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 recurring payments
You can pay your PG&E bill without leaving your home by going to pge.com, logging into your account, and selecting "Pay My Bill" from the menu. The payment posts within one business day if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer — though credit card payments carry a convenience fee of roughly 2.5 percent, while debit and bank transfers do not.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can call PG&E's automated payment line at 1-800-743-5000 to pay by phone with a debit card or bank account. This also takes about one business day to process. Both methods let you see your account balance and due date before you confirm the payment.
Key Takeaways
- Paying online at pge.com or through the PG&E mobile app avoids fees if you use a debit card or bank account, and the payment posts within one business day.
- Credit card payments through PG&E's website or phone line charge a convenience fee of roughly 2.5 percent, so use debit or bank transfer when possible.
- Setting up automatic payments from your bank account ensures you never miss a due date and requires only a few minutes of setup in your account settings.
- Mailing a check takes 7 to 10 days to reach PG&E, so send it at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late payment.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, contact PG&E before the due date to discuss payment plans or hardship programs rather than letting the bill go unpaid.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
The easiest way to stay on top of your bill is to set up automatic payments directly from your bank account. Log into your PG&E account at pge.com, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "Enroll in AutoPay." You can choose to pay the full amount due each month or a fixed amount you set yourself. The payment comes out on the due date shown on your bill, and you can change or cancel the arrangement anytime.
Automatic payments from a bank account carry no fee and remove the risk of forgetting to pay. If your bill amount varies significantly month to month, you can set it to pay a fixed amount and then pay any remaining balance manually when the bill arrives. This gives you flexibility while still protecting against late payments.
Paying by mail if you prefer to send a check
If you want to pay by check or money order, write your account number on the check and mail it to the address shown on your bill. PG&E's mailing address varies by region, so always use the one printed on your statement rather than looking it up online. Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to make sure it reaches PG&E on time.
Include only the check or money order — do not send cash. If you are paying multiple bills or have questions about your account, include a separate note with your account number so PG&E can match the payment to the right account. Keep a copy of your check or a photo of the front and back for your records.
Understanding payment deadlines and late fees
Your due date appears on the front of your bill, usually 20 to 30 days after the bill is issued. If you do not pay by that date, PG&E charges a late fee of 1.5 percent of the unpaid balance. After 30 days past due, your service may be disconnected without further notice, though PG&E must send you a disconnection warning at least 10 days before they shut off your gas or electricity.
If you are having trouble paying, do not wait until the bill is overdue. Contact PG&E's customer service at 1-800-743-5000 to discuss a payment plan or to learn about hardship programs that may lower your bill. Many customers may have access to for discounts or extended payment terms based on income, and asking before you fall behind gives you more options.
What to do if your payment does not go through
If you receive a notice that your payment failed, the most common reasons are an incorrect account number, expired card, or insufficient funds in your bank account. Log back into your PG&E account and check that your payment method information is current. If you paid by bank transfer, confirm that your bank did not block the transaction — some banks flag utility payments as unusual activity.
If the payment was rejected and your bill is now overdue, pay again immediately using a different method. Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to confirm the payment went through and to ask whether the late fee can be waived given the circumstances. Keeping a record of the failed payment attempt (a screenshot or email confirmation) helps if you need to dispute the late fee later.
Paying a bill for someone else's account
If you want to pay someone else's PG&E bill, you have two options. The account holder can authorize you to make payments by adding you as an authorized user through their account settings at pge.com. Once authorized, you can log in and pay their bill directly without needing their password.
If the account holder has not authorized you, you can still mail a check to PG&E with the account number written clearly on it. Include a note with the account number and the name on the account so there is no confusion about which bill the payment covers. Do not try to pay online without authorization, as the system will not accept a payment to an account you do not own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PG&E charge a fee to pay online?
No fee applies if you pay with a debit card or bank account transfer. Credit card payments carry a convenience fee of roughly 2.5 percent. Phone payments have the same fee structure as online payments.
How long does it take for my payment to show up on my account?
Payments made online or by phone before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day post within one business day. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and process. Automatic payments post on the due date you select.
What happens if I pay after the due date?
PG&E charges a late fee of 1.5 percent of the unpaid balance. If your bill remains unpaid for 30 days past the due date, your service may be disconnected after you receive a 10-day warning notice.
Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot pay the full amount?
Yes. Contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 before your bill is due to discuss payment plan options. Many customers also may have access to for bill reduction programs based on income, which you can ask about during the same call.
What should I do if I think I was charged a late fee by mistake?
Log into your account at pge.com to review your payment history and confirm when your payment was received. If you believe the fee was applied in error, call customer service at 1-800-743-5000 with your payment records and ask them to review it.