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Misconceptions

Understanding utility bills can sometimes be confusing, leading to various misconceptions. Here are nine common misunderstandings about the Utility Bill form that you should be aware of:

  1. Utility bills are always the same amount each month.

    This is a common myth. Utility bills can fluctuate based on usage, seasonal changes, and rates set by the utility company.

  2. All utility companies charge the same rates.

    Rates can vary significantly between different utility providers. Local regulations and company policies influence pricing.

  3. You must pay your utility bill on the exact due date.

    While it's important to pay on time to avoid late fees, many utility companies offer a grace period. Check your provider's policy for specifics.

  4. Your utility bill only reflects your usage.

    In addition to usage, bills may include fees for services, taxes, and other charges that contribute to the total amount due.

  5. You cannot dispute charges on your utility bill.

    You absolutely can! If you believe there is an error, contact your utility provider to discuss your concerns and request clarification.

  6. All utility bills are easy to read and understand.

    Many people find utility bills complicated. It's important to take the time to review each section and understand what you're being charged for.

  7. Paying your utility bill late will not affect your credit score.

    While utility companies may not report to credit bureaus, if the account goes to collections, it can negatively impact your credit score.

  8. Utility bills are only for residential customers.

    Both residential and commercial customers receive utility bills. Each type of customer may have different billing structures and rates.

  9. Once you set up your utility service, you don’t need to check your bill.

    Regularly reviewing your utility bill is wise. It helps you catch any discrepancies and understand your usage patterns better.

By debunking these misconceptions, you can better navigate your utility bills and make informed decisions about your energy and water consumption.

File Details

Fact Name Description
Purpose The Utility Bill form is used to request the establishment, modification, or termination of utility services.
Required Information Commonly, the form requires personal identification, service address, and utility account details.
Submission Method Forms can typically be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the utility provider's office.
State-Specific Laws In California, the governing law for utility services is found in the Public Utilities Code, specifically Sections 1001-1006.
Processing Time After submission, processing usually takes 3 to 5 business days, depending on the utility provider.

Key takeaways

Filling out and using the Utility Bill form is a straightforward process, but understanding its key aspects can make it much easier. Here are some important takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Accurate Information is Crucial: Ensure that all personal and account details are filled out correctly. Mistakes can lead to delays in processing your bill.
  • Keep a Copy: After submitting the form, retain a copy for your records. This can be helpful for tracking payments or resolving any discrepancies.
  • Submit on Time: Be mindful of deadlines. Late submissions may result in additional fees or service interruptions.
  • Understand Your Charges: Familiarize yourself with the various charges on your utility bill. Knowing what each fee represents can help you manage your budget more effectively.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Utility Bill form, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

  • Do double-check your account number for accuracy.
  • Do provide your current address as it appears on your utility bill.
  • Do use clear and legible handwriting if filling out a paper form.
  • Do include any required documentation, such as identification or proof of residency.
  • Don't leave any required fields blank; this could delay processing.
  • Don't use abbreviations or shorthand that may cause confusion.

Common mistakes

  1. Incorrect Account Number: Many individuals enter the wrong account number. This can lead to delays in processing your payment or even missed payments.

  2. Missing Personal Information: Some people forget to include essential details such as their name, address, or contact number. This omission can cause confusion and hinder communication.

  3. Improper Payment Amount: Double-check the amount you are paying. Errors in the payment amount can result in underpayment or overpayment, complicating your billing cycle.

  4. Failure to Sign: Skipping the signature line is a common mistake. Without a signature, the form may not be considered valid.

  5. Incorrect Payment Method: Ensure you select the correct payment method. Misunderstanding how to submit your payment can lead to processing issues.

  6. Ignoring Deadlines: Many individuals overlook the payment deadlines. Late submissions can incur additional fees or service interruptions.

What You Should Know About This Form

  1. What is the Utility Bill form?

    The Utility Bill form is a document used to verify the payment of utility services, such as electricity, water, gas, or internet. It serves as proof of residence and can be required for various applications, including rental agreements and government assistance programs.

  2. Who needs to fill out the Utility Bill form?

    Individuals or businesses that need to provide proof of utility payments may need to fill out this form. This includes tenants applying for housing, individuals applying for financial assistance, or anyone needing to confirm their address.

  3. What information is required on the Utility Bill form?

    The form typically requires your name, address, the name of the utility provider, account number, and payment history. Additional details, such as the date of the bill and the total amount due, may also be necessary.

