Power Pay: Frequently Asked Questions

General Power Pay FAQs | Quick Pay FAQs | e-Bill FAQs | Security FAQs


Power Pay has been expanded to offer our customers more online services including Quick Pay for easy online payments, or customers may enroll in e-Bill to receive and pay their utility bills online. The new Power Pay offers more information and is easier to use.

General Power Pay FAQs
*What is Power Pay?* All of Benton PUD’s online account services including Quick Pay and e-Bill.
Quick Pay - A simple, quick way to make a one-time payment online with no enrollment or login needed. All you need is your Benton PUD account number, the last four digits of your zip code (99336 or 99336-4567) and your payment method.
e-Bill - Another Power Pay service - a more robust online service that allows you to receive and pay your bill online, review past bills and other account information, and sign up for the Automatic Payment Plan.

*How do I use Power Pay?*
Simply go to the Benton PUD website at www.bentonpud.org and click on Power Pay. Follow the steps to use Quick Pay or sign up for e-Bill.

What do I need to use Power Pay?
All you need is Internet service, a valid email address, your Benton PUD account number and a credit/debit card number (Visa or MasterCard) or bank account number (checking or savings), depending upon the payment method you choose to use.

Why should I use Power Pay?
It’s a quick and easy way to pay your bill online and available 24 hours a day. You can pay your bill when it’s convenient for you. You also save on postage.

If I am already a Power Pay customer, do I have to re-enroll?
Yes, to receive your bill electronically, pay online and review your account information, you will need to re-enroll. Once enrolled, your information is securely saved for easy use each month. When you sign-up, you will receive a one-time $5 credit on your bill.

*Is there a cost to use Power Pay?*
It’s FREE.

Why is Benton PUD giving customers a $5 credit to enroll?
Electronic billing will save Benton PUD money on postage and mailing expense. The one-time $5 credit is one way Benton PUD can thank our customers for helping us provide more efficient and cost effective billing.

How long will the $5 credit be offered? If I have multiple accounts do I receive $5 for each account?
The $5 credit will be offered until February 29, 2008. Each account that is signed up for e-Bill will receive the credit within 60 days.

What form of payment can I use?
You may pay with a credit/debit card (VISA or MasterCard). You may also make payments directly from your checking or savings account.

How long does it take to process my payment?
A maximum of three (3) business days. Payments made after 3:00 p.m. Pacific time will NOT be processed until two days following the payment. If you are delinquent on your bill, please do not use Power Pay. Accounts that are delinquent are subject to disconnect. Please make your payment at either of our office locations.

Will I receive a confirmation of my payment?
Yes, you will receive an email that confirms the payment received.

*If I have a question about Power Pay, what can I do?*
Call Customer Service during normal working hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 582-2175. Or you may email your questions to powerpay@bentonpud.org.

Where can I find my Benton PUD account number? The last four digits of my zip code? The amount due? Due date?
You can find your Benton PUD account number, the last four digits of your zip code, amount due, and due date on your bill. Click here for a section by section billing guide to help you understand the information on your bill.

When setting up my payment method, where can I find my bank's routing transit number and my checking account number?
The routing transit number can be found in the lower left-hand side of your check. The checking account number is to the right of the routing number.


*To use either Quick Pay* or e-Bill, what zip code should I use?**
Use the last four digits of the zip code that is shown for your address on your Benton PUD bill. If your bill address has a five digit number use the last four digits (99336). If your bill uses the nine digit number, use the last four digits (99336-4567).

Quick Pay FAQs
*How do I make an online payment using Quick Pay?*
Follow these simple steps:
1.	Enter your Benton PUD account number and the last four digits of the zip code in your mailing address on your Benton PUD bill (99336 or 99336-4567).
2.	Enter your payment information – the payment amount and type of payment (bank account or credit/debit card - Visa or MasterCard).
3.	Enter your contact information - your name, address, phone and email address.
4.	Enter your payment method – your bank account information or credit/debit card information (Visa or MasterCard).
5.	Review and submit – You will have an opportunity to review the information entered, and then will receive a confirmation number.

You will need to enter this information each time you make a payment using Quick Pay. If you sign up for e-Bill, you will not have to re-enter this information each time you make a payment.

*Can I review bill history or other information with Quick Pay?*
No. Quick Pay is for payment only. For more information and to receive your bill online, please sign-up for e-Bill.

*Can I pay multiple accounts using Quick Pay?*
Yes.

e-Bill FAQs
*How do I sign-up to use e-Bill?*
1.	Enter information needed under the heading “Sign up”. (Your Benton PUD account number and the last four digits of your zip code of the mailing address on your bill - 99336 or 99336-4567.)
2.	Enter information requested – create user ID, password, hint question, contact information and confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions.

