Setting Up Auto Pay for A Utility Bill

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Setting Up Auto Pay for A Utility Bill


South Bend Municipal Utilities (SBMU) offers customers two options to set up automatic payments (Auto Pay) for their monthly utility bill. Customers can auto pay through a bank account or a credit/debit card. 



What are my options for enrolling in Auto Pay?

Customers can enroll in one of two Auto Pay options:

  1. Auto Pay from a checking or savings account (bank drafting)
  2. Auto Pay through a credit or debit card

Customers will still receive monthly billing statements while enrolled in Auto Pay. There is an option to sign up for paperless statements and receive the monthly bill via email only.


How do I enroll in Auto Pay?

Customers can enroll in bank drafting in two ways: 

1. Auto Pay through bank drafting

Customers can also set up bank drafting through the online portal at utilities.southbendin.govOnce logged in, click the Bills & Payment tab on the left side of the screen. Click on Auto Pay on the right side to enroll in your preferred payment method. A voided check is NOT needed if customers sign up via the online portal.

Customers can also download an application for bank drafting hereA voided check must be included with your application. To Auto Pay from a savings account, contact your financial institution for the appropriate routing transit and bank account number to be listed on the Auto Pay application.

The completed bank drafting application can be submitted to the Utility Customer Service Office in several ways:

Email: SBMUcustomerservice@southbendin.gov
Fax: 574.235.5645
Mail or submit in person to: 125 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601

2. Auto Pay through a credit or debit card

Customers can set up automatic credit or debit card payments through the online billing portal at utilities.southbendin.gov. Once logged in, click the Bills & Payment tab on the left side of the screen. Click on Auto Pay on the right side to enroll in your preferred method of payment.

Customers can modify their Auto Pay method at any time.


When will the funds be withdrawn from my account?

Payments will be withdrawn on the bill due date or on the following business day. Customers cannot select a day for payments to be withdrawn. Note: the bill will not be due on the same date every month. 


I signed up for Auto Pay. How long does it take to begin?

Auto Pay should begin with the next bill that generates after your request has been processed. When customers receive their next bill, it should say “Do Not Pay” in the payment entry box on the bill stub. This is where a customer would typically write in the total payment amount. 

Auto Pay will be removed without notice when SBMU receives notice from your bank that the payment was rejected or declined. SBMU does not receive notice when credit cards are set to expire, so it cannot provide advance notice to customers if they are removed from Auto Pay due to an expired card.