Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division helped 6,704 customers to manage their bills and avoid disconnection through its relaxed deferred payment plan (DEFB).

In all, from the time that relaxed requirements were activated on January 27 to its conclusion on March 28, the total amount of DEFBs approved exceeded $5.5 million.

The relaxed rules lowered the requirement for a deferred payment plan to bills that are $250 or more, which is down from $500 or more. Customers were allowed to pay 25 percent of the money owed or $250, whichever was less, and repay the remaining balance in equal payments over the next five months.

“Whenever we have the opportunity to help our customers, it’s always the right thing to do,” said Jerry R. Collins Jr., MLGW president and chief executive.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.