Our advice hub is packed with information and useful tools to help you reduce your bills or access financial support, including advice on the different types of schemes that water companies provide.
Water companies understand that people can struggle to pay their bills and fall into debt at times. If this happens to you, contact your water company and explain your situation so that they can provide you with the best support they can offer.
Not every water company is able to offer all the schemes featured in our hub.
Join more than a million households in England and Wales that are already receiving reduced bills through water company support schemes.
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income. Who is eligible for help and the level of support varies depending on your water company. See if you’re eligible for its scheme:
Customers are eligible in either of the following circumstances
OR
Annual clean water bills are capped at £119.50.
If you receive a council tax reduction/support, you may be eligible for a higher rate discount where the clean water bill will be fixed at £79.70.
Apply direct to company at www.affinitywater.co.uk/lowincome
An individual financial assessment is used to determine eligibility.
Reduced metered tariff based on customer circumstances. Up to 50% annual bill reduction.
Applications can be made to the company in the first instance:
http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household/your-account/bills-and-payments/tariffs/lite/
And
In addition to the above, your ‘equivalised’ weekly income, after housing costs, must be less than £295. Equivalised income is actual money income which is adjusted to reflect the size of a household.
To qualify for the WaterCare Tariff, your household bill should represent more than 5% of your equivalised income after housing costs.
A discount between 15% and 85% annual bill discount depending on household income.
Apply direct to the company https://www.bournemouthwater.co.uk/bills/need-help-paying-your-bill/
Low income households who are assessed as being in financial difficulty.
A low rate tariff based on ability to pay, with discounts off the average annual household bill.
Apply directly to company at https://www.bristolwater.co.uk/home/account-and-services/bills-and-payments/struggling-to-pay
If the bill payer and all the adults in your household receive pension credit you may qualify for a discount of around 20% off your bill.
or
Families with children have an additional allowance of £1,500 per child added to the household income threshold.
The following benefits do not count towards income:
This does not include the £350 government payment to those households who will be housing Ukrainian citizens, within their income threshold calculation.
If claimants have no income (whilst waiting for a Universal Credit Application to be processed) then charges will be fully waived for an 8 week period. The 60% bill reduction will then apply for the remainder of the first year.
Apply direct to company at
https://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/household/extra-help/help-with-paying
Customers receiving an income related benefit and with household income* no higher than the following levels:
* Excluding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, disability benefits & premiums, carer’s allowance and carer premiums
The annual HelpU charge is £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage)
Apply direct to the company:
or
Discount (up to 50%) against annual bill based on circumstances.
The Money Advice Service debt advice service locator can be found here: https://www.eswater.co.uk/services/extra-support/financial-support/supportplus/
The Here2Help Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Hafren Dyfrdwy customer depending on the size of their household and household income.
Annual water charges will be reduced by up to 70% based on the households financial circumstances.
Find more information at https://www.hdcymru.co.uk/my-account/help-with-account/am-i-eligible-to-get-money-off-my-bill/
If you pay measured charges through a water meter, Hartlepool Water has a range of different schemes available depending on your situation.
You could get a discount of up to 50% on your water and sewerage charges.
Apply direct to the company.
https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/water-care/extra-care-support/
or
Discount (up to 50%) against annual bill based on circumstances.
Contact the company. More information can be found at https://www.nwl.co.uk/services/extra-support/financial-support/supportplus/
Helping hand is a new tariff for customers who have a low income or are in receipt of certain benefits. If your application is successful your water bill will be capped at our minimum charge for the year – currently £91.12. Anyone with an income of less than £21,000 is eligible. The following benefits are not counted towards this income threshold:
• Child Tax Credit
• Pension Credit
• Personal Independence Payment
• Mortgage Interest Relief
• Attendance Allowance
• Housing / Council Tax Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
Applications should be made directly to the company here https://www.portsmouthwater.co.uk/customer-services/problems-paying/
The Big Difference Scheme is for household customers on low incomes who struggle to pay their water or sewerage bills.
Once you apply, an assessment of your household’s income will be carried out. This takes into account everyone in the household.
If your application is successful, an amount you should be paying will be recommended. There are several bands of charges, also known as tariffs.
