Question 1

How long does it take to connect service?

Accepted Answer

If your home has a standard smart meter, new service will usually be connected in 4 to 6 hours. However, there may be delays if the meter cannot be activated remotely or if a permit is required by your city. If your order is not submitted until after 5:00 PM, service may be delayed until the following operational day.

Question 2

How much can I save with prepaid electric service?

Accepted Answer

Due to the fluctuations of electricity rates, we can’t give you a firm number for what you’ll be saving. But we can tell you that our customers happily report saving up to 27% compared to other electricity plans and providers! We help you access low kilowatt-hour (kWh) rates around the state, which helps you save automatically. Furthermore, prepaid electricity gives you control because you only pay for what you use. Daily usage notifications also keep you in the know about how much power you consume, so you can take steps to conserve electricity.

Question 3

How do I transfer my service to a new address?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power cannot “transfer” service, but we can create a new account for you at your new address. Please call us at 888-963-9363 during regular business hours for assistance.

Question 4

I just started service but haven’t received a text update. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

The Payless Power billing system cannot issue account balance updates until we receive confirmation that the service has been turned on by your transmission and distribution service provider (TDSP). Once we receive notice that your account status has changed to “active,” you will begin receiving your daily updates the following morning.

Question 5

Does Payless Power provide service in my community?

Accepted Answer

More than 400 communities throughout Texas are deregulated. To see if you live in a deregulated community and can receive Payless Power services, check out this list.

It’s only going to get hotter in Texas. Stop wondering who has the cheapest rates in Texas, and let Payless Power do the work for you. SHOP RATES today for our prepaid electricity service, and feel better about your power bill.

Question 6

How long does it take to reconnect service?

Accepted Answer

Service will usually be reconnected within 2 hours unless the meter cannot receive the reconnection signal remotely. In these cases, a technician will have to travel to your home, which may push reconnection back to the following operational day.

Question 7

How do I cancel service?

Accepted Answer

Please note that your account is not automatically cancelled once funds are depleted or when a disconnection occurs. The account will remain open, and additional charges may accrue. To cancel service, please call our customer care department during regular business hours so we may confirm your identity. Once your final invoice is generated, you will be eligible for a refund of any remaining balance.

Question 8

Are there agencies that will help with bill payments during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are a number of agencies that can help with bill assistance during this time. Each agency will screen applicants and determine who is eligible to receive assistance. For more information, you can find a list of agencies here.

Question 9

Can I pay my balance to reconnect?

Accepted Answer

While Payless Power hopes you never experience a service interruption, we require a payment of the negative balance (including any past due deferred payment plan installments) plus $40.00 to trigger the reconnection order. Once your account balance is brought back to at least $40.00, service will usually be restored within 2 hours, barring any technical issues with your meter. Delays may also occur if the reconnection request is issued outside of regular business hours.

Question 10

How does your billing work?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power offers a convenient prepaid electric utility service, which means you will not receive a paper bill for your electric usage at the end of the month. Instead, you will place funds in your account in advance of your usage. Payless Power then receives daily meter reads and prepares a daily invoice each morning. These daily charges are deducted from your available account balance, and a text or email is sent to you showing the charges and your remaining funds. Using prepaid energy is similar to putting gas in your car: you “fill up your tank” by adding funds to your Payless Power account, and keep an eye on the “gauge” to determine when you need to refuel before the balance falls below $0.00.

Also, please note that our billing runs two days in arrears. For example, we would receive a meter read on Tuesday evening reporting power usage for the preceding Monday. The Payless Power billing system then calculates your charges early Wednesday morning and subtracts these charges at that time, so the invoice you receive Wednesday morning bills you for usage on Monday. These dates are included in your text updates to prevent any confusion.

Question 11

Do you accept state-issued child support debit cards?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power does accept state-issued child support debit cards if they contain Visa or MasterCard logos. Keep in mind that the state’s bank requires an exact address match for the card to be approved, so double-check that the billing address on your card perfectly matches the billing address listed on your Payless Power account.

Question 12

Do you have Auto-Payment options?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do! Auto-pay is a great way to ensure uninterrupted service and peace of mind. Autopay can be attached to any credit Amex, Mastercard, or Visa credit and debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard Logo. Auto Payment deductions can be set for as little as $40.00 when your balance reaches $25.00 and auto-payments are exempt from the $9.95 minimum payment fee.

Question 13

Can I get a paper bill?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power offers a convenient prepaid electric utility service, which means you will not receive a paper bill for your electric usage at the end of the month. Instead, you will place funds in your account in advance of your usage. Payless Power then receives daily meter reads and prepares a daily invoice each morning. These daily charges are deducted from your available account balance, and a text or email is sent to you showing the charges and your remaining funds. Using prepaid energy is similar to putting gas in your car: you “fill up your tank” by adding funds to your Payless Power account, and keep an eye on the “gauge” to determine when you need to refuel before the balance falls below $0.00.

Also, please note that our billing runs two days in arrears. For example, we would receive a meter read on Tuesday evening reporting power usage for the preceding Monday. The Payless Power billing system then calculates your charges early Wednesday morning and subtracts these charges at that time, so the invoice you receive Wednesday morning bills you for usage on Monday. These dates are included in your text updates to prevent any confusion.

Question 14

Where can I make a payment?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power has thousands of cash payment locations around the country, allowing you to make a cash payment even when travelling out of state. Check out our payment locator for an updated list of locations near you.

Question 15

I made a payment, but didn’t get a confirmation text. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

If you have not received a confirmation code via text or email, there could be a problem with the payment. Please contact customer care at 888-963-9363 or email us after normal business hours.

