Biller name
Memphis Light Gas and Water
HQ: Memphis, TN
Legal name
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW)
Website
Also known as
MLGW
Deferit is unaffiliated with Memphis Light Gas and Water
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How to pay Payment methods Support Late fees FAQ Split into installments
Memphis Light Gas and Water Account & Billing Support
| Department | Number / Channel | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Customer Care Main | 901-544-6549 | Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Automated payment system | 866-315-0277 | |
| MLGW My Account (online) | mymlgw.mlgw.org | 24/7 |
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/contact ·mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b · current departmental phone numbers and hours of operation.
Memphis Light Gas and Water Bill Types
About Memphis Light Gas and Water
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) is the nation's largest three-service municipal utility, serving more than 440,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. MLGW is a division of the City of Memphis and has been in operation since 1939. It provides electric, natural gas, and water services. MLGW receives its electricity supply from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal agency, and is TVA's largest single customer.
MLGW bills commonly include charges for electric, natural gas, and water services, along with applicable taxes, fees, and any past-due balances. Deferit is unaffiliated with Memphis Light, Gas and Water.
How to Pay Your Memphis Light Gas and Water Bill
- Online: MLGW My Account at mymlgw.mlgw.org · bank account, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or ATM debit card · no fee · same-day if before 3 p.m. CST.
- Phone: automated system at 1-866-315-0277 · same methods as online · no fee.
- Mail: check or money order to P.O. Box 388, Memphis, TN 38145 · include bottom of bill and 16-digit account number.
- In-person: MLGW Community Offices (posts within 30 min) or authorized paying agents throughout Shelby County · some agents charge up to $2 processing fee.
- With Deferit: Pay with Deferit and split the bill into 4 installments, once every two weeks. Deferit pays Memphis Light Gas and Water in full immediately. Learn more →
Payment Methods & Addresses
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b ·mlgw.com/contact.
Late Fees & Payment Policies
| Policy / Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late fee (standard billing) | Amount published in MLGW Schedule of Charges (not stated on mlgw.com) | Late fees apply to standard monthly billing accounts. PowerPay customers are exempt from late fees. |
| Reconnect fee | Amount published in MLGW Schedule of Charges (not stated on mlgw.com) | Applies after service disconnection for non-payment. PowerPay customers are exempt from reconnect fees. |
| Deposit | Amount published in MLGW Schedule of Charges (not stated on mlgw.com) | May be required for new or reconnected accounts. PowerPay customers are exempt from deposit requirements. |
| Authorized agent processing fee | Up to $2 per payment | Charged by some authorized paying agents, not by MLGW. No fee at MLGW Community Offices, online, or by phone IVR. |
| Holiday Bill Break | No cutoff for balances of $399 or less | MLGW defers cutoffs for all residential customers December 15 through January 14 annually. |
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/powerpay ·mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b ·mlgw.com/utilityassistance
Need to split your Memphis Light Gas and Water bill into installments?
MLGW offers several programs for customers experiencing financial hardship. The Extended Payment Plan lets MLGW establish a repayment schedule for a past-due balance, paid alongside the regular monthly bill, for eligible customers. The Net Due Date Program allows retired or fixed-income customers who receive one check per month to delay their net due date until after that check arrives. Third Party Notification lets you designate someone to receive cut-off notices on your behalf. Customers can also apply for Plus-1 assistance (one time per calendar year) through MLGW My Account, the MLGW App, or by calling 901-544-6549 to schedule an appointment at a Community Office. For federal energy assistance, MLGW refers customers to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Shelby County Community Services Agency (shelbycountycsa.org, 901-222-4200). PowerPay, MLGW's prepaid utility option, also lets customers pay off existing past-due balances over time while eliminating future late fees, reconnect fees, and deposit requirements.
If the goal is to pay the bill in full now and split the cost into smaller repayments, Deferit can pay an eligible Memphis Light Gas and Water bill on your behalf and let you repay it in 4 smaller installments.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/utilityassistance ·mlgw.com/powerpay ·mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b.
| Memphis Light Gas and Water Payment Arrangement |  Deferit | |
|---|---|---|
| How to access | Submit an online Payment Arrangement request through MLGW My Account, or call 901-544-6549 to schedule an appointment at a Community Office. Subject to MLGW eligibility review. | Sign up, take a picture of your bill, and Deferit pays it on your behalf. Online or in app. |
| Maximum split | MLGW may establish an Extended Payment Plan for past-due balances, paid in installments alongside the regular monthly bill. A Net Due Date Program is also available for retired or fixed-income customers to delay their due date until after their monthly check arrives. Terms and eligibility are determined by MLGW. | 4 installments, once every two weeks, up to your Deferit balance |
| Eligibility & approval | Decided by Memphis Light Gas and Water at request time based on account status | Monthly Deferit membership, no lock-ins. Cancel anytime. |
| Fees & interest | No fee for payments made online via MLGW My Account, by phone via the automated payment system (1-866-315-0277), or directly at a Community Office teller window. Some authorized paying agents charge up to a $2 processing fee (MLGW does not receive any revenue from those fees). | Monthly Deferit membership plus a $0.99 processing fee per bill. No interest. No late fees on eligible Deferit memberships.* |
| If you miss a payment | Unpaid accounts receive a cut-off notice. Customers with a cut-off notice must pay immediately at a Community Office teller window or online to avoid service interruption. Community Office and online payments post within 30 minutes. Standard reconnect fees and deposit requirements apply for disconnected accounts (amounts published in MLGW's Schedule of Charges). MLGW defers cutoffs for all residential customers December 15 through January 14 for unpaid balances of $399 or less (Holiday Bill Break). | You can reschedule a repayment date in the app before it's due. Late fees may apply depending on your Deferit membership.* |
| Works for | Memphis Light Gas and Water bills only | Memphis Light Gas and Water and most other US household bills |
| Learn more → |
*No late fees feature included with Max and Ultra memberships. Installments on the Lite membership may incur late fees if overdue. See Membership terms for details.
