Pay your FirstEnergy bill online, by phone, or by mail

FirstEnergy offers three main ways to pay: through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. The fastest route is online through their customer portal at firstenergycorp.com — you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card, and the payment posts the same day if you submit before their cutoff time (usually 5 p.m. Eastern). Phone payments go through their automated system or a representative, and take one to two business days to process. Mailed checks take five to seven business days, so mail early if your due date is near.

You do not need to create a new account to pay online — you can make a one-time payment as a guest using your account number and ZIP code. Your account number appears on your bill, usually in the upper right corner. If you are paying someone else's bill, you will need their account number, not your own.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through FirstEnergy's website or app is the fastest option and posts the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern.
  • Phone payments can be made through an automated system or with a representative, and typically process within one to two business days.
  • Mailed checks take five to seven business days, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid a late payment.
  • You can pay as a guest online using only your account number and ZIP code — no login required for a one-time payment.
  • Late fees apply if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of which payment method you use.

Online payment through your FirstEnergy account

Log into your account at firstenergycorp.com and select "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment." You will see your current balance and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. Choose your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. Bank transfers are free; debit card payments may carry a small fee, which FirstEnergy will show you before you confirm.

If you do not have an online account, you can still pay without logging in. Go to the "Pay as Guest" option, enter your account number and ZIP code, and follow the same steps. This works for one-time payments only. If you plan to pay regularly, creating an account takes about five minutes and lets you set up automatic payments, view your payment history, and receive paperless bills.

Phone payment and automatic payment setup

Call FirstEnergy's payment line at 1-800-633-4766 to pay by phone. You can use their automated system (available 24/7) or speak to a representative during business hours. Have your account number and payment method ready — they accept bank account transfers and debit or credit cards. Automated payments process within one to two business days; representative-assisted payments may take slightly longer.

If you want to set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month, you can do this online through your account or by calling the same number. Automatic payments pull from your bank account on a date you choose, usually a few days before the due date. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account or by calling.

Mailed check payments and where to send them

If you prefer to pay by mail, write your account number on the check and mail it to the address shown on your bill. This address varies by FirstEnergy subsidiary (Ohio Edison, Pennsylvania Power, The Illuminating Company, and others), so always use the address printed on your specific bill, not a general company address. Include the payment stub from your bill if possible — it helps the company match your payment to your account faster.

Mail your check at least seven to ten days before your due date. FirstEnergy's processing centers take five to seven business days to receive and post mailed payments, and late fees apply if the payment is not recorded by the due date. If your due date is within a week, use online or phone payment instead.

What happens if you miss the due date

If your payment is not received by the due date on your bill, FirstEnergy will charge a late fee. The amount varies by state and your service area, but typically ranges from a percentage of your bill or a flat fee — check your bill or account for the exact amount. A late payment also appears on your account and may affect your credit report if it remains unpaid for 30 days or more.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact FirstEnergy before the due date. They offer payment plans that spread your balance over several months, and some customers may be may be able to access for hardship programs that temporarily lower your bill. Call 1-800-633-4766 to discuss your options.

Payment methods and fees

FirstEnergy accepts bank account transfers (ACH), debit cards, and credit cards online and by phone. Bank transfers are free and are the cheapest option. Debit card payments usually carry a small fee (typically $1 to $3), and credit card payments may have a higher fee. When you pay online or by phone, FirstEnergy shows you the fee before you confirm, so you know the total cost upfront.

Mailed checks are free but slow. Some FirstEnergy customers also pay in person at authorized payment locations — ask your local utility office or check the company website for locations near you. In-person payments are usually processed the same day.

Paperless billing and payment reminders

If you sign up for paperless billing through your online account, you will receive an email when your bill is ready instead of a paper bill in the mail. This also lets you set up payment reminders — FirstEnergy can email you a few days before your due date so you do not forget. You can turn off paperless billing anytime and return to paper bills.

Even with paperless billing, you can still view your bill anytime by logging into your account. This is useful if you need to check your balance, see your payment history, or look up your account number before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does FirstEnergy stop accepting online payments on the due date?

Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern typically post the same day. If you submit after 5 p.m., the payment may not post until the next business day, which could result in a late fee if the due date is that day. To be safe, pay by mid-afternoon on your due date.

Can I pay FirstEnergy with a credit card without a fee?

Credit card payments carry a fee, usually higher than debit card fees. Bank account transfers (ACH) are free and are the lowest-cost option. If you want to use a credit card, FirstEnergy will show you the fee amount before you confirm the payment.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up in my account right away?

Online payments typically post within 24 hours. If you paid by bank transfer, it may take one to two business days. Check your account a day after paying; if the payment still does not appear, call 1-800-633-4766 with your confirmation number from the payment receipt.

Can I set up automatic payments and still change the amount each month?

Automatic payments deduct a fixed amount on the same date each month. If you want to pay a different amount some months, you can make a one-time payment online or by phone in addition to your automatic payment, or you can temporarily pause automatic payments and pay manually that month.

Is there a way to avoid late fees if I cannot pay by the due date?

Contact FirstEnergy before your due date to set up a payment plan. They can spread your balance over several months with smaller payments, which avoids a late fee if you stick to the plan. Call 1-800-633-4766 to discuss what arrangements may be available for your situation.