For personal protection when emailing, only include the last four digits of the card number. We can easily research the payment using just these four digits, the date, and amount of the payment.

Question 16

What is the minimum payment amount that you will accept?

Accepted Answer

The minimum payment amount that our systems and payment vendors will accept is $40.00. Please not that there is a charge of $9.95 for any payment under $75.00. Auto-payments, final payments, payments to pay off deferred payment plans, payments split between 2 cards, & payments made in error are exempt from this charge. Call 888 963 9363 for more information.

Question 17

How do I change my contact information?

Accepted Answer

There are two options to update information. Online, you can update your mailing address, security pin, or messaging preferences (text, email, or both). For all other changes to your account, please call customer care at 888-963-9363.

Question 18

What information is required to access the account?

Accepted Answer

For security purposes, we ask that you be able to confirm the name, service address, phone number, and date of birth registered on the account.

Question 19

How do I add an authorized user?

Accepted Answer

While we can’t transfer services between customers, you can certainly add a new authorized user! Please contact customer care at 888-963-9363 to initiate this service.

Question 20

Can I change the name on my account?

Accepted Answer

We will change a maiden name to a married name on an account and vice versa if you provide official documentation. However, we cannot transfer service from one person to another. If necessary, the person requesting the transfer can open a new account in his or her own name. For more details and regulations, please contact customer care at 888-963-9363.

Question 21

How can I see my meter information?

Accepted Answer

You can register your meter with www.smartmetertexas.com free of charge. This is a free site operated by the State of Texas and is not affiliated with Payless Power or your Transmission and Distribution Utility. This will allow you to see the readings of your meter even before we get them and in 15 minute intervals.

You will need the following information to register:

Your ESIID Number
Your Meter Number
The name of your Electricity Provider
This information is also available on your account portal or also by speaking with a Customer Service representative.

Question 22

What is a switch-hold?

Accepted Answer

A switch-hold is a block placed on your meter by your retail electric provider due to either a deferred payment plan or tampering charges. These deferred charges or tampering fees must be paid in full to remove a switch-hold. If you are a new tenant trying to remove a switch-hold belonging to a previous resident, please call customer care at 888-963-9363, and a representative will walk you through the process of lifting the hold.

Question 23

How long does it take to remove a switch-hold?

Accepted Answer

Payless Power will submit the request to remove the switch-hold once all of the required documentation is received and approved. Switch-hold removals submitted before 1:00 PM will be released by 8:00 PM that evening on TDSP operational days. Switch-hold removals submitted after 1:00 PM will be removed by 12:00 PM the following operational day.

Question 24

How does Payless Power access the cheapest rates in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Power consumers in Texas are lucky because of the deregulation of electricity throughout the state. Approved back in 2002, deregulation means that 85% of electricity customers get to choose whichever provider they want. Payless Power leverages this, working with principal utilities in more than 400 communities throughout Texas to connect you with the lowest rates. Call our customer care number at 866-963-9353 to make sure that you live in a deregulated community that we service.

Question 25

How does Payless Power Work?

Accepted Answer

For home or business, Payless Power is the sensible, convenient way to go. You’ll start by contacting one of our friendly, bilingual customer service representatives at 866-963-9353. You can choose either prepaid or traditional service, depending on what works best for your budget and lifestyle. If you choose prepaid (pay-as-you-go), we’ll have a smart meter installed in your home or office to help you stay on top of daily usage, enabling same-day connection.

Regardless of the plan you choose, we don’t require any deposits, credit checks, or long-term contracts to obtain electricity service in the Lone Star State. Getting service through Payless Power couldn’t be easier.

How can we help?

Frequently Asked Questions

Service

Billing

Accounts

General

Service

Q: How long does it take to connect service?

Q: How long does it take to connect service?

Q: Does Payless Power provide service in my community?

Q: Does Payless Power provide service in my community?

Q: How much can I save with prepaid electric service?

Q: How much can I save with prepaid electric service?

Q: How long does it take to reconnect service?

Q: How long does it take to reconnect service?

Q: How do I transfer my service to a new address?

Q: How do I transfer my service to a new address?

Q: How do I cancel service?

Q: How do I cancel service?

Q: I just started service but haven’t received a text update. What do I do?

Q: I just started service but haven’t received a text update. What do I do?

Billing

Q: Can I get a paper bill?

Q: Can I get a paper bill?

Q: Can I pay my balance to reconnect?

Q: Can I pay my balance to reconnect?

Q: Where can I make a payment?

Q: Where can I make a payment?

Q: How does your prepaid billing work?

Q: How does your prepaid billing work?

Q: I made a payment, but didn’t get a confirmation text. What do I do?

Q: I made a payment, but didn’t get a confirmation text. What do I do?

Q: Do you accept state-issued child support debit cards?

Q: Do you accept state-issued child support debit cards?

Q: What is the minimum payment amount that you will accept?

Q: What is the minimum payment amount that you will accept?

Q: Do you have Auto-Payment options?

Q: Do you have Auto-Payment options?

Accounts

Q: How do I change my contact information?

Q: How do I change my contact information?

Q: How do I add an authorized user?

Q: How do I add an authorized user?

Q: What information is required to access the account?

Q: What information is required to access the account?

Q: Can I change the name on my account?

Q: Can I change the name on my account?

General

Q: How does Payless Power access the cheapest rates in Texas?

Q: How does Payless Power access the cheapest rates in Texas?

Q: How can I see my meter information?

Q: How can I see my meter information?

Q: What is a switch-hold?

Q: What is a switch-hold?

Q: How does Payless Power Work?

Q: How does Payless Power Work?

Q: How long does it take to remove a switch-hold?

Q: How long does it take to remove a switch-hold?

Still have questions? We are here to help.

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