BUDGET AMOUNT DUE – This is the amount due. It is an average of your past twelve months’ electric usage. It will vary a few dollars each month because it is based on current, actual usage. By paying the BUDGET AMOUNT DUE each and every month, the amount you owe and the payments you make will balance out over the twelve month period. With this rolling average system, there’s never a catch up month.
Prepay Program
Our Prepay program allows you to avoid a deposit and late fees by maintaining a credit balance on your account. CPI’s Prepay program helps to manage your electricity budget. This program puts you in control of their energy usage by allowing you to manage your energy based on your budget.
Prepaid service is available to residential members as an option subject to the following provisions:
- The member’s account must have the correct metering equipment. Three phase and CT metering are not eligible for prepaid electric service.
- Existing accounts must be paid in full before changing to a prepaid account unless a special payment plan is approved by CPI.
- A minimum credit balance of $25.00 is necessary to begin prepaid electric service.
- The member must be signed up with SMARTHUB in order to sign up for PrePay.
Additional Payment Locations
Albany
Postal Connections (Fred Meyer)
Corvallis/Philomath
CPI Philomath Office
Lebanon
CPI Lebanon Office
Alsea
John Boy’s Mercantile
Payment Assistance
If you are having problems paying your bill our partner organizations, Community Services Consortium, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action and Lane County Human Services, might be able to help. They can help with rental and utility bill assistance. Please call, email or visit them online to learn if you can qualify. Please be sure to notify CPI for any payment arrangements.
For those in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties:
Community Services Consortium
Website: www.communityservices.us
Email: info@communityservices.us
Benton: 541-752-2840
Linn: 541-926-7163
Lincoln: 541-265-3293
For those in Marion and Polk counties:
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action
Website: mwvcaa.org/programs/energy-services/
Email: info@mwvcaa.org
Phone: 503-585-6232
For those in Lane county:
Lane County Human Services
Website: www.lanecounty.org
Email: ENERGY@co.lane.or.us
Phone: 541-682-3378