Where your payment goes when you send it to PG&E

When you pay your PG&E bill, the money goes into a PG&E customer account that is matched to your service address and meter number. PG&E applies the payment to any past-due balance first, then to the current bill amount. If you overpay, the excess sits as a credit on your account and reduces what you owe on your next bill.

The timing of when PG&E actually receives and records your payment depends on which method you use. A check mailed to their payment address takes five to seven business days to arrive and be processed. An online payment or automatic bank transfer typically posts within one business day. A payment made in person at a PG&E office or authorized payment location is recorded when ready.

PG&E does not charge a fee for most payment methods, but some third-party payment processors do. If you pay through a credit card or debit card via a third-party service, you may see a convenience fee added to your payment. Paying directly through PG&E's website, by phone, or by mail avoids these extra charges.

Key Takeaways

  • PG&E matches your payment to your account using your service address or account number, so include that information with every payment.
  • Mailed checks take five to seven business days to post, while online payments and automatic transfers usually post within one business day.
  • PG&E applies payments to past-due amounts first, then to your current bill, and any overpayment becomes a credit on your next bill.
  • Paying directly through PG&E's website, phone line, or mail avoids third-party convenience fees that can add 2 to 3 percent to your payment.

Payment methods PG&E accepts

PG&E offers five main ways to pay your bill. You can pay online through their website at pge.com using a bank account, debit card, or credit card. You can set up automatic payments so the same amount withdraws from your bank account on the same day each month. You can call PG&E's automated phone line at 1-800-743-5000 and pay with a debit or credit card without speaking to anyone.

You can also mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check so PG&E can match it to your account. If you prefer to pay in person, PG&E has payment centers in some areas, and you can also pay at authorized retailers like grocery stores or check-cashing services — ask whether they charge a fee for this service.

The fastest way to pay is online or by phone, since both post within one business day. Automatic payments are the most reliable if you want to avoid late fees, because the payment goes out on a schedule you set and you do not have to remember to pay each month. Mailed payments are the slowest but require no online access or phone call.

How to set up automatic payments from your bank account

Log into your PG&E account on their website and select "Billing & Payment" from the menu. Click "Manage Auto Pay" and choose the bank account you want to use. Enter your routing number and account number — you can find both at the bottom left of any check, or call your bank to ask.

Select the day of the month you want the payment to come out. PG&E recommends choosing a date after you receive your paycheck so the money is in your account. You can set the payment to be the full bill amount, or a fixed dollar amount if you prefer to pay the same thing every month. Confirm the setup, and the first payment will process on the date you chose.

You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account. If you need to stop a payment before it processes, contact PG&E at least three business days before the scheduled date. Automatic payments from a bank account do not incur a convenience fee, making this the cheapest way to pay if you have online access.

What happens if your payment is late

PG&E considers a payment late if it is not received by the due date printed on your bill. If your payment arrives after that date, PG&E may charge a late fee. The late fee is typically a percentage of your bill amount, though the exact percentage varies. You can still avoid the late fee if you contact PG&E before the due date and explain that your payment is on the way.

If your bill remains unpaid for 30 days past the due date, PG&E will send you a disconnection notice. This notice gives you a important date to pay or set up a payment plan before they shut off your service. If you cannot pay the full amount, you can contact PG&E to discuss a payment arrangement or ask about programs that may help with your bill.

If your service is disconnected, PG&E charges a reconnection fee in addition to your unpaid balance. The reconnection fee is separate from your bill amount. To avoid disconnection, pay as soon as you can or contact PG&E to work out a plan before the important date on the notice.

Tracking your payment and getting a receipt

When you pay online or by phone, PG&E gives you a confirmation number when ready. Write down this number or take a screenshot — it serves as your receipt and proof that you sent the payment. You can also log into your PG&E account online and view your payment history, which shows every payment you have made and when it posted.

If you mail a check, keep a copy of the check or write down the check number and amount. Your bank will show the payment as cleared once PG&E deposits it, usually within five to seven business days. If you need to verify that a mailed payment arrived, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 and provide your account number and the check amount.

Your PG&E bill itself is also a receipt. It shows your previous balance, the current charges, any payments you made since the last bill, and your new balance due. If you lose your bill, you can view it online through your account or ask PG&E to send you a copy.

Paying a bill for someone else's account

You can pay someone else's PG&E bill if you have their account number or service address. When you pay online or by phone, enter their account number instead of your own. The payment will be applied to their account, not yours. You do not need permission from PG&E to pay another person's bill, but the account holder should know you are doing so to avoid confusion about who paid what.

If you are paying by mail, write the account number clearly on the check and mail it to the address on their bill. If you are paying in person at a PG&E office or authorized retailer, tell them the account number you are paying for. Keep your receipt or confirmation number in case there is a question about which account the payment went to.

If you regularly pay someone else's bill, you can ask PG&E to set up a third-party authorization. This allows you to view the account online and make payments without having to call each time. Contact PG&E to request this arrangement and provide the account holder's permission.

What to do if your payment was not received or posted

If you paid online or by phone and received a confirmation number, your payment was sent. It may not have posted to your account yet if you paid within the last business day, but it will post soon. Check your account online a few days later to confirm it shows up. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still does not appear, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 with your confirmation number.

If you mailed a check and it has been more than seven business days, call PG&E with the check number and amount. They can search their records to see if it arrived. If the check was lost in the mail, PG&E can tell you whether to stop payment on the original check and send a new one, or whether they have already received and deposited it.

If you set up automatic payments and a payment did not go through, check your bank account to see if the withdrawal failed. This usually happens if there was not enough money in the account on the scheduled date. Contact your bank to confirm, then contact PG&E to arrange a new payment date or to discuss a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my PG&E bill with a credit card without paying a fee?

PG&E does not charge a fee for credit card payments made through their website or phone line. However, some third-party payment processors that accept credit cards do charge a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent. To avoid the fee, pay directly through pge.com or call 1-800-743-5000.

What is the difference between the due date and the payment date?

The due date is the important date by which PG&E must receive your payment to avoid a late fee. The payment date is when the money actually leaves your bank account or when PG&E records it. For mailed checks, these can be several days apart, so mail your payment at least a week before the due date.

Can I split my bill payment between two different accounts?

No, each payment must go to one account. If you have two PG&E accounts, you need to make a separate payment for each one. You can do this online in one session by logging out and logging back in with the other account number, or by making two phone calls.

What happens to my payment if I move and change my service address?

If you have already paid your bill at your old address, that payment stays on that account. When you move, PG&E closes your old account and opens a new one at your new address. Make sure to pay any remaining balance on the old account before you move, and set up payments for your new account after your service starts.

Can I pay my PG&E bill in cash?

PG&E does not accept cash payments directly, but some authorized retailers and payment centers may accept cash and then send the payment to PG&E on your behalf. Call ahead to confirm that the location accepts cash and ask whether they charge a fee for this service.