SHREVEPORT, La. – On a recent weekday morning, an Arkansas woman picked up the phone hoping for just one thing - help she could trust. Like many families navigating tight budgets, she was worried about keeping her home powered and wasn’t sure what options remained. But after more than a century of serving communities across Arkansas, SWEPCO’s customer service team knew exactly how to support her.
What she found on the other end of the line wasn’t a dead end, but a new beginning: SWEPCO’s helpful prepay program, a flexible payment option made possible by the company’s investment in advanced meter technology. With a modest initial payment, she could stay connected, manage her usage in real time, and pay in the way that worked best for her life with no credit checks, no fees, and complete control over how and when she added funds.
For her, it was relief. For SWEPCO, it was another example of how modern technology and a long-standing commitment to customer care can come together to make a meaningful difference.
SWEPCO’s new customer-focused bill solution for Arkansas customers is designed to give more control over how and when customers pay for electricity.
Pay As You Go with SWEPCO allows customers to pay for electricity in advance, similar to adding funds to a gift card. This approach helps customers avoid surprise bills by deducting energy usage from their prepaid balance, with reminders to add funds when their balance runs low.
Key Features:
- No Deposit Needed: Customers can enroll without a security deposit or a credit check.
- Support for Past Due Balances: 20% of pre-payments will go towards past due balances, while 80% covers future usage.
- Real-Time Balance Updates: Receive daily notifications about account balances and energy usage.
- Flexible Payment Methods: Make payments online or in person, without a standard monthly bill.
Eligibility extends to most customers with qualifying smart meters (AMI).
“We designed Pay As You Go to meet customers where they are,” said Paul Pratt, Vice President of Customer Experience & New Business Development at SWEPCO. “This program gives people the tools to track their usage, manage their budget day by day, and stay in control. It’s all about providing flexibility and making it easier for customers to stay connected on their terms.”