Where and how to pay your PG&E bill
You can pay PG&E through their website at pge.com, by phone at 1-800-743-5000, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest way is online through your PG&E account — you can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic payments from a bank account or debit card. If you pay by phone, a representative can walk you through the process, but you'll pay a convenience fee unless you're calling from a phone registered to your account.
In-person payment at a PG&E payment center or authorized retailer (like some grocery stores and pharmacies) avoids online fees, though you'll need to bring your bill or account number. Mailing a check takes 7 to 10 business days to reach PG&E, so send it early if your due date is coming up. Never mail cash.
If you set up automatic payments, PG&E will deduct the amount from your bank account on your due date each month. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account or by calling customer service.
Key Takeaways
- Paying online through pge.com or by automatic bank transfer avoids convenience fees that phone and third-party payment services charge.
- Your due date appears on your bill — paying after that date triggers a late fee, usually around 1.5% of the amount owed.
- If you can't pay the full amount by the due date, contact PG&E before the deadline to discuss a payment plan or hardship program.
- Automatic payments from a bank account are the most reliable way to avoid missed payments, but you can pause or cancel them at any time.
Understanding your due date and late fees
Your bill's due date is printed near the top, usually 20 to 30 days after the bill is issued. If you pay after that date, PG&E adds a late fee — typically 1.5% of your bill amount. The fee compounds if you remain unpaid; after 60 days overdue, PG&E may suspend service.
If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, PG&E extends it to the next business day. Payments made online or by automatic transfer post immediately on the due date; mailed checks and in-person payments may take a few days to process, so account for that timing.
If you know you'll miss the due date, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 before it arrives. They can discuss a short-term extension, a payment plan, or programs that may reduce your bill if you meet certain income thresholds.
Payment plans and hardship programs
If you can't pay your full bill, PG&E offers payment plans that spread the amount over several months without additional interest. You must contact them before your due date to set one up — waiting until after you're late makes the process harder. A representative will work with you to choose a plan that fits your budget.
PG&E also runs the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which reduces bills for households below a certain income level, and the Family Electric Rate Discount (FERD) program for families with three or more people. Both require you to provide proof of income. There's also the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), which is a one-time payment toward your bill if you meet income and other requirements.
To explore these programs, call 1-800-743-5000 or visit pge.com and search for "assistance programs." You can also contact your local community action agency, which can walk you through the process.
What happens if you don't pay
Late fees begin immediately after your due date. After 16 days overdue, PG&E sends a notice warning that service may be disconnected. After 60 days unpaid, they can shut off your gas or electricity without further notice, though they must attempt to contact you first.
Once service is disconnected, you'll owe the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee (usually $75 to $150) before power or gas is restored. Reconnection can take 24 to 48 hours after payment. If you're facing disconnection, call PG&E immediately — they may delay it if you're working on a payment plan or have a pending hardship application.
A disconnection also appears on your credit report and can affect your ability to open new utility accounts or get credit elsewhere. Avoiding that outcome is worth calling early, even if you can only pay part of the bill.
Setting up automatic payments safely
Automatic payments from a bank account are the safest way to avoid missed due dates. Log into your PG&E account, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "Enroll in AutoPay." You'll provide your bank routing and account number. PG&E will deduct the full bill amount on your due date each month.
You can pause or cancel AutoPay anytime through your account without penalty. If your bill amount changes significantly (which it does seasonally), you can adjust the payment amount or switch to a different payment method. If your bank account changes, update it in your PG&E account to prevent failed payments.
Some people worry about giving their bank information online. PG&E uses encryption to protect account details, and your bank can dispute any unauthorized charges. If a payment fails because of insufficient funds or a closed account, PG&E will notify you and you can pay manually before a late fee applies.
Paying from outside California or without a bank account
If you live outside California, you can still pay online or by phone using a debit card, credit card, or prepaid card. Phone payments incur a convenience fee (usually $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the amount), but online payments through pge.com do not. Some credit card companies charge a cash advance fee if you use a credit card, so check with your card issuer first.
If you don't have a bank account, you can pay in person at a PG&E payment center or authorized retailer with cash or a debit card, or by phone with a prepaid card. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to pay on your behalf if you give them your account number and authorization.
Reading your bill to confirm the amount
Before you pay, check that the amount matches what you expect. Your bill shows your account number, service address, meter number, usage for the billing period, and the total amount due. If you're on a budget billing plan, the amount may be the same each month; if not, it varies with your usage and the season.
Look for any adjustments or credits — these might be from a previous overpayment, a rate change, or a program discount. If the bill looks wrong (usage is much higher than usual, or the amount is drastically different), contact PG&E before paying to ask about it. They can explain the charges or investigate if there's an error.
Keep a copy of your bill and payment confirmation for your records. If you pay online, print or save the confirmation page. If you mail a check, keep a photo of the canceled check or a receipt from the post office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my PG&E bill with a credit card online without a fee?
No. PG&E charges a convenience fee for credit card payments online (usually 2% to 3% of the bill). Debit cards and bank transfers have no fee. If you want to use a credit card and earn rewards, weigh the fee against the reward value — it's usually not worth it.
What if I pay online but my payment doesn't show up on my account?
Online payments typically post within one business day. If it's been longer, log into your account and check the payment history to confirm it was processed. If you don't see it, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 with your confirmation number. Do not pay again until you've confirmed the first payment didn't go through.
Can I set up automatic payments for only part of my bill?
No. AutoPay deducts the full bill amount each month. If you want to pay a fixed amount toward your bill and handle the rest separately, you'll need to make manual payments instead. Call PG&E if you want to discuss a custom payment arrangement.
What if I'm on a fixed income and my bill keeps rising?
Contact PG&E about the CARE or FERD programs, which reduce bills based on household income and size. You can also ask about budget billing, which spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months so your payment is predictable. Both require a phone call or a visit to pge.com to start.
Do I have to pay the full bill if I disagree with the charges?
You should still pay by the due date to avoid late fees and disconnection. If you believe there's an error, contact PG&E to dispute it — they can investigate without you being in arrears. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, they'll credit your account or refund the difference.