Capital Credits

The cash you get back from Cobb EMC (known as capital credits) is your individual portion of the cooperative’s profits beyond the costs of providing our members reliable electricity. As a not-for-profit business, we exist to provide you reliable electricity – not to make a profit. When we have a good year and earn profits or margins, we can give cash (or capital credits) back to our members.

This cash back – or retirement of patronage capital – is controlled by the bylaws of our co-op. Decisions about whether to give cash back (and when) are made annually, based on the company’s financial condition, and approved by the board of directors. Once approved, capital credits are distributed (processed and applied) to active accounts. For amounts over $500, checks are mailed in August. A check is also mailed for all inactive accounts in August. 

• Current members: Current members will receive their cash back in the form of a bill credit on their July or August bill, the year capital credits are distributed. Look for the line-item titled Capital Credit Cash Back. If the amount is $500 or more, members will receive a check in the mail in August.*
• Former members: Former members who have moved and are no longer on the Cobb EMC system will receive a notice and check in the mail in August for the remaining credit after any balances are paid.* A check will be mailed to the most recent address that was provided.
• Deceased members: If the account is active and the cash back amount is less than $500 then a bill credit will be applied to the primary account residence after any balances are paid. If the amount is $500 or more, after any balances are paid, a check will be mailed to the primary account residence in the name shown on the account.* For inactive accounts, for the remaining credit after any balances are paid, a check will be mailed to the primary account residence in the name shown on the account to the most recent address provided.* Heirs or estates of current or former members may apply for capital credits to be issued to a name and or address that is different than what we have on file.

*Some restrictions may apply. If you have specific questions about your account, email our team at memberservices@cobbemc.com.

The amount you receive is based on how much you paid for electricity during 2025. 

Members with more than one active account in the year capital credits are distributed will receive one combined credit or check for all accounts in July or August. If you have unpaid or past due balances owed on more than one account, then the credit may be applied to more than one account.

Members with a closed and active account will receive one combined credit or check for all accounts. Look for the line-item titled Capital Credit Cash Back on the July or August bill of the active account after any balances are paid. If the combined amount is $500 or more, members will receive one check in the mail in August for all accounts.

Yes, all Cobb EMC members, both residential and commercial, can receive capital credits. The amount is calculated the same, regardless of the type of member. If the business has been sold or dissolved, please complete the redesignation application.

Decisions about whether to give cash back (and how much and when) are made annually, based on the company’s financial condition. The board of directors also assesses whether the company needs to invest in system improvements to improve reliability. Reinvesting that money in our cooperative means we don’t have to borrow money, which helps us keep costs down and rates low.