For the month of August, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division is relaxing its deferred billing rules to further assist customers, with high bills, to avoid being disconnected.

To be eligible for the relaxed rules, the bill has to be at least $250; customers must pay 25 percent of the amount owed or $250, whichever is less. Payment can be made by cashier’s check, money order, cash or credit card.

If the resulting deferred billing payment exceeds $500 a month, deferred billing can be set up over a longer period, not to exceed nine months. The customer must have an updated/approved residential service agreement on file before receiving a deferred billing arrangement.

Eligible customers can bring two forms of identification and payment to one of MLGW’s five community centers: 245 South Main Street, 2935 Lamar Avenue, 1111 East Shelby Drive, 2424 Summer Avenue or, in Millington, 5131 Navy Road.

The relaxed rules are separate from MLGW’s weather-related moratorium policy, which is in effect whenever these conditions exist: (a) the forecast heat index will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time during a 24-hour period; or (b) the forecast heat index will be 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time in a 24-hour period for customers 60 years of ago or older, physically challenged, or customers certified as life-support dependent.