  4. How do I obtain a Utility Bill form?

    You can usually obtain a Utility Bill form from your utility provider's website or customer service department. Some organizations may also provide their own version of the form, which you can download or request directly.

  5. Is there a fee to submit the Utility Bill form?

    Generally, there is no fee to submit the Utility Bill form itself. However, your utility provider may charge for copies of past bills or for processing certain requests. Always check with your provider for any potential fees.

  6. How do I submit the Utility Bill form?

    You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, depending on the requirements of the organization requesting it. Ensure you follow their specific instructions for submission to avoid delays.

  7. What should I do if I made a mistake on the Utility Bill form?

    If you notice an error after submitting the form, contact the organization that received it as soon as possible. They may instruct you to submit a corrected version or provide additional steps to rectify the mistake.

  8. Can I use a Utility Bill form for multiple applications?

    Yes, you can use the same Utility Bill form for multiple applications, provided that the information is still accurate and relevant. Ensure that the form meets the requirements of each application to avoid issues.

  9. How long does it take to process the Utility Bill form?

    The processing time can vary depending on the organization. Some may process it within a few days, while others may take longer. It is advisable to check with the specific organization for their estimated processing times.

  10. What if I do not have a Utility Bill?

    If you do not have a Utility Bill, you may be able to provide alternative proof of residence, such as a lease agreement or bank statement. Check with the requesting organization to see what forms of documentation they accept.

Utility Bill Example

ENERGY STATEMENT

Account No:

1234567890-1

Statement Date:

09/07/2019

www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Due Date:

09/28/2019

 

 

Service For:

SPARKY JOULE 12345 ENERG'( CT

Questions about your bill?

Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Phone: 1-800-743-5000 www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Ways To Pay

www.pge.com/waystopay

Your Account Summary

Amount Due on Previous Statement

$91.57

Payment(s) Received Since Last Statement

-91.57

Previous Unpaid Balance

$0.00

Current PG&E Electric Delivery Charges

$55.66

Silicon Valley Clean Energy Electric Generation Charges

$32.48

I Total Amount Due by 08/28/2019

$88.14

Monthly Billing History

 

 

 

 

Daily Usage Comparison

$200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Year

Last

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ago

Period

Period

$150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.50

12.16

12.67

$100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

■ ■ ■

$50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric kWh / Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$0

-+-----'-r-"-------

"'r�---

'-r"-----'-r-"

-----'-r�---

'-r"-----'-r"----'-r�---

'--r"------'-r"------i

0.12

0.16

0.17

2018 8/07

9/06 10/04 11/06 12/06 1/08 2/06

3/07 4/08

5/09 6/06

7/10 8/07 2019-�c____<=----

=::,__---l

 

 

 

Electric

D

Gas

 

Gas Therms/ Day

Visit www.pge.com/MyEnergy for a detailed bill comparison

Important Messages

The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program provides a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified households of three or more persons. To see if you qualify, please call 1-800-PGE-5000 or apply online at www.pge.com/fera.

El Programa FERA ofrece ahorros mensuales solo en las facturas de electricidad a hogares de ingresos econ6micos bajos y medianos con tres o mas personas. Para determinar si califica, por favor llame al 1-800-PGE-5000 o puede aplicar a traves de nuestra pagina web www.pge.com/fera.

Continued on page 6

Please return this portion with your payment. No staples or paper clips. Do not fold. Thank you.

®

Account Number:

Due Date:

Total Amount Due:

Amount Enclosed:

123456789-1

09/28/2019

$88.14

$

PG&E

BOX 997300

SACRAMENTO, CA 95899-7300

Page 1 of 6

ENERGY STATEMENT

Account No:

1234567890-1

Statement Date:

09/07/2019

www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Due Date:

09/28/2019

 

 

Important Phone Numbers - Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Customer Service (All Languages; Relay Calls Accepted) 1-800-743-5000

TTY 7-1-1

Servicio al Cliente en Espanol (Spanish) -��.P�IHf (Chinese)

1-800-660-6789

Djch VI) khach tieng Vi�t (Vietnamese)

1-800-298-8438

1-800-893-9555

Business Customer Service

1-800-468-4743

Rules and rates

You may be eligible for a lower rate. To learn more about optional rates or view a complete list of rules and rates, visit www.pge.com or call 1-800-743-5000.

If you believe there is an error on your bill, please call 1-800-743-5000 to speak with a representative. If you are not satisfied with our response, contact the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB), 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2003, San Francisco, CA 94102, 1-800-649-7570 or 7-1-1 (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday) or by visiting www.cpuc.ca.gov/complaints/.

