Where your Memphis Light Gas and Water payment goes

Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) is a municipal utility that serves the Memphis area. When you pay your bill, the money goes directly to MLGW's operations — maintaining the power lines, gas pipes, and water infrastructure that serve your home. Unlike some utilities that are owned by private companies, MLGW is run by the City of Memphis, so your payment supports a public system.

Your bill typically covers three separate services: electricity, natural gas, and water. Each service has its own meter and its own portion of your total bill. MLGW reads these meters monthly and sends you a combined bill. The payment you make covers all three services unless you have arranged to pay them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • MLGW offers online payment through their website, automatic bank withdrawals, phone payment, and in-person payment at their offices or authorized locations.
  • Online and automatic payments typically post within one to two business days, while phone and in-person payments may take longer depending on the method.
  • MLGW charges a fee for some payment methods — credit card payments incur a processing fee, but bank account payments and in-person payments do not.
  • If you miss a payment, MLGW will send a past-due notice and may disconnect your service after 30 days without payment.
  • You can set up automatic payments to avoid missing important date, and MLGW offers budget billing that spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months.

Online and automatic payment options

The fastest way to pay MLGW is through their website at mlgw.org. You can log into your account, view your current bill, and pay when ready using a bank account or debit card. Online payments typically post within one to two business days. If you use a credit card instead of a debit card or bank account, MLGW charges a processing fee — currently around 2.5 percent of your payment amount.

You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month without you having to log in. MLGW calls this "autopay." You choose the payment date and the amount, and the money is withdrawn from your bank account automatically. Automatic payments from a bank account have no fee. This option is useful if you want to avoid late payments or straightforward prefer not to think about the bill each month.

To set up either online or automatic payment, you will need your MLGW account number, which appears on your bill. You can find it in the upper right corner of the first page.

Phone and in-person payment methods

You can pay MLGW by phone by calling their customer service line at 901-528-4465. A representative will take your payment information and process the payment over the phone. Phone payments are available during business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time. Phone payments have no fee, but they may take longer to post than online payments — usually three to five business days.

You can also pay in person at MLGW's main office located at 220 South Main Street in downtown Memphis, or at authorized payment locations throughout the Memphis area. MLGW's website lists all authorized payment locations. In-person payments are processed when ready and have no fee. If you pay with cash, you will receive a receipt showing the payment date and amount.

Payment timing and when money posts to your account

The date your payment posts depends on the method you use. Online payments and automatic bank withdrawals typically post within one to two business days. Phone payments usually take three to five business days. In-person cash payments post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. on a business day may not post until the next business day.

Your bill has a due date printed on it — usually about 20 days after the bill is issued. MLGW considers a payment on time if it posts to your account by the due date. If you pay online or set up autopay, allow at least two business days for the payment to post, so submit your payment at least two days before the due date to be safe.

If you pay after the due date, MLGW will add a late fee to your next bill. The late fee is typically 1.5 percent of the amount owed. If your payment is more than 30 days late, MLGW may disconnect your service without further notice.

Fees and what affects your total cost

Most MLGW payment methods are free. Bank account payments — whether online or automatic — have no fee. In-person and phone payments have no fee. The only payment method that carries a fee is credit card payment, which incurs a processing fee of approximately 2.5 percent. This means if your bill is $100 and you pay with a credit card, you will pay about $102.50 total.

Beyond payment method fees, MLGW may charge other fees that appear on your bill. These include a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date, a reconnection fee if your service was disconnected and you pay to restore it, and a returned check fee if a check payment bounces. You can avoid all of these by paying on time using a method that does not bounce — online payment, automatic withdrawal, or in-person payment.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date, MLGW will send you a past-due notice. This notice gives you a grace period — usually 10 to 15 days — to pay before further action is taken. During this time, your service remains on, but a late fee is added to your account.

If you do not pay within 30 days of the original due date, MLGW may disconnect your service without additional notice. To restore service after disconnection, you must pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee, which is typically $75 to $150 depending on the service. Reconnection usually takes one to two business days after payment is received.

If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact MLGW customer service before your account becomes past due. MLGW offers budget billing, which spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months so your bill is the same each month. They may also offer payment arrangements that allow you to pay your past-due balance over several months instead of all at once.

Budget billing and payment plans

MLGW's budget billing program averages your annual utility costs and divides them into 12 equal monthly payments. This means your bill is the same each month, regardless of whether you use more electricity in summer or more gas in winter. Budget billing can make it easier to plan your household budget and avoid surprise high bills during peak seasons.

To enroll in budget billing, contact MLGW customer service or request it through your online account. MLGW will calculate your average monthly cost based on your usage history and set up your new payment amount. You will remain on budget billing for 12 months, after which MLGW will recalculate your average and adjust your monthly payment if needed.

If you have fallen behind on payments, MLGW may offer a payment plan that lets you pay your past-due balance in installments over several months while also paying your current bill. Payment plans are not automatic — you must contact MLGW and request one. The terms depend on how much you owe and your payment history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my MLGW bill with a credit card without a fee?

No. MLGW charges a processing fee of approximately 2.5 percent when you pay with a credit card. Bank account payments, whether online or automatic, have no fee. If you want to avoid the credit card fee, use your debit card or bank account instead.

What is the fastest way to pay my MLGW bill?

In-person payment at an MLGW office or authorized location posts the same day. Online payment and automatic bank withdrawal post within one to two business days. Phone payment takes three to five business days. If you need your payment to post quickly, pay in person.

How do I set up automatic payments with MLGW?

Log into your account at mlgw.org, go to the payment section, and select "autopay" or "automatic payment." Choose your payment date and amount, then provide your bank account information. MLGW will withdraw the payment automatically each month on the date you choose.

What happens if I pay my bill late?

MLGW will add a late fee of approximately 1.5 percent to your next bill. If your payment is more than 30 days late, MLGW may disconnect your service. To restore service, you must pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee.

Does MLGW offer help if I cannot afford my bill?

MLGW offers budget billing to spread costs evenly across 12 months and payment plans for past-due balances. Contact MLGW customer service at 901-528-4465 to discuss your options. You may also contact local nonprofits or your city government to ask about utility information programs.