FreeState understands that some members don’t operate during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That’s why the cooperative has added VanillaDirect Pay as an option for cash payment with a barcode printed right on the monthly bill. The option is a convenient and secure service that lets you pay your bill with cash when you are on the go, running errands to your favorite retail or grocery stores.
Using the cash payment option is one of the quickest ways to post money to your electric account if you cannot get to the office. Members who use money orders to pay bills can also save a stamp and pay cash at many of the exact locations money orders are picked up. The VanillaDirect cash option requires no mailing or driving to our offices and provides members with another opportunity to use retail stores open later than the FreeState offices or your bank.
“Our latest cash payment is just one more way we make paying your bill as convenient as possible,” said Member Relations Manager Jennifer Ping. “When we developed this partnership, we kept our members in mind and how we could make bill payment even more convenient, especially for those who are unable or prefer not to pay with check or debit or credit cards.
While members enrolled in PowerPay or those using money orders may see the most benefit, any member can benefit whether paying daily or monthly.
“FreeState chose VanillaDirect because they are a trusted third-party option in our digital world,” Ping said. “They have an expansive network of retailers that many of our members often visit and they offer a search tool online or via SmartHub to assist members in finding a retailer in their area.”
VanillaDirect
When you are ready to make a cash payment at a retailer, you will need to bring two things:
Your barcode for each bill you want to pay. You can find the FreeState barcode on your monthly paper bill or SmartHub.
The amount of cash you want to apply to your electric account.
Once you make a payment, you can check your bill status on your SmartHub account or by calling the FreeState office. Payments should post within a few moments of the transaction. Receipts are also available at vanilladirect.com/pay/ereceipt.
The retailer and VanillaDirect representatives are simply providing convenience for members. They are not employees of FreeState and will not know what FreeState’s specific terms are. If you have questions about your FreeState account, please contact FreeState.