Con Edison payment plans let you spread your electric or gas bill over several months instead of paying the full amount by the due date

Con Edison (Con Ed) serves customers in New York City and Westchester County. If you cannot pay your full bill when it arrives, you can contact Con Ed directly to set up a payment plan. The company does not charge interest on the plan itself, but your service can be disconnected if you miss a payment or fall behind on the plan.

The plan you get depends on your account history and how much you owe. Con Ed typically offers plans that spread payments over two to twelve months, though the exact timeline depends on your balance and income. You must call Con Ed's customer service line or visit in person at a payment center to set up the plan — you cannot create one online through their website.

Once you are on a plan, you make regular monthly payments on top of your current bill. This means your monthly payment will be higher than usual. If you miss even one payment, Con Ed can cancel the plan and demand the full remaining balance, which can lead to a disconnection notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Con Ed payment plans spread your bill over two to twelve months with no interest charge, but you must call customer service or visit a payment center to set one up.
  • Your monthly payment includes both the plan installment and your current month's charges, so your bill will be higher than normal while you are on the plan.
  • Missing a single payment cancels the plan and can trigger a disconnection notice within days.
  • If you cannot afford the plan payment, contact Con Ed immediately to renegotiate before your service is cut off.
  • Low-income customers may have access to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or other hardship programs that can reduce or cover your bill instead of a payment plan.

How to set up a Con Edison payment plan

Call Con Ed's customer service line at 1-800-752-6633 (or 1-800-752-6634 for Spanish). Have your account number ready — it appears on your bill. Tell the representative you cannot pay the full amount and ask about a payment plan. Con Ed will review your account history and the amount you owe, then offer you a plan with a specific monthly payment and number of months.

You can also visit a Con Ed payment center in person. Locations are listed on their website under "Payment Centers." Walk-in hours vary by location, and some centers require an appointment. Bring your bill or account number and a photo ID.

Once you agree to the plan, Con Ed will send you a confirmation letter with the payment amount, due date, and plan end date. Keep this letter. Your first payment is usually due within two weeks. You can pay by phone, online through your Con Ed account, by mail, or in person at a payment center.

What happens if you miss a payment on your plan

If you miss a payment, Con Ed will send you a notice. The company typically gives you a grace period of a few days before treating it as a missed payment, but this varies. Once a payment is officially late, Con Ed can cancel your plan immediately and demand the full remaining balance.

After cancellation, Con Ed will send a disconnection notice if you do not pay the full amount within the timeframe stated in the notice — usually five to ten business days. The disconnection can happen without further warning. If your service is cut off, you will need to pay the full balance plus a reconnection fee (typically $50 to $100) to restore power or gas.

If you realize you will miss a payment, call Con Ed before the due date. Explain your situation and ask if they can adjust the plan, extend the due date, or offer a different arrangement. Con Ed has some flexibility, especially if you have been making payments on time up to that point. The key is to contact them before you miss the payment, not after.

The difference between a payment plan and a hardship program

A payment plan spreads your existing bill across several months. You still owe the full amount; you are just paying it in pieces. Con Ed does not reduce what you owe.

A hardship program may reduce or forgive part of your bill if you meet income requirements. Con Ed offers programs for low-income customers, including discounts on rates and bill forgiveness in some cases. These programs are separate from payment plans and often provide more relief if you may have access to.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a state program that can pay part or all of your Con Ed bill if your household income is below a certain threshold. HEAP is run by your local Department of Social Services, not by Con Ed. You apply directly to your local DSS office or through their website. HEAP typically covers one bill per year, though the amount varies by county and income.

If you are struggling to pay, ask Con Ed whether you meet the income limits for their hardship programs before you set up a payment plan. A hardship program may save you money in the long run.

How payment plans affect your credit and your account

Setting up a payment plan does not directly hurt your credit score. Con Ed does not report payment plans to credit bureaus. However, if you miss a payment on the plan and Con Ed sends your account to a collection agency, that collection account will appear on your credit report and damage your score.

A payment plan also does not erase past-due amounts. If you already have a balance that is overdue, the plan covers that balance plus any new charges that arrive during the plan period. Your monthly payment will reflect both.

If you have been disconnected in the past or have a history of late payments, Con Ed may require a deposit to restore service or may offer a shorter payment plan (two to three months instead of twelve). Ask what options are available for your specific account.

What to do if Con Ed disconnects your service

Con Ed must send a disconnection notice before cutting off your service, except in cases of tampering or safety hazards. The notice will state the date and time of disconnection and the amount you must pay to avoid it. If you receive a disconnection notice, you have a few days to act.

Call Con Ed immediately and explain your situation. Ask if they can delay the disconnection while you arrange payment or renegotiate your plan. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about emergency assistance programs or a revised payment plan. Con Ed has some authority to delay disconnection if you are working toward a solution.

If your service is disconnected, you will need to pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore it. Reconnection typically happens within one to two business days of payment. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact a local community action agency or nonprofit that helps with utility bills — many can provide emergency assistance or negotiate with Con Ed on your behalf.

Payment plan options for different situations

Con Ed offers different plan lengths depending on how much you owe and your account history. A customer with a $300 balance might get a three-month plan ($100 per month plus current charges). A customer with a $1,200 balance might get a twelve-month plan ($100 per month plus current charges). The company does not publish exact thresholds, so the offer you receive depends on your specific account.

If you have been disconnected before or have multiple past-due accounts, Con Ed may require a shorter plan or a deposit. Some customers are offered a plan with a required upfront payment — for example, $200 now and then $100 per month for the remaining balance. Ask Con Ed what options are available for your account before you agree to anything.

If the monthly payment Con Ed offers is still too high, ask if they can extend the plan to more months or if a hardship program would be a better fit. Do not agree to a payment you cannot afford — it will only lead to another disconnection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a payment plan if I have been disconnected before?

Yes, but Con Ed may require a deposit or offer a shorter plan period. Call customer service and explain your situation. Some customers with past disconnections are required to pay a portion upfront before the plan begins. Ask what Con Ed requires for your account.

Does Con Ed charge interest on a payment plan?

No. Con Ed does not charge interest on the plan itself. However, if you miss a payment and your account goes to a collection agency, the collection agency may add fees. The plan amount you owe stays the same as long as you make payments on time.

What if I cannot afford the monthly payment Con Ed offers?

Call Con Ed and ask if they can extend the plan to more months to lower the payment. If that does not work, ask about hardship programs or HEAP. If you still cannot pay, contact a local community action agency — many offer emergency utility assistance or can negotiate with Con Ed on your behalf.

Can I pay my plan online?

Yes. Once your plan is set up, you can pay through your Con Ed online account, by phone, by mail, or in person. Set up automatic payments if possible to avoid missing a due date. You can manage your account at conedison.com.

What happens to my plan if I move?

Your payment plan stays with your account, not with the address. If you move within Con Ed's service area, the plan transfers to your new address. If you move outside their service area, the plan ends and you will owe any remaining balance before your service is disconnected at the old address.