All the schemes that help with water bills

Water bills are set to rise by £86 on average next April.

If you’re worried about how you’ll afford this extra cost, you won’t be alone. The number of households seeking help with water bills in England and Wales rose by more than 250,000 last year, according to figures seen by the BBC.

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, here’s the schemes you need to know about.

Social tariffs

Many water companies offer discounted rates for customers on low incomes or to those receiving certain benefits. Water companies spent almost £259m on social tariffs last year.

But eligibility criteria and discounts vary from provider to provider. Thames Water, for example, offers a 50% discount to customers whose bills are more than 5% of their net income, while Welsh Water offers support to customers receiving at least one-means tested benefit.

Speak to your provider to see if you qualify for support.

Payment plans

Water companies can arrange payment plans to spread the cost of your bill over a more manageable period.

Contact your provider directly to discuss how they can help.

WaterSure

WaterSure is a scheme that helps people with high water usage by capping their bills at the average for their area.

It’s aimed at households with three or more children under 19, or those who use higher than average amounts of water because of certain medial conditions.

To qualify, you’ll need to have a water meter and receive certain benefits, including:

• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Income support
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Universal credit
• Housing benefit
• Pension credit
• Child tax credit (at a higher rate than the family element)
• Working tax credit

Priority Services Register

More than 6.6 million people are registered on the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The PSR is a free service that provides extra support to vulnerable people, such as those who are disabled, have health conditions or are older. While it doesn't directly reduce bills, it makes sure you receive tailored help.

Consumer Council for Water

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) provides free advice on dealing with water companies and can help if you're experiencing difficulties. They also offer resources on affordability and support schemes.

Visit www.ccw.org.uk to see if they can help.

Contact your water company

Water isn't a priority debt because providers can't cut off your water supply. However, you shouldn't ignore it. If you're struggling to keep up with payments, contact your water provider right away. They can help you find the right support for your situation.

Free debt support

If you're having trouble with water bills, the chances are you're behind on other bills too.

If you’re struggling with debt, we can help. We can also make sure you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to.