To avoid having service turned off while you wait for the outcome of a complaint to the CPUC specifically regarding the accuracy of your bill, please contact CAB for assistance. If your case meets the eligibility criteria, CAB will provide you with instructions on how to mail a check or money order to be impounded pending resolution of your case. You must continue to pay your current charges while your complaint is under review to keep your service turned on.

If you are not able to pay your bill, call PG&E to discuss how we can help. You may qualify for reduced rates under PG&E's CARE program or other special programs and agencies may be available to assist you. You may qualify for PG&E's Energy Savings Assistance Program which is an energy efficiency program for income-qualified residential customers.

Important definitions

Rotating outage blocks are subject to change without advance notice due to operational conditions.

Tier 1/Baseline allowance: Some residential rates are given a Tier 1/Baseline allowance - a CPUC approved percentage of average customer usage during summer and winter months. Your Tier 1/Baseline allowance provides for basic needs at an affordable price and encourages conservation. Your allowance is assigned based on the climate where you live, the season and your heat source. As you use more energy, you pay more for usage. Any usage over your baseline allowance will be charged at a higher price.

High Usage: An increased price per kWh whenever electricity usage exceeds four times the Baseline Allowance (Tier 1) in a billing period. This charge does not apply to Time-of-Use rate plans.

DWR bond charge: Recovers the cost of bonds issued by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to purchase power to serve electric customers during the California energy crisis. DWR bond charges are collected on behalf of DWR and do not belong to PG&E.

Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA): Ensures that non-exempt customers under PG&E's GT and ECR rate schedules or who purchase electricity (generation) from non-PG&E suppliers pay their share of generation costs.

Gas Public Purpose Program (PPP) Surcharge. Used to fund state-mandated gas assistance programs for low-income customers, energy efficiency programs, and public-interest research and development.

Visit www.pge.com/billexplanation for more definitions. To view most recent bill inserts including legal or mandated notices, visit www.pge.com/billinserts.

Your Electric Charges Breakdown

Conservation Incentive

-$9.50

Transmission

12.42

Distribution

35.08

Electric Public Purpose Programs

4.71

Nuclear Decommissioning

0.33

DWR Bond Charge

1.91

Competition Transition Charges (CTC)

0.42

Energy Cost Recovery Amount

-0.22

PCIA

10.26

Taxes and Other

0.25

Total Electric Charges

$55.66

"PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. © 2019 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. Please do not mark in box. For system use only.

Update My Information (English Only)

Please allow 1-2 billing cycles for changes to take effect

Account Number: 1234567890-1

Change my mailing address to: ________________

City _____________ State

ZIP code ____

Primary

Primary

 

Phone#--------- Email --------------

Ways To Pay

Online via web or mobile at www.pge.com/waystopay

By mail: Send your payment along with this payment stub in the envelope provided.

By debit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover: Call

877-704-8470 at any time. (Our independent service provider charges a fee per transaction.)

At a PG&E payment center or local office: To find a payment center or local office near you, please visit www.pge.com or call 800-743-5000. Please bring a copy of your bill with you.

Page 2 of 6

ENERGY STATEMENT

Details of PG&E Electric Delivery Charges

Service For: 12345 ENERGY CT

Service Agreement ID: 111111111

Rate Schedule: E1 X Residential Service

07/02/2019 - 07/31/2019 Your Tier Usagel�-1��-2

Tier 1 Allowance

297.00

kWh

(30 days x 9.9 kWh/day)

Tier 1 Usage

297.000000

kWh

@$0.22376

$66.46

Tier 2 Usage

83.000000

kWh

@$0.28159

23.37

Generation Credit

 

 

 

-44.68

Power Charge Indifference Adjustment

 

 

10.26

Franchise Fee Surcharge

 

 

 

0.25

Total PG&E Electric Delivery Charges

$55.66

Electric Usage This Period: 380.000000 kWh, 30 billing days

30kWh

 

 

 

 

----- =

Average Daily Usage 12.67 I

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

---------

------------�•--·--- - ------

----

--

- -

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

--+------"P.__.,.___.,._.,.__.,.___.,._.,.__.,.___.,._.,.__.,.__.,._.,.__.,.__.,._.,._.,.__.,._.,._.,.__.,._.,._.,.__.,._.,._.,.__.,._.,._.,.____.,.___,

 

7/2

7/5

7/8

7/11

7/14

7/17

7/20

7/23

7/26

7/29

Due Date:

09/28/2019

Service Information

1111111111

Meter#

Current Meter Reading

37,710

Prior Meter Reading

37,330

Total Usage

380.000000 kWh

Baseline Territory

X

Heat Source

B - Not Electric

Serial

G

Rotating Outage Block

50

Visit www.pge.com/MyEnergy for a detailed bill comparison.

