Where to send your payment in Sacramento County

Sacramento County does not run the electric and gas utilities themselves. Instead, two main providers serve the area: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) handles electricity, and PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) handles both gas and electricity depending on your address. Your bill will show which company serves you.

Payment methods differ between the two. SMUD accepts payments online through their website, by phone at 1-888-742-7683, by mail to the address printed on your bill, or in person at SMUD payment centers. PG&E accepts online payments through their website, by phone at 1-800-743-5000, by mail, or through automatic bank transfers. Both utilities also accept payments through third-party services like Western Union or MoneyGram if you prefer to pay in cash at a retail location.

Check your bill's front page to confirm which utility you use, since the payment address and phone number are printed there. Paying the wrong company wastes time and delays your account credit.

Key Takeaways

  • SMUD provides electricity in most of Sacramento County, while PG&E serves some areas with both gas and electricity — your bill shows which one you use.
  • Both utilities offer online payment, phone payment, mail payment, and automatic bank transfers, so you can choose the method that fits your routine.
  • Payment deadlines are usually 15 to 20 days from the bill date, and late fees start after that date, so marking your calendar prevents surprises.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact your utility directly to ask about payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls behind.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates

Both SMUD and PG&E let you set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account. This removes the risk of forgetting a due date and incurring late fees. To set this up, log into your online account with either utility, look for the "autopay" or "automatic payment" section, and enter your bank routing number and account number.

You can choose to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed amount if you prefer. If you choose a fixed amount, be aware that it may not cover the entire bill in months when usage is higher, so you will still owe the difference. Most people set autopay to the full bill amount so there are no surprises.

You can cancel or change your autopay settings at any time through your online account. If your bank account changes, update it in your utility account right away to prevent payment failures.

Understanding your bill's due date and late payment fees

Your utility bill shows a specific due date, usually 15 to 20 days after the bill date. If payment does not arrive by that date, the utility adds a late fee. SMUD typically charges a late fee of 1.5% of the unpaid balance, while PG&E charges a similar percentage. These fees compound if the bill remains unpaid for multiple billing cycles.

If you miss the due date, pay as soon as you can. The longer an account stays unpaid, the higher the total amount owed becomes. Some utilities will also disconnect service if an account falls 60 or more days behind, though they are required to send a disconnection notice first.

If you know you will miss a due date, call your utility before the deadline. Both SMUD and PG&E have hardship programs and payment plans for customers facing temporary financial difficulty. These programs may pause late fees or spread your balance over several months.

Paying online through SMUD or PG&E accounts

To pay online, visit SMUD's website (smud.org) or PG&E's website (pge.com) and log into your account. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one by entering your account number (found on your bill) and other identifying information. Once logged in, look for "Pay My Bill" or a similar button.

You will be asked to enter a payment amount and choose a payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Credit card payments may include a processing fee, while bank transfers are usually free. The system will show you the payment date — same-day payment is often available if you pay before a certain time in the afternoon.

Keep a record of your confirmation number after paying. If there is ever a dispute about whether your payment was received, this number proves you sent it. Your online account will also show a payment history, so you can check past payments anytime.

Paying by mail or phone if you prefer not to go online

If you do not use online banking or prefer to pay by mail, write a check or money order and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check so the payment is credited to the right account. Mail typically takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so send it at least a week before the due date to avoid late fees.

To pay by phone, call SMUD at 1-888-742-7683 or PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Have your account number and a debit or credit card ready. The phone representative will process the payment immediately and give you a confirmation number. Phone payments are free and take just a few minutes.

Both utilities also accept in-person payments at their local offices or authorized payment centers. SMUD has payment centers throughout Sacramento County; PG&E's payment locations vary by area. Call your utility to find the nearest location and confirm their hours before you go.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you face a month when you cannot pay the full amount, contact your utility immediately rather than waiting for a disconnection notice. SMUD and PG&E both offer payment plans that let you spread an unpaid balance over several months. You will still owe the full amount, but the monthly installments are smaller and more manageable.

Both utilities also have low-income assistance programs. SMUD's program is called SMUD Care, and PG&E's is called CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy). These programs reduce your monthly bill by 15% to 35% if your household income falls below a certain threshold. You will need to provide proof of income to enroll.

If you are facing a temporary hardship — job loss, medical emergency, or unexpected expense — ask about a temporary payment deferral. Some utilities will pause disconnection for a set period while you work out a plan. The key is to call before your account falls behind, not after.

Checking your payment history and account balance

Your online account shows your current balance, due date, and a history of all payments you have made. Log in anytime to check whether a recent payment has been posted. If you paid online or by phone, the payment usually shows within one business day. If you mailed a check, allow 5 to 7 business days for it to arrive and post to your account.

If a payment you made is not showing after the expected time, contact your utility's customer service. Have your confirmation number ready if you paid online or by phone. If you mailed a check, provide the check number and the date you mailed it. The utility can trace the payment and confirm whether it arrived.

You can also request a paper bill if you prefer not to use online accounts. Both SMUD and PG&E will mail you a bill each month. Paper bills take longer to arrive than email bills, so allow extra time before the due date if you choose this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I pay late?

A late fee (usually 1.5% of your unpaid balance) is added to your bill. If your account stays unpaid for 60 or more days, the utility will send a disconnection notice. You will have a grace period to pay before service is shut off, but the longer you wait, the more fees accumulate. Paying as soon as you can, even if it is late, stops additional fees from growing.

Can I set up a payment plan if I owe a large amount?

Yes. Both SMUD and PG&E offer payment plans for customers with unpaid balances. Call your utility and ask to speak with a representative about spreading your balance over several months. You may need to make a down payment, but the remaining balance is divided into smaller monthly installments.

Is there a fee to pay online or by phone?

Online payments by bank transfer are free. Credit card payments online may include a small processing fee (usually 2% to 3%). Phone payments are free. Paying by mail or in person is also free. Check your utility's website for current fees before you choose a payment method.

How do I know if my payment went through?

If you paid online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation number immediately. Write it down or save the email. Log into your online account the next business day to confirm the payment posted. If you mailed a check, allow 5 to 7 business days and then check your online account or call customer service to verify receipt.

What if I move out of Sacramento County?

Contact your utility at least two weeks before you move to request a final bill and account closure. You will be charged for all usage up to your move-out date. If you overpaid, the utility will issue a refund. If you underpaid, you will receive a final bill to settle the balance.