Pay your Memphis Light Gas and Water bill with Deferit
Earn 2% cashback on every bill, redeemed off your next payment. No subscription fee.
Common Questions About Memphis Light Gas and Water
Does Memphis Light Gas and Water charge a late fee? ›
Yes. MLGW charges late fees on standard monthly billing accounts when payment is not received by the net due date. The exact dollar amount is published in MLGW's Schedule of Charges and is not listed on mlgw.com. Customers enrolled in MLGW PowerPay (prepaid utility) are exempt from late fees.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/powerpay ·mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b
What happens if I miss an MLGW payment? ›
Unpaid accounts receive a cut-off notice. Once a cut-off notice is issued, you must pay immediately to avoid service disconnection. The fastest options are paying at an MLGW Community Office teller window or online through MLGW My Account, both of which post within 30 minutes. Standard reconnect fees and a deposit may be required to restore service after disconnection. MLGW suspends cutoffs for all residential customers between December 15 and January 14 for unpaid balances of $399 or less (Holiday Bill Break). Customers can also submit an online Payment Arrangement request as an alternative to immediate payment.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b ·mlgw.com/utilityassistance
Can I split my Memphis Light Gas and Water bill? ›
MLGW does not offer a Pay-in-4 type installment split. MLGW may establish an Extended Payment Plan for eligible customers with a past-due balance, payable in installments alongside the regular monthly bill. A Net Due Date Program is also available for retired or fixed-income customers. For an actual 4-installment split of your current bill, Deferit can pay your MLGW bill in full now and let you repay across 4 bi-weekly installments, subject to eligibility.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/utilityassistance ·mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b
How do I pay my MLGW bill online? ›
Pay through MLGW My Account at mymlgw.mlgw.org using a bank checking or savings account, Visa, MasterCard, Discover credit or debit card, or ATM debit card (Star, Pulse, or NYCE). There is no fee for online payments. Payments made before 3:00 p.m. CST post the same day. Payments made after 3:00 p.m. CST post by 8:00 a.m. CST the next business day. One-time and recurring payment options are available.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b
Does MLGW charge a fee to pay by credit card? ›
No. MLGW does not charge a fee for payments made through MLGW My Account online, the automated phone system (1-866-315-0277), or at a Community Office teller window. Some authorized paying agents throughout Shelby County charge up to a $2 processing fee per payment, but MLGW does not receive any revenue from those agent fees.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b
How do I contact MLGW customer service? ›
Residential Customer Care is available at 901-544-6549, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also manage your account, make payments, and apply for assistance programs through MLGW My Account at mymlgw.mlgw.org or the MLGW App. To schedule an in-person appointment at a Community Office, call 901-544-6549 or visit mlgw.com/qless.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/contact ·mlgw.com/utilityassistance
What assistance programs does MLGW offer? ›
MLGW offers the Extended Payment Plan (installment repayment of past-due balance), the Net Due Date Program (for retired or fixed-income customers), Third Party Notification (designate someone to receive cut-off notices), and Plus-1 assistance (one-time annual grant, applied via My Account, the app, or by appointment). MLGW also refers qualifying customers to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the Shelby County Community Services Agency at 901-222-4200. PowerPay (prepaid utility) lets customers on a past-due balance pay it off over time while eliminating future late fees and reconnect fees.
Retrieved June 2026 · Source: mlgw.com/utilityassistance ·mlgw.com/powerpay
Customer Service Tips for Memphis Light Gas and Water Customers
Have these ready before you call. Your 16-digit MLGW account number, service address, the amount on your last bill, and your preferred payment method. Residential Customer Care is at 901-544-6549, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For cut-off notice situations, the fastest payment options are the MLGW Community Office teller window or MLGW My Account online (both post within 30 minutes).
How to read your MLGW bill. Your MLGW bill shows separate charges for electric, natural gas, and water services. Each service section lists usage for the billing period and the applicable rate. Taxes and other fees appear as separate line items. The net due date is the deadline to avoid a late fee. The bottom portion of your bill is the payment stub and should be included with any mailed payment. Your 16-digit account number appears on both portions of the bill.
How to lower your bill. Review your usage line by line across electric, gas, and water to identify which service is driving the highest charges. MLGW's AutoPay and paperless billing options simplify payment management. PowerPay (prepaid utility) lets you monitor usage in real time via smart meter and avoid end-of-month surprises. If timing cash flow is the challenge rather than reducing usage, Deferit's Pay-in-4 option can split your bill into 4 installments, subject to eligibility.
Retrieved June 2026 · Sources: mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill_b ·mlgw.com/contact.
Updated: June 2026