Memphis Light, Gas and Water

Utility Assistance

MLGW Utility Assistance Programs

Extended Payment Plan:
In certain instances, MLGW may establish a repayment plan of a past due balance in addition to the regular utility bill.

Net Due Date Program:
If you are retired or on a fixed income and receive only one check at the beginning of each month, you may qualify for this plan. You may request that the net due date on your bill be delayed until after you have received your check.

Holiday Bill Break:
MLGW will defer cutoffs for nonpayment for all residential customers between December 15th and January 14th annually. Customers must have an unpaid balance of $399 or less. This new program will allow customers to have extra cash during the holidays while protecting them from getting into serious debt.

Third Party Notification:
You may designate a third party for us to notify in the event of a pending service cutoff due to non-payment or insufficient payments. The third party will not be responsible for paying your bill, but will act as an additional communication link. Call (901) 544-6549 for more information.

Third Party Notification application

Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers utility assistance to eligible households one time per its program year. Paper applications and walk-ins will no longer be accepted. Beginning Monday, November 3, applications must be submitted online at www.shelbycountycsa.org. Until further notice, only crisis applications will be processed. The Crisis Assistance program provides support for eligible households facing financial hardships and requires specific documentation and criteria for application.

Applicants must:

•Have a cut-off notice

•Be the primary MLGW account holder

•Meet income limits (see website)

•Upload all required documentation

Applicants must also meet one of the following:

•Age 60 or older

•Children under 5 in the home

•Disabled household member

•Veteran household member (discharged above dishonorable)

•Life-supporting equipment in use

•Job loss or medical expense within the past 30–45 days

Payments are not being made at this time and applications will be wait-listed until funds become available. For more information or to apply, visit www.shelbycountycsa.org or call (901) 222-4200.

City of Memphis Utility Assistance

Memphians facing utility cutoff notices may qualify for up to a $700 credit on their MLGW utility bills.

You may qualify if: Your household income does not exceed 130% of Federal Poverty Guidelines; you are an existing client of the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) and/or you have experienced financial, health or military deployment-related hardship within the last six months.

In addition, you must also live in Memphis (unincorporated, or de-annexed residents who may have a Memphis address but live in Shelby County, do not qualify), have the utilities in your or your spouse’s name, have a combined household income that does not exceed 130% of the established federal poverty income level, and have a current MLGW cut-off notice.

*Funds are not currently available

Referrals and Information

2-1-1 – Call 2-1-1 for social service referrals, including housing, medical and utility assistance.
901 Help: Memphis Home Empowerment Loan Program - Information - Flyer
United Way of the Mid-South – Call UW’s Driving the Dream Call Center for resource referrals, including housing, medical and utility assistance. Contact United Way at (844) 444-4211

*MLGW provides this community assistance listing as a service to its customers. Funding is subject to availability and eligibility requirements may change.