*What are the benefits to enrolling in e-Bill* and receiving my monthly bill online?**
There are several benefits to e-Bill:
›	e-Bill enables you to receive your bill on-line. By agreeing not to receive a paper bill, you help the District reduce the costs of producing and mailing your bill.
›	By paying on-line, you use a more secure method of making your payment by not sending a check through the mail. You also save on postage.
›	You help the environment by reducing the use of paper in producing a bill and fuel associated with mailing the bill and subsequent payment.
›	You are able to store banking and credit/debit card information for later use.
›	You can review prior bills and payment activity using Power Pay.
›	You may view and update payment information and view usage history.

*How do I make a payment with e-Bill?*
After you have signed up for e-Bill, you will receive an email notice that your bill is ready for review online.
1.	After you login, review your bill (inbox).
2.	Click on the “Payment” button and select the accounts you want to pay and enter the payment amount and date.
3.	Select a payment method.
4.	Enter the credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard) or banking account information. Confirm you have reviewed the terms and conditions.
5.	Confirm payment information and then click on “Make Payment”. You will receive an email confirmation.

Will I continue to receive my bill by mail?
No. When you sign-up for e-Bill, you will receive your bill online and will not receive a paper bill by mail. You will receive an email when your bill is ready to view. If you decide you want to go back to getting a bill in the mail, you can change it by using “Accounts Setup” and you will no longer be able to view your account online.

*If I pay my bill through other online bill payment services (such as through my bank) can I sign up for e-Bill?*
Yes, you may receive your bill by email and pay through your online bank payment service.

Can I access my payment history?
Yes. When you sign up for e-Bill, you will be able to look up past bills and payments using Power Pay. Payments made by methods other than Power Pay are not available through this service.

Can I pay my account in advance?
Yes. This is an easy way to pay if you plan to be out of town or want to pay in advance for other reasons.

Do I need to enroll each time I use e-Bill?
No. Once you are enrolled, simply login to pay your bill.

What if I forget my password?
Below the login, there is a “Forgot your password” link. Click on it and follow the steps for help. Your password must be between 6 to 16 alphanumeric characters and must contain at least one letter and one number.

*May I set up my account on Automatic Payment by using e-Bill?*
Yes. After you have signed up for e-Bill, click “Payments”, then click on “Automatic Payments” and follow the steps to add an automatic payment rule. The Automatic Payment will start with your following bill. Please note that you will still need to make a one-time-payment for your current bill since the Automatic Payment will not begin until your next bill. If you already are on Automatic Payment, you still need to sign-up for e-Bill to be able to view your payment information.

*I am currently on the Automatic Payment Plan, may I continue with the Automatic Payment Plan by using e-Bill?*
Yes. Your Automatic Payment Plan will continue as always. To make any changes on your Automatic Payment Plan or to manage your Benton PUD account online, you will need to sign-up for *e-Bill.*

*I am currently on the Automatic Payment Plan, do I have to sign-up for e-Bill* to remain on the Automatic Payment Plan?**
No. Your Automatic Payment Plan will remain the same and our Customer Service Representatives are here to help you.

*I am currently on the Automatic Payment Plan and have enrolled in e-Bill, if I have changes I want to make such as the payment method, can I do it online?*
Because this feature has been introduced after you signed up for Automatic Payment Plan, you will need to contact Customer Service (582-2175) for an initial transition to the new Power Pay system. After the Customer Service Representative makes the change for you, you will be able to access information or make changes online.

Can I still donate to Helping Hands?
Yes. An easy way to donate to Helping Hands is by filling out the form located with the Helping Hands information on the website. This will automatically add the donation to your bill each month. You may also choose to make a donation to Helping Hands each time you pay your bill by using Power Pay. It will not show up on your statement, but you will receive an annual letter that recaps your Helping Hands donations for the past year.

Can I pay more than one Benton PUD Account using e-Bill?
Yes, and it is easy to do. Once you are enrolled, simply add additional accounts using the “Multiple Accounts” function.

How do I change my email address online?
Login to e-Bill and then go to “Contact Us”. You can change it there.

Can I change my mailing address or other contact information online?
No. You may change information in the e-Bill service but this will not change your Benton PUD account information. Please contact Customer Service by calling 509-582-2175 or emailing at powerpay@bentonpud.org.

What if my credit/debit card number or expiration date changes?
You can update credit/debit card changes when making the payment by resubmitting the new credit/debit card number (Visa or MasterCard) and/or expiration date.

Security FAQs
How secure is my sensitive banking information and personal information?
Quick Pay and e-Bill security features includes SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) that ensures your connection and information is secure; a strictly enforced 128-bit encryption security level; and, automatic sign-off after 20 minutes of inactivity.

How do I know when a secure session has been created?
Most of the supported browsers will give you a message box stating when you are going into a secure session. Another indication that your browser is operating in secure mode can be found in the web site address. The address will begin with http:// in standard, non secure mode and with https:// in secure mode. The “s” in the https” stands for secure.

What is the appropriate browser?
We use a 128-bit encryption to make your information unreadable as it passes over the Internet. Therefore we require you use either Netscape version 4.0 or higher or Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher. However, this site does not currently support access by Netscape 6.x or higher, although it is currently being tested for use on this site. As an alternative, Netscape 4.7 is supported, but needs to have 128-bit encryption added.