A fixed amount to be paid each month by the individual member is determined based upon previous year's electrical usage. Any previous balances (debit or credit) will be included in this calculation to "true up" the account. The account(s) are then reviewed during the budget year and could be revised every six (6) months to reflect changing weather patterns and other factors that might affect actual usage.
The SEC Call Center was established to promote consistency in the provision of services to members, as well as provide timely responses to members' concerns from a central "one-stop shopping" entity within the Cooperative.
The overall goal of the Call Center is to improve the provision of customer service(s) to SEC members throughout the Cooperative's service area.
SEC members may view and pay their electric service bill online here. Members may use a VISA, Master Card, Discover, or electronic check drawn from their checking account. Members may also view the details of their current bill, view a 12-month usage history, calculate an estimated bill, request security light installations, or report service problems or outages.
SEC provides programs to teach children and adults about electrical safety. Contact your nearest district office or the Headquarters Office for details.
A one-time financial assistance to pay a fuel/energy bill can be obtained by eligible persons after they have either been determined ineligible to secure assistance and/or have exhausted efforts to secure help from other federal/state programs. Applications for assistance under Energy Share should be made at county departments of social service/welfare or HOPE Incorporated, Farmville, Virginia. Contact SEC's Member and Public Relations department for information on how to donate to the Energy Share Program.
Under the EZpay bill-payment service, the members allow SEC to instruct their bank, credit union, Master Card/VISA/Discover or other financial institution to automatically deduct the electric service bill from a specified account each month. Participating members receive a monthly statement and notification as to what day the payment will be deducted from their designated account.
Members of Southside Electric Cooperative use an updated interactive telephone service when calling the Cooperative. "Telelink," a comprehensive automated customer service system that uses "Interactive Voice Response" technology on our automated telephone system. With voice recognition, members may speak their response or use a touch-tone phone keypad to enter their information.
This program allows SEC an opportunity to establish a relationship and provide products and services to its key commercial and industrial customers which, in turn, demonstrates the Cooperative's commitment to meeting their immediate and future power-supply and business needs.
Members should inform the Cooperative if they have some type of life-sustaining equipment in their home. The account location will then be identified on SEC's mapping system and the affected members will be notified during instances of planned electric power outages. Priority is also given to these account locations in the event of extended power outages, as may be possible given the power flow requirements of SEC’s distribution system. It is important that members be familiar with the type of life-sustaining equipment being used, e.g. back-up feature included or if some type of standby generation is needed.
This insurance is available to SEC members through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Check out SEC's online energy audit program, Home Energy Suite.
'Serious medical condition' means a physical or psychiatric condition that requires medical intervention to prevent further disability, loss of function, or death. Such conditions are characterized by a need for ongoing medical supervision or the consultation of a physician. Serious medical condition carries with it a risk to health beyond that experienced by the majority of children and adults in their day-to-day minor illnesses and injuries. Individuals with a serious medical condition may require administration of specialized treatments and may be dependent on medical technology such as ventilators, dialysis machines, enteral or parenteral nutrition support, or continuous oxygen. Medical interventions may include medications with special storage requirements, use of powered equipment, or access to water.
The Code of Virginia 20VAC5-330 established guidelines or limitations on the termination of electric service to persons with serious medical conditions and provides the utility with a completed Serious Medical Condition Form. If you feel that you or a family member living with you qualify as having a serious medical condition you may print this form and have your physician complete the information required. The completed form must be returned to Southside Electric Cooperative. Any form returned that is not complete will be returned to the customer.
Personnel from SEC are available to serve as speakers/presenters on a variety of topics at schools, civic and other community-based organizations.
If you are concerned that you may overlook paying your bill at some point and time and risk having your service disconnected, Third-Party Notification may be for you. With your authorization, the Cooperative will attempt to contact a relative or friend. This third-party can then help you arrange payment before any service interruption occurs. Visit our application form's download page to get a copy of the Third Party Notification Form.
SEC participates in this program in cooperation with our county departments of social services/welfare. These agencies take applications and determine the eligibility of persons seeking to obtain financial assistance in paying energy/fuel bills. Approved applications/fuel bills are then forwarded to the Virginia Department of Social Services/Welfare for payment to the Cooperative and other fuel/energy providers.
These services are available to SEC members who might be performing various types of new construction, remodeling, upgrading, expanding or relocating existing facilities and equipment and/or who may be purchasing various types of energy-efficient electrical equipment/appliances.
SEC will install a Yard light upon an existing pole at no extra charge upon request of the member providing no additional facilities are required for installation of the yard light. Should additional facilities be required, these costs will be applied to the member's next billing statement. Additional lights are also available. Click here for the form.