Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is online bill pay?

Where can I find my account number?
Do I need any special hardware or software to sign up for this online payment service?
What browsers and operating systems are supported?
How is my information protected?

After enrolling in this service, when can I start paying my bills?
What if I never received my activation email?
What forms of payment can be used?

Can I make a scheduled payment for a future date?

How can I cancel a payment?

When is my payment credited to my account?
Will I receive a confirmation number after paying my bill?

How will my payment appear on my statement?

What if I forget my password?
What if I forget my Login ID?
Is there a cost to use this service?
How do I cancel this payment service?
If an account is in a name other than my own, can I still sign up for this payments service?
Will I receive a reminder that I have an eBill ready for viewing and paying?
How long does it take to receive a new eBill?
Will I still receive a paper copy of the bill through the U.S. mail?
Can I store or view paid eBills?
When is the money for the payment drawn from my bank account?
How far in advance of the due date should I schedule my payments?
If the amount for an eBill seems incorrect, what should I do?
How can I confirm that a payment has been made?
What do I do if the payment amount or date is incorrect?

What is online bill pay?
This online bill pay service is offered by The Bristol Housing Authority in partnership with Webster Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.  Webster Payment-Link® is an electronic bill presentment and payments service which allows payers an easy and secure method to view and pay bills directly through the Bristol Housing Authority website.

 

Where can I find my account number?
You can find your account number on a recent paper bill (refer to sample below).  If you are unable to locate your account number, you can contact us for this information.

 

 

Do I need any special hardware or software to sign up for this online payment service?
You do not need any special hardware or software to use this service.  You will only need access to the Internet and a supported browser and operating systems listed below.  Please note that some older browsers use 40-bit encryption. For the highest level of security available, we suggest you use 128-bit encryption to access the site.

 

What browsers and operating systems are supported?
Payment-Link supports a wide variety of browsers and operating systems.  For the best browsing experience, we recommend the following browsers and versions.

 

For Windows OS on PCs, the following browsers are supported:

·         Google Chrome - current version plus one previous version

·         Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 only) – current version

·         Mozilla Firefox (Windows only) – current version plus one previous version 

 

For Apple OS on Macs, the following browser is supported:

·         Apple Safari – current version

  

How is my information protected?

Payment-Link conforms to the highest standard in Internet security, including 256-bit SSL encryption, and is compliant with all information security standards.  All information is stored in a secure fashion to prevent unauthorized access to the data.  The data is kept private and is not shared.  You can also view our Privacy Policy.

 

After enrolling in this service, when can I start paying my bills?
After you complete and submit the enrollment information and respond to the activation email, we will start your service immediately. You can then access the service to view and pay your current eBill.  You may begin receiving eBill notifications within a month or so, depending upon the billing cycle.  This service is available for payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The same day payment cutoff time is 8:00 PM ET.

 

The Bristol Housing Authority has enabled the One-Time/Pay Now option, so you do not need to enroll to use this service and can still pay your bill online anytime it’s convenient for you.

 

What if I never received my activation email?
If you need to have your activation email resent to you, please contact us.

 

What forms of payment can be used?

Payment-Link can accept payments through your bank account (ACH or electronic check) using a checking or savings account.

 

Can I make a scheduled payment for a future date?

Generally, you can set up a future payment at the same time you are paying a current bill.  You can also setup recurring/auto payment rules.

 

How can I cancel a payment?

If you need to cancel a payment after it has been scheduled, you can login to your online profile and select Cancel Payment from the menu to cancel the payment.  Payments can be cancelled up to the payment cutoff time.  You can also contact us to cancel the payment.

 

When is my payment credited to my account?
Generally, any payment made before the cutoff time will be credited to your account on the same day.

 

Will I receive a confirmation number after paying my bill?

Yes, you will receive a confirmation number when you schedule a payment.  You can always login to obtain your confirmation number.

 

How will my payment appear on my statement?

Your payment will appear on your bank account statement for the payment amount you authorized.  The Bristol Housing Authority assesses a $0.50 convenience fee.

 

What if I forget my password?
The main webpage where you can login provides the ability for you to have your password emailed to the email address used when you enrolled.

 

What if I forget my Login ID?
The main webpage where you can login provides the ability for you to have your Login ID emailed to the email address used when you enrolled.  You will need to provide your billing account number and the email address used when you enrolled.

 

Is there a cost to use this service?
There is no cost for enrolling in and using this payment site.  The Bristol Housing Authority assesses a $0.50 convenience fee.  You can refer to the Terms and Conditions when making a payment for complete details or contact us.

 

How do I cancel this payment service?
To cancel this payments service, log in to your account and click un-enroll.

 

If an account is in a name other than my own, can I still sign up for this payments service?
Yes, but please be sure to use the correct account number as it appears on the monthly paper bill.

 

Will I receive a reminder that I have an eBill ready for viewing and paying?
Yes, you will receive an email notification reminding you that an eBill is available and is ready for payment.

 

How long does it take to receive a new eBill?
Once you enroll your most recent bill should be available immediately.

 

Will I still receive a paper copy of the bill through the U.S. mail?
If you currently receive a paper copy of your bill from The Bristol Housing Authority, you will still receive a paper copy.

 

Can I store or view paid eBills?
Yes, statement information and payment history will be available online for 365 days.

 

When is the money for the payment drawn from my bank account?
The funds for the payment are debited from your account on the business day following the payment date.  Keep in mind that you should always have funds available to cover the payment on that date.

 

How far in advance of the due date should I schedule my payments?
We suggest you schedule your payment for at least 2-3 business days before the actual payment due date.

 

If the amount for an eBill seems incorrect, what should I do?
If you have questions about the amount due, please contact us.

 

How can I confirm that a payment has been made?
After the payment date, check the status of the payment by logging in and checking the "Payment Status”.  If the status is "Paid," then the payment has been sent.  You can also check to see if the funds have been drawn from your bank account, or you can contact us.

 

What do I do if the payment amount or date is incorrect?
You can contact us for any questions related to your payment.