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

PG&E bill payment methods and where to send your money

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers several ways to pay your bill, and the fastest route depends on whether you want to pay right now or set up automatic payments. You can pay online through your PG&E account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank withdrawal. Each method has a different processing time, so if your bill is due soon, online payment or phone payment reaches PG&E the same day you submit it.

The online method is the most common because you can see your bill details while you pay, and you do not need to wait for a paper bill to arrive. If you prefer not to use the internet, phone payment works just as quickly. Mail takes seven to ten business days to reach PG&E, so use it only if your due date is more than two weeks away.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through your PG&E account or the PG&E website processes the same day you submit it and requires your account number.
• Phone payment through the automated system or a representative also processes the same day and works if you do not have internet access.
• Mail payment takes seven to ten business days, so you must mail your check well before your due date to avoid a late fee.
• Automatic bank withdrawal (autopay) removes the need to remember to pay each month and can be set up through your online account.
• PG&E does not charge a fee for online, phone, or mail payment, but third-party payment services may charge a convenience fee.

Paying online through your PG&E account

Log in to your account at pge.com using your username and password, or create an account if you do not have one yet. Once you are logged in, look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" button, usually visible on the main dashboard. You will see your current bill amount, due date, and account number on this page.

Enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay the full balance or a partial amount), then choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you use a credit card, PG&E may charge a convenience fee of around 2.5 percent, though this varies by card type and processor. Debit card and bank account payments typically have no fee. Review the payment details, confirm the transaction, and you will receive a confirmation number when ready.

The payment posts to your account the same day. If you pay after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day, it may not show as received until the next business day, but PG&E counts it as on-time if submitted before the due date.

Paying by phone

Call PG&E's automated payment line at 1-800-743-5000. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and either a debit card or bank account information. The automated system will walk you through entering your payment amount and confirming your payment method. The entire process takes about five minutes.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can also call the same number and select the option to speak with someone. A representative can answer questions about your bill or account before you pay, which is useful if you are unsure whether you should pay the full amount or if you have a dispute about a charge.

Phone payments process the same day you call, with the same timing rules as online payment: calls made after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day may not show as received until the next business day.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to PG&E and include your account number on the check. Place the check in an envelope with the payment stub from your bill (the stub has the correct mailing address printed on it). Do not send cash through the mail.

Mail your payment to the address shown on your bill stub. PG&E's processing center is typically in a different city than your local office, so check the stub for the exact address. Mail takes seven to ten business days to arrive, so you must mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.

If your due date is fewer than fourteen days away, do not use mail. Use online or phone payment instead to may support PG&E receives your payment on time.

Setting up automatic payments (autopay)

Automatic payment removes the need to remember to pay each month and ensures your bill is paid on time every time. Log in to your PG&E account, go to "Billing and Payment," and select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment." Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month (usually the due date or a few days before), and select your payment method: bank account or debit card.

You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account. If you want to skip a payment in a particular month, you can pause autopay temporarily and resume it the following month. PG&E will send you an email confirmation each time a payment is processed, so you can track that your autopay is working.

Autopay has no fee when you use a bank account. Credit card autopay may carry a convenience fee, just as one-time credit card payments do.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you cannot pay the full amount by your due date, contact PG&E before the due date to discuss your options. You can set up a payment plan to pay your balance over several months, or you may be able to defer payment if you are experiencing financial hardship. PG&E has programs for customers with low income or those facing temporary hardship.

Paying even a partial amount by the due date shows good faith and may help you avoid a late fee or service disconnection. Call 1-800-743-5000 to speak with a representative about payment plans or hardship programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my PG&E bill online?

PG&E does not charge a fee for online payment if you pay from a bank account or debit card. If you use a credit card, a convenience fee of around 2.5 percent applies, though the exact amount depends on your card type and the payment processor. You can see the fee amount before you confirm the payment.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Online and phone payments show a confirmation number when ready after you submit them. You can also log into your account and check your payment history, which updates within a few hours. Mail payments take longer to appear in your account history, usually five to seven business days after they arrive at PG&E's processing center.

Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill?

Yes, if you have the account number and the account holder's permission. You can pay online or by phone using the account number, and the payment will be applied to that account. The account holder does not need to be present or authorize the payment at the time you make it, but you should confirm with them first to avoid confusion.

What happens if I pay after my due date?

PG&E typically charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The late fee is usually around 1.5 percent of your bill amount. If you are more than 30 days late, PG&E may disconnect your service. Contact PG&E when ready if you know you will be late so you can discuss payment options.

Can I set up autopay for a different amount each month?

No, autopay pays the same amount each month. If your bill varies significantly, you can set autopay to pay a fixed amount toward your balance and then pay any remaining amount manually, or you can turn off autopay and pay manually each month. You can also change your autopay amount at any time through your account.