MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Having trouble paying your MLGW bill? You’re not alone.
The utility company says one of out three customers are not paying.
MLGW stopped disconnecting customers for non-payment March 13th because of the COVID-19 crisis. The question now is, when will they resume disconnections, and what about that mounting bill?
"We are just assessing the situation and we are always going to be conscious of the hardships our customers are facing," says MLGW spokesperson Gale Jones Carson.
Carson says for now, those with financial hardships are just being asked to pay something if they can on their MLGW bills. And for now, there is no date to resume disconnections.
"Whenever we resume disconnecting customers, we will give customers a lot of advanced notice. And those customers that have trouble paying - we will work with them," says Carson.
Outside the MLGW main office Wednesday, customers didn't want to go on camera and talk about their financial situations, but MLGW says when disconnections resume, the utility company will be unveiling new payment plans for customers.
The utility says since suspending disconnections, 30% of MLGW bills have not been paid, and about $29 million is past due.
"30% is high, and I know this is a direct cause from the COVID-19 pandemic that has had a major impact on our customers," said Carson.
So many people not paying could affect MLGW's bottom line.
"Our financial team is on top of this. I do believe we have some reserves and I understand we are monitoring the situation, and we are going to make the appropriate decisions as needed," said Carson.
We're told the MLGW President is assessing when disconnections will resume. There’s no word on when a final decision will be made.
