How to Pay Your Peoples Gas Bill Online, by Phone, or Mail

The three ways to pay Peoples Gas

Peoples Gas, which serves customers in Illinois and serves parts of the Chicago area, lets you pay your bill through their website, by phone, or by mailing a check. The fastest method is online through your Peoples Gas account — you can pay when ready and see the transaction go through in real time. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call their payment line. Mailing a check works if you want a paper record, but it takes longer to reach them and post to your account.

Whichever method you choose, have your account number ready. You will find it on your bill, usually near the top. If you are paying online, you will also need to set up login credentials if you have not already done so.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through the Peoples Gas website is the fastest option and shows your payment status when ready after you submit it.
• Phone payments require your account number and a debit card or bank account, and you can pay any day of the week.
• Mailed checks should include your account number on the check itself and take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account.
• Peoples Gas does not charge a fee for online or phone payments made directly from your bank account, though credit card payments may carry a processing fee.

Paying online through your Peoples Gas account

Go to the Peoples Gas website and log in to your account. If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one using your account number and the service address on your bill. Once you are logged in, look for a "Pay Bill" or "Make a Payment" button — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on a computer or phone.

Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance shown on your bill, a partial amount, or more than the balance if you want to prepay. Then choose your payment method: bank account (checking or savings) or debit card. Bank account payments are free. Debit card payments may have a fee — Peoples Gas will show you the fee amount before you confirm the payment, so you can decide whether to proceed.

After you submit the payment, you will see a confirmation number on your screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment usually posts to your account within one business day if you pay before 5 p.m. central time on a business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends typically post the next business day.

Paying by phone

Call Peoples Gas at the phone number on your bill. Have your account number and a debit card or bank account information ready. A representative will ask you which amount you want to pay and which payment method you prefer. Like online payments, paying from your bank account is free, while debit card payments may carry a fee.

The representative will give you a confirmation number when the payment is processed. Ask them to repeat it and write it down. Phone payments are processed the same way as online payments — usually within one business day during business hours, or the next business day if you call after hours or on a weekend.

Paying by mail

Write a check payable to Peoples Gas. On the check itself, write your account number in the memo line. Include the payment stub from your bill in the envelope if you have it — the stub has your account number printed on it and helps Peoples Gas match your payment to your account faster.

Mail the check to the address shown on your bill. Do not send cash through the mail. Mailed payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account, so mail your payment early if your due date is coming up. If you are close to the due date and worried the check will not arrive in time, use online or phone payment instead.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

Peoples Gas allows partial payments. You can pay whatever amount you can afford, and the remaining balance will carry over to your next bill. There is no penalty for paying less than the full amount, though unpaid balances may accrue late fees if they remain unpaid past the due date shown on your bill.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact Peoples Gas directly to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. They may be able to spread your balance over several months or connect you with community resources. The phone number is on your bill.

Checking your payment status

After you make a payment online or by phone, log back into your Peoples Gas account to confirm it posted. You should see the payment listed under your account activity or payment history. The balance owed should decrease by the amount you paid. If you paid by mail, it may take several days before the payment shows up in your online account, so do not be alarmed if you do not see it when ready.

Keep your confirmation number until you see the payment post to your account. If there is ever a dispute about whether you paid, the confirmation number is your proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up automatic payments with Peoples Gas?

Yes. Log into your online account and look for an autopay or automatic payment option. You can choose to pay the full bill amount each month on a date you select, or a fixed amount if you prefer. You can cancel autopay at any time through your account settings.

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up in my account?

Wait one full business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. central time or on weekends post the next business day. If more than one business day has passed and the payment still does not appear, call Peoples Gas with your confirmation number and they can look it up in their system.

Is there a fee to pay my Peoples Gas bill?

Payments from your bank account (checking or savings) are free. Debit card payments may have a fee that varies depending on the payment processor. Peoples Gas shows you the fee before you confirm the payment. Mailed checks have no fee, but take longer to process.

Can I pay someone else's Peoples Gas bill?

You can pay online or by phone if you have the account number and the account holder's permission. For security reasons, Peoples Gas may ask you to verify your relationship to the account. If you are paying by mail, include the account number on the check so the payment reaches the correct account.

What happens if I miss the due date?

Late fees explore if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. You can still pay at any time, and the late fee will be added to your next bill. If you are significantly behind on payments, Peoples Gas may disconnect your service, so contact them as soon as you know you will be late.