Online tools and assistance programs can help customers struggling with high bills due to the cost of natural gas

With winter in full swing, customers may be using more energy to heat their homes as temperatures drop. At the same time, the prices that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) pays for the natural gas it delivers to its customers have been rising this year, driven by higher demand and tighter supplies on the West Coast.

While customers may see their energy bills rise, PG&E does not control the market prices it pays for gas and electricity, nor does PG&E mark up the cost of energy it purchases on behalf of its customers.

PG&E provides additional information about higher gas bills on its Currents website. The site also has information about the California Climate Credit. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved distributing the credit as soon as possible, instead of the annual April timeframe, to help offset higher than normal bills. For natural gas residential customers, the credit will be $52.78, and for electric residential customers, the credit will be $38.39. Customers who receive both services will receive a total credit of $91.17.

Here are tools that customers can use now to manage winter bills:

• Make sure you're on the right rate plan: View your personalized Rate Plan Comparison to find the best rate plan for how your household uses energy.

• Keep bills predictable: Level out monthly payments and offset high seasonal bills with Budget Billing, a free tool that averages your annual energy costs to help manage monthly bills.

• Flexible payment arrangements: Extend your bill due date or make a payment arrangement. Access your online account for details.

Customers struggling to pay their bills can learn more about the following programs:

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) saves 20% or more each month on energy bills for income-qualified customers.

• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (FERA) offers a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified customers with three or more people in the household.

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers up to $1,000to pay eligible household energy costs.

• Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) Program offers one-time financial assistance to qualified customers with past-due bills.

Customers may qualify for several programs at once and can start applying or enrolling now.