Bill Payment Assistance

Payment Assistance

Below are resources for members who are having trouble paying their bill. Many of these agencies will require a 12 month billing history, which the cooperative can provide to you. We do request that you first contact our office so we can try to work with you on a payment arrangement. In addition to the resources listed below, many area churches also provide assistance if you contact them.

Financial Assistance

The following governmental or social service agencies may be able to assist you if your are having trouble making your payment for electric service to SBEC.

Austin County, Colorado County

Combined Community Action
165 West Austin
Giddings, TX 78942
(979) 540-2980, 1-800-688-9065

Lavaca County

Combined Community Action
4007 Halsey Street
P O Box 3607
Victoria, TX 77903
(361) 578-2989, 1-800-695-0314

Montgomery County

Society of Samaritans
31355 Industrial Lane, Suite 500
Magnolia, TX 77353
(281) 252-9647 or (281) 259-8452

Waller County

Brazos Valley Community Action Agency
1500 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 846-1100

United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast

531 - FM 359 South
Brookshire, TX 77423
(281) 822-4200, 1-800-366-3025

Grimes County

Brazos Valley Community Action Agency
1500 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 846-1100

Public Utility Commission

1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 936-7000
Link to Public Utility Commission of Texas
The telephone number for the teletypewriter for the deaf is (512) 936-7136 TTY.

Operation Round-Up

Operation Round Up®

A program designed by San Bernard Electric Cooperative for members to help members in need and support non-profit organizations in the communities we serve.

As a member of the SBEC you have a choice of assisting members who need help. These are most often the elderly or disabled members on a fixed income. In some cases these members may have had a crisis situation leaving them without the funds to pay their electric bill. Your contribution will also provide support to local non-profit organizations such as fire departments.

By participating in Operation Round Up, SBEC will round off the member's bill to the next higher dollar. For example; if your bill is $126.50 SBEC will round it up to $127.00. The difference of .50 cents goes directly to the Operation Roundup Fund. The most any member contributes to Operation Round Up a year is $11.88. This alone may not be effective in our communities, but together, these funds can be used to make our communities much better. If you would like to donate any additional funds to Operation Round-Up, please call our offices at 1-800-364-3171.

Members calling in for assistance will be interviewed to qualify for assistance. The interviewer will need to know the; members' total income, sources of income, if they are disabled, documentation of disability, is this an emergency crisis, documentation of proof of the crisis, age, how many live in household. Funds are distributed fairly and appropriately according to the guidelines set forth by SBEC, without regard to race, national origin, age, physical handicap, religion, or religious practices and lifestyle.

The recipient must be a SBEC member.
Funds are applied to the SBEC member’s utility bill.
Fund limit per SBEC member is $150.00 per request for a total of $500.00 per year.
Applicant is interviewed by a SBEC employee over the telephone.

To receive assistance from the program please call the Bellville office, (979) 865-3171 or 1-800-364-3171.

When you sign up for service from SBEC you are automatically enrolled in Operation Round Up, to opt-out of the program please call the Bellville office at (979)-865-3171 or (800)-364-3171.