Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative is pleased to offer multiple ways to pay your electric bill.
Members who are experiencing financial difficulties may contact our member service representatives during business hours to discuss eligibility for a payment arrangement.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 217-235-0341, email us at info@cmec.coop, or click here.
Online
Members can pay their electric bill online through Smarthub 24/7. Payment methods include e-check and credit card.
If you have a Smarthub account or would like to signup for an account, please click here.
If you don’t have a Smarthub account and want to make a quick, one-time payment, click here.
Office
Normal office hours are Monday thru Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm, excluding holidays. Members can pay using cash, card, tap to pay, or check at our front counter with a member service representative. We also have a drop box outside by our sign and inside our vestibule for after hours payment drop-off.
Another option is to mail in your payment. Members who receive a paper bill will receive a return envelope with their bill. Members subscribed to paperless billing through Smarthub or have misplaced their envelope can send payment back to CMEC using the mailing address:
P.O. Box 709, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Automated Phone System
CMEC also offers the option of paying through our automated phone system. In order to pay over the phone, you will need to call CMEC at 217-235-0341 or toll-free at 888-661-2632 and then press 2 to make a payment. There are no additional fees to make a payment via this method.
Payment through the automated phone system will require a PIN number to be set up during your first call and required for future payments.
First Mid Bank & Trust
Members have the option to pay their electric bill at any First Mid Bank & Trust location in our service territory. Be sure to bring a copy of your bill with you.
Incomm Vanilla Direct
CMEC has partnered with Incomm to allow our members to pay cash at certain locations in our service territory for their electric bills. Locations include Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General and more.
Members will need to login to Smarthub to access an account specific barcode that will need scanned at participating locations.
See participating Vanilla Direct locations here.
Autopay
CMEC offers two autopay options: credit card or bank transfer. Automatic payments are processed on the monthly billing due date. Members must enroll through their SmartHub account to set up credit card autopay, while bank transfer autopay can be arranged either through SmartHub or by contacting our office.
Budget Billing
With CMEC’s Budget Billing Plan, you can guard against large fluctuations in your electric bill payments caused by seasonal changes. CMEC averages your past usage and projected future energy costs, then bills you for that amount monthly. Because your bill remains the same each month, you can anticipate the amount you owe. Your budgeting will be easier than ever before.
In order to apply for budget billing, please contact our office. Members must have had service for a minimum of 12 months prior to joining the budget billing program. Budget bill accounts are reevaluated & adjusted every year in March.
Prepaid Billing
Want more flexibility in how you manage your electric bill? CMEC’s Prepaid Billing Program lets you pay for electricity before you use it, giving you the ability to monitor your energy use and account balance through SmartHub. Instead of receiving a traditional monthly bill, your balance is updated based on your daily energy usage, charges, and fees.
With Prepaid Billing, you can:
- Pay as you go — Add money to your account when it works for you.
- Track your usage — See your energy use and account balance through SmartHub.
- Get balance alerts — Receive text, email, and/or phone notifications when your balance reaches $50 or less.
- Skip the deposit — A deposit is not required while you’re enrolled in the Prepaid Billing Program.
- Avoid automatic disconnect/reconnect fees — There are no disconnect or reconnect fees when service is automatically disconnected and reconnected through the prepaid program.
How does it work?
Your payments are added to your prepaid balance, and your daily electric usage is deducted from that balance. It’s important to monitor your account and add funds before your balance is depleted. If your balance becomes negative, service may automatically disconnect. To restore service, you’ll need to pay the outstanding balance plus a minimum $50 prepayment toward future electricity use.
Prepaid Billing is a voluntary payment option for eligible residential accounts. If you’re looking for a way to stay more connected to your energy use and manage your electric account on your own schedule, prepaid billing may be an option for you. Contact our office for more information.
HUG
Do you know a Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative member who could use a HUG? It’s a home utility gift or… HUG. Anyone can make a payment on a member’s account and receive a specialized receipt. You can even give one anonymously. Stop by CMEC for details or more information and make someone’s day a whole lot better.
Payment Assistance
You might be eligible for Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP). Contact your local LIHEAP Agency for available programs.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is designed to assist eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.
LIHEAP will provide a one-time benefit during the current program time frame to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type and geographic location.
An overdue bill or cut-off is not required. You do not have to own your home or pay energy bills directly to be eligible for assistance. Your source of fuel does not have to be natural gas or electricity in order to receive assistance.
Reconnection assistance may be available if your household is disconnected from an energy source needed for heating and/or a delivered fuel supplier has refused to deliver and the tank contains 20 percent or less.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
You will need to contact the agencies to see if you qualify.
| Agency: | CMEC Areas Served: | Website: | Phone Number: |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp | Moultrie County, Shelby County | cefseoc.org | 217-342-2193 ext. 2127 |
| Coalition for People in Need | Charleston, 61920 | facebook.com/CPN61920 | 217-345-5099 |
| Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois |
Piatt County | capcil.info | 217-732-2159 |
| Embarras River Basin Agency | Clark County, Coles County, Cumberland County, Douglas County, Edgar County |
erbainc.org | 217-500-3120 / 217-923-3113 |
| Salvation Army | Entire Territory Served | centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/utilityassistance | 217-234-3915 |