If you want to apply for the Big Difference Scheme, you can talk to the company or any debt advice agency such as Citizens Advice.
https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-account/help-with-account/am-i-eligible-to-get-money-off-my-bill/
Customers whose household income of £18,725 per year or less, excluding income from:
Annual bill capped at
Apply direct to company here: https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/help/priority-services/help-paying-your-bill
You’ll qualify for the Essentials tariff if:
If you qualify, the annual bill will be discounted by between 45% and 90% depending on your income. The discount for those qualifying only through someone receiving pension credit is 45%
Apply direct to company at https://www.southernwater.co.uk/difficulty-paying-your-bill
or via advice agency.
Customers who receive Pension Credit guarantee element
Or
Those with total annual household income of less than £20,050 may qualify.
Families with children have an additional allowance of £1,500 per child added to the household income threshold.
The following benefits do not count towards income:
If claimants have no income (whilst waiting for a Universal Credit Application to be processed) then charges will be fully waived for an 8 week period. The 60% bill reduction will then apply for the remainder of the first year.
Apply direct to company at https://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/household/extra-help/help-with-paying
You or someone in your house receives one of the following means tested benefits:
To qualify for the WaterCare Tariff, your household bill should represent more than 5% of your equivalised income after housing costs.
In addition to the above, your ‘equivalised’ weekly income, after housing costs, must be less than £295. Equivalised income is actual money income which is adjusted to reflect the size of a household. For example, an income of £200 is worth more to a single person than it would be to a family with 3 children.
There are 5 bandings between 15% and 85% reduction.
Apply direct to South West Water: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/help/need-help-paying-bill/
You could be eligible for this scheme if your yearly gross income is:
Disablement benefits are not included as income.
50% Discount from annual water bill.
Apply directly to the company at https://seswater.co.uk/your-account/paying-your-bill/help-paying-your-bill#watersupportscheme
Paper versions of form available by calling 01737 772000
Representatives of customers are also able to apply on their behalf.
SES Water also offers the following schemes:
If your water bill is more than 5% of your net income, you may be eligible for WaterHelp (depending how many people live at your property).
Those who qualify will receive a 50% discount on their bill.
Apply directly to the company at https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/financial-support
Customers in receipt of Pension Credit.
The amount you pay will depend on whether you live alone or with other adults at the same address who also receive Pension Credit.
Apply direct to the company: http://www.unitedutilities.com/apply-for-help-to-pay-scheme.aspx
To be eligible for the Back on Track scheme you must receive at least one of these income related benefits:
In addition to receiving one of the benefits above, you be must either; be in arrears with previous years’ water charges
Or
Have a household income of less than £21,000 a year if applying due to a recent life event.
As part of the application process they will ask you to either provide evidence of the benefits you receive or provide proof of how your household income has reduced.
Depending on your individual circumstances your water bill will be capped at a lower amount for the year.
Apply directly to the company at https://www.unitedutilities.com/services/your-bill/difficulty-paying-your-bill/
Assist is for those struggling to pay who need a large discount on their bill. You do not need to receive benefits to apply.
A low rate tariff based on ability to pay, with discounts up to 90% on the annual average household bill.
You can apply for Assist with Wessex Water at www.wessexwater.co.uk/your-account/help-paying/apply-for-assist
You can apply if Wessex Water provides you with water and/or sewerage services and all the adults in your household receive Pension Credit or the state pension is your (and their) only income.
They will reduce your bill by around £55 every year. You do not need to reapply each year or if you move home.
To apply for this discount, you will need a copy of your evidence to show entitlement to Pension Credit or a copy of your bank statement showing the state pension as your only income. Any evidence sent needs to show your name and address and be dated within the last 12 months. You can apply for a Discount for low income pensioners with Wessex Water at www.wessexwater.co.uk/bills-and-accounts/help-to-pay-your-bill/discount-for-low-income-pensioners
The WaterSupport Scheme helps customers on lower incomes pay their water charges
Annual bills are capped at £364 for 2024-25.
By application direct to the company at https://www.yorkshirewater.com/billing-payments/help-paying-your-bill/
