How to Pay Your PG&E Bill Online, by Phone, or Mail

The fastest way to pay PG&E is through their website or mobile app, where you can set up a one-time payment or automatic monthly payments

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) serves northern and central California. You can pay your bill the same day you receive it, or set up automatic payments so the amount comes out of your bank account on a date you choose. The company does not charge a fee for online or automatic payments, but does charge a small fee if you pay by phone with a representative or use a third-party payment service.

Your bill shows a due date, usually 21 days after the bill date. Paying before that date keeps your account current. If you miss the due date, PG&E adds a late charge and may eventually shut off your service. The methods below let you pay at any time, even after hours.

Key Takeaways

• PG&E's website and mobile app have no fees and let you pay when ready or schedule a payment for a future date.
• Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date and work with a checking account, savings account, or debit card.
• Paying by phone with a PG&E representative costs a fee, but paying through their automated phone system does not.
• Mail and in-person payments at authorized retailers take longer to process, so send them at least a week before your due date.
• If your service is shut off for non-payment, you must pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee to restore power.

Paying online through the PG&E website or app

Go to pge.com and log into your account, or read the PG&E mobile app on your phone. Both let you see your current bill, due date, and account balance. Click the "Pay My Bill" button or tab. You will see your bill amount and can choose to pay it in full or in part.

Enter your payment method: a checking account, savings account, or debit card. The payment posts when ready if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

If you do not have a PG&E online account yet, create one at pge.com using your account number (on your bill) and service address. You can also call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to set up an account by phone.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

Automatic payments deduct your bill amount from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You set this up once, and it continues until you cancel it. PG&E calls this "AutoPay." To enroll, log into your account on pge.com or the mobile app, go to "Billing and Payment," and select "Enroll in AutoPay."

You can use a checking account, savings account, or debit card. PG&E will deduct the full amount due on the date you pick — usually a few days before the due date. If your bill amount changes month to month (which it does for most customers), the new amount will be deducted automatically. You can change or cancel AutoPay anytime through your account.

Automatic payments remove the chance of missing a due date and late charges. If you are on a fixed income or budget, you can also set up a "Budget Billing" plan, which averages your annual costs and charges you the same amount each month. Ask PG&E about this option when you enroll in AutoPay.

Paying by phone

PG&E offers two phone payment methods: automated and with a representative. The automated system is free and available 24/7. Call 1-800-743-5000, follow the prompts, and enter your account number and payment amount. You will need a checking account, savings account, or debit card ready. You receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.

If you speak with a PG&E representative instead of using the automated system, the company charges a fee (the amount varies). Representatives are available during business hours and can answer questions about your bill or account. If you only need to make a payment, use the automated system to avoid the fee.

Paying by mail or at a retail location

You can mail a check or money order to the address on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed, so send it at least a week before your due date to avoid a late charge.

PG&E also accepts payments at authorized retailers, including some grocery stores and payment centers. Look for the "Pay Here" sign or call 1-800-743-5000 to find a location near you. You can pay with cash, check, or debit card. In-person payments are processed the same day, but the funds may not show in your account until the next business day.

What happens if you miss the due date

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, PG&E adds a late charge to your next bill. The charge is a percentage of your unpaid balance. If you are more than 30 days late, PG&E may send a disconnection notice, warning that your service will be shut off on a specific date if you do not pay.

If your service is shut off, you must pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee to restore power. The reconnection fee varies but is typically $75 to $150. To avoid this, contact PG&E as soon as you know you will be late. They may offer a payment plan that lets you pay over several months instead of all at once.

Avoiding payment scams

Scammers sometimes call or text claiming to be PG&E and threatening to shut off your service unless you pay when ready. PG&E will never demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. If someone contacts you this way, hang up and call PG&E directly at 1-800-743-5000 to verify whether your account is actually past due.

Always pay through pge.com, the official PG&E mobile app, or by calling the number on your bill. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or texts, even if they look official. If you are unsure whether a call or message is real, contact PG&E directly using a phone number you find yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my PG&E bill with a credit card?

PG&E does not accept credit cards directly on their website or through their automated phone system. You can use a debit card or bank account instead. Some third-party payment services allow credit card payments but charge a fee for this service.

What if I pay online but my bill still shows as unpaid?

Online payments post when ready during business hours but may take until the next business day if you pay after 5 p.m. or on a weekend. Check your account the next day. If the payment still does not show, call 1-800-743-5000 with your confirmation number.

Can I set up automatic payments if I have multiple PG&E accounts?

Yes. Log into each account separately and enroll in AutoPay for each one. The payments will be deducted on the same date each month, or you can choose different dates for each account.

What if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Contact PG&E before the due date and ask about a payment plan. They may let you pay part of the bill now and the rest over the next few months. This stops a late charge and disconnection notice from being issued.

Is there a fee to cancel automatic payments?

No. You can cancel AutoPay anytime through your online account or by calling 1-800-743-5000. The cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will return to making manual payments.