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Level Pay Plan
The Level Pay Plan helps smooth out the ups and downs of your monthly natural gas bill by averaging your annual natural gas use and costs over a 12-month period. You pay an average bill amount each month instead of actual charges. The Level Pay Plan is not a discount program; no savings or lower rates are involved.
To help you better understand the plan and answer any questions you might have, we are including our most frequently asked questions.
- First, we estimate your expected monthly usage and charges, based on your past natural gas use and projected future rates. ·
- The result of this calculation is your beginning monthly Level Pay Amount (also called the Plan Amount), which is the amount you will pay each month for a six-month interval.
- Each month we will also calculate and present to you your actual charges for gas service. The difference between actual charges and Plan Amounts billed is known as the “variance.”
- After six months on the Level Pay Plan, we will re-evaluate your Plan Amount which may be adjusted up or down to minimize the accumulation of a variance balance on your account.
- Please keep in mind that you may pay less than you actually use in the winter, pay more than you actually use in the summer, and accumulating a small variance is normal. You'll be notified of an adjustment to your Level Pay Amount on your natural gas bill one month prior to the change. Be sure to read your bill closely each month. If further adjustment is necessary, you'll be sent a letter of notification.
- The Level Pay amount is adjusted every six months. In some instances, further adjustment to your Level Pay Amount may be necessary.
- One month prior to the change, you will be notified of an adjustment to your Level Pay Amount on your natural gas bill. Be sure to read your bill closely each month. In the event that further adjustment is necessary, you will be notified in writing.
- At the end of each six-month interval, your Level Pay Plan Amount is reviewed and may be adjusted up or down to minimize the accumulation of a variance on your account.
- This adjustment includes not only a re-evaluation of your expected monthly charges as described above, but also includes an amortization of a portion of your accumulated variance.
- Your new Plan Amount will be effective beginning with the first month of your new six-month interval.
- Your variance is the difference between your actual charges and the amount you were billed on the Level Pay Plan — called Plan Amounts Billed.
- Your “Beginning Variance” is the Ending Variance from your previous month’s bill.
- Your “Ending Variance” includes the current actual charges, minus the current Plan Amount.
- If your actual charges are greater than your Plan Amount, the Ending Variance balance will increase. Or, if your actual charges are less than the Plan Amount, your Ending Variance balance will decrease.
- A variance is normal for all accounts. During the spring and summer months, you are accumulating a credit variance that will help to pay for your winter bills. A debit variance accumulated during the winter will be offset by the credit variance you will accumulate on your summer bills. However, your variance will most likely never be zero.
For example, if you just signed up for the Level Pay Program beginning in December with a Plan Amount of $60, then for the period December through May, we will bill you for your Plan Amount of $60. We will also present your actual charges during each of those months. If the Actual Charges for December are $85, then your accumulated variance after your December bill is $25 ($85 - $60). If your Actual Charges for January are $95, then your accumulated variance after your January bill will be $35. Therefore, your ending variance for December and January is $60 (25+35).
- A variance is normal for all accounts. During the spring and summer months, you are accumulating a credit variance which will help to pay for your winter bills. A debit variance accumulated during the winter will be offset by the credit variance you will accumulate on your summer bills. However, your variance will most likely never be zero.
- Your Level Pay Amount must be paid in full monthly, by the due date of the bill. Otherwise, you may be removed from the Level Pay Plan. If, for some reason, you are unable to make your monthly payment, please call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. The unpaid amounts will be shown as a previous balance on your future bills.
- If you're removed from the plan for failure to pay your Level Pay Plan Amount promptly, you need to settle your outstanding balance before re-enrolling. Once that's done you can call us at 1-877-238-0092 to re-enroll. You'll then begin a new six-month Level Pay Plan cycle with a new monthly Level Pay Plan Amount.
- Your account is reconciled at that time by comparing your actual gas charges to what you've already paid on the Level Pay Plan. You will owe the current month’s Plan Amount plus the Ending Variance Amount and any unpaid previous balances. You may cancel this service at any time by calling 1-800-427-2200. Your next month’s bill will show either a balance due or a credit on your account, depending on whether your actual charges exceed what you’ve already paid on the plan. Once you cancel the Level Pay Plan, the balance on your account is due and payable within 19 days.
- If you are removed from the Level Pay Plan for failure to pay your Level Pay Plan Amount promptly, or no longer wanted to participate, you must settle any outstanding balance before re-enrolling. Once your outstanding balance is paid in full, call us at 1-800-427-2200 to re-enroll. You will begin a new six-month Level Pay Plan cycle with a new monthly Level Pay Plan Amount.
- Qualifying customers can complete the enrollment form on My Account. If approved, after your request has been processed, you will receive a message confirming your enrollment.
- Apply for Third-Party Bill Notification.
- All accounts that use less than 3,000 therms per year. This includes Residential, Commercial & Industrial, and/or GME, and GMC (master Metered and Central Facility) accounts. Please note that some restrictions may apply.
- You can cancel this service at any time by calling 1-877-238-0092.
- When you cancel the Level Pay Plan, we'll reconcile what you paid with what you've actually used. Your next month's bill will show either a balance due or a credit on your account, depending on whether your actual charges exceed what you've already paid on the plan. Once you cancel the Level Pay Plan, the balance on your account is due and payable within 19 days.