Page 3 of 6

 

ENERGY STATEMENT

www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Details of Silicon Valley Clean Energy Electric Generation Charges

08/02/2019 - 08/31/2019 (30 billing days)

Service For: 12345 ENERGY CT

Service Agreement ID: 11111111

07/02/2019 - 07/31/2019

Rate Schedule:

E-1

$32.37

Generation - Total

380.000000 kWh @$0.08519

 

Net Charges 32.37

0. 11

Energy Commission Surcharge

Customers receive clean electricity and save money with SVCE. Please see updated

SVCE electric rates and comparisons to PG&E at www.svcleanenergy.com/rates

Total Silicon Valley Clean Energy

$32.48

Electric Generation Charges

Account No:

1234567890-1

Statement Date:

09/07/2019

Due Date:

09/28/2019

Service Information

 

Total Usage

380.000000 kWh

For questions regarding charges on this page, please contact:

SILICON VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY 1-844-474-7823 customerservice@SVCleanEnergy.org

Additional Messages

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Serving 13 Santa Clara County communities, SVCE is a locally-controlled, public agency providing residents and businesses with electricity from renewable and hydroelectric sources.

Understanding SVCE Charges

PG&E continues to provide and bill for electric delivery. SVCE replaces PG&E generation charges. Under PG&E Electric Delivery Charges, note the Generation Credit. This is what PG&E would have charged for power, and now credits back to you. The Power Charge Indifference Adjustment and Franchise Fee are factored into SVCE rates. Learn more:

https://www.svcleanenergy.orgies/your-bi11/.

SVCE is committed to protecting customer privacy.

Learn about our privacy policy at www.svcleanenergy.org/customer-confidenti ality

Visit www.pge.com/MyEnergy for a detailed bill comparison.

Page 4 of 6

 

ENERGY STATEMENT

www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Details of Gas Charges

08/02/2019 - 08/31/2019 (30 billing days)

Service For: 12345 ENERGY CT

Service Agreement ID: 1111111111

Rate Schedule: G1 X Residential Service

07/02/2019 - 07/31/2019

Your Tier Usagel�-1��-2

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Allowance

17.70 Therms (30 days x

0.59 Therms/day)

 

 

Tier 1 Usage

5.000000Therms @$ 1.28395

$6.42

Gas PPP Surcharge ($0.09047 /Therm)

0.45

Total Gas Charges

 

 

$6.87

Account No: 1234567890-1

Statement Date: 09/07/2019

Due Date: 09/28/2019

Service Information

Meter#

11111111

Current Meter Reading

2,588

Prior Meter Reading

2,583

Difference

5

Multiplier

1.031647

Total Usage

5.000000 Therms

Baseline Territory

X

Serial

G

Gas Procurement Costs ($/Therm)

07/02/2019 - 07/31/2019$0.28462

Gas Usage This Period: 5.000000 Therms, 30 billing days

Therms

 

 

 

 

 

= Average Daily Usage 0. 17 I

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/2

7/5

7/8

7/11

7/14

7/17

7/20

7/23

7/26

7/29

 

Visit www.pge.com/MyEnergy for a detailed bill comparison.

Page 5 of 6

 

ENERGY STATEMENT

Statement Date:

 

09/07/2019

 

Account No:

1234567890-1

www.pge.com/MyEnergy

Due Date:

09/28/2019

 

Important Messages (continued from page 1)

CARE Program. You may qualify for a monthly discount with the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program. To find out more and apply online, visit www.pge.com/care.

Usted podría reunir los requisitos de un descuento mensual con el California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE). Para obtener más información y hacer su solicitud en Internet, visite www.pge.com/espanol/care.

Electric power line safety PG&E cares about your safety. Be aware of your surroundings and keep yourself, tools, equipment and antennas at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. If you see an electric power line fall to the ground, keep yourself and others away. Call 9-1-1.

Call 811 before you dig. A common cause of pipeline accidents is damage from digging. If you plan on doing any digging, such as planting a tree or installing a fence, please call 811 at least two working days before you dig. One free call will notify underground utilities to mark the location of underground lines, helping you to plan a safe project.

Visit www.pge.com/MyEnergy for a detailed bill comparison.

Page 6 of 6