AES Indiana's bill payment methods and where to send payments

AES Indiana (formerly known as Citizens Energy Group for electric service) lets you pay your bill through their online account portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at payment centers. The online portal is the fastest route — you can pay when ready and see your payment post within one business day. If you prefer mail, checks should be sent to the address printed on your bill, and you'll need to allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to reach and post to your account.

The company does not charge a fee for paying online through their website or by phone using a bank account or debit card. If you use a credit card online, AES Indiana passes a processing fee to you — the amount varies depending on the card type and processor, but typically ranges from 2% to 3% of your bill. Paying by mail costs only a stamp.

AES Indiana's service territory covers Indianapolis and surrounding areas in central Indiana. If you receive your bill from a different utility (such as Duke Energy, Vectren, or a municipal utility), these instructions do not explore to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online through AES Indiana's website using a bank account, debit card, or credit card, with no fee for bank or debit payments.
  • Phone payments using a bank account or debit card are available and processed the same day, with no fee charged by the utility.
  • Mailed checks should go to the address on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send them early if your due date is near.
  • Credit card payments online or by phone incur a processing fee of roughly 2% to 3%, which AES Indiana does not keep.
  • In-person payment at authorized locations is available, though you should confirm current locations and hours on the AES Indiana website.

Paying online through your AES Indiana account

Log in to your account at the AES Indiana website using your account number and password. If you don't have an online account yet, you can create one by providing your account number, service address, and email. Once logged in, look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" button — the exact label varies slightly depending when the website was last updated.

You'll be asked to enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or set up a recurring payment). Then select your payment method: bank account, debit card, or credit card. Bank account and debit card payments have no fee. Credit card payments trigger a processing fee that appears as a separate line item before you confirm the transaction.

Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day typically post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. You'll receive a confirmation number when ready after submitting the payment, and AES Indiana will send a receipt to your email address on file.

Paying by phone or automatic bank draft

To pay by phone, call AES Indiana's customer service line at 317-261-8261. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then walk you through entering your bank account or debit card information. Like online payments, there is no fee for bank account or debit card payments made by phone.

If you want to avoid making a payment each month, you can set up automatic bank draft (also called autopay or automatic payment). This withdraws your bill amount from your checking or savings account on a date you choose — usually a few days before the due date. You can set this up online in your account portal or by calling customer service. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account or by calling.

Mailing a check or money order

The mailing address for AES Indiana bill payments is printed on your bill statement. Do not mail payments to the company's main office address; use only the address shown on your bill. Include your account number on the check or money order, and mail it early enough to arrive at least 5 business days before your due date — the postal service typically takes 3 to 5 business days, and AES Indiana needs 2 to 3 business days to process and post the payment after it arrives.

If your due date is fewer than 7 days away, do not mail a check. Use online payment, phone payment, or in-person payment instead to avoid a late fee. Late fees are typically 1.5% of your bill balance and are added if payment is not received by 5 p.m. on the due date.

In-person payment at authorized locations

AES Indiana accepts in-person payments at authorized payment centers and retail locations throughout its service territory. These locations vary and may include utility offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing services. The company's website has a payment location finder tool where you can enter your zip code to see which locations near you accept payments.

Hours and accepted payment methods vary by location. Most locations accept cash, checks, and debit cards, but not all accept credit cards. Call ahead or check the location finder to confirm hours and what payment methods are accepted before you go.

What to do if you can't pay your full bill

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact AES Indiana's customer service as soon as possible — do not wait until after the due date. The company may offer a short-term extension (usually 5 to 10 days) or a payment plan that spreads your balance over multiple months. Payment plans typically require you to pay a portion of the current month's bill plus a portion of the past-due balance each month.

AES Indiana may also have programs for customers with low income or those facing hardship. These programs can include bill discounts, budget billing (which spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months), or emergency information. Ask about these options when you call, or look for information on the company's website under "information Programs" or "Financial Hardship."

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my online payment went through?

You'll see a confirmation number on your screen when ready after submitting the payment, and AES Indiana will email a receipt to the address on file. You can also log back into your account and check your payment history to see the transaction listed. Payments made before 5 p.m. on a business day should appear in your account by the next business day.

What happens if I pay late?

A late fee of roughly 1.5% of your bill balance is added if payment is not received by 5 p.m. on the due date. If you're more than 30 days late, AES Indiana may disconnect your service. If you know you'll be late, call customer service before the due date to discuss a payment plan or extension.

Can I pay someone else's AES Indiana bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's bill if you have their account number. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail. If paying by mail, write the account number clearly on the check. Online and phone payments will ask you to enter the account number you're paying for.

Is there a way to avoid paying a processing fee for credit card payments?

Yes. Use a bank account or debit card instead of a credit card when paying online or by phone — AES Indiana charges no fee for these methods. Mailing a check or paying in person also avoids processing fees, though mailing takes longer.

What if I don't receive my bill in the mail?

Log into your online account to view and pay your current bill. You can also call customer service to request a bill be mailed to you or to confirm your current balance. If you haven't set up online access yet, call 317-261-8261 to get your account number and create a login.