Thousands of North East families could be eligible for up to 50% off their water bill by switching to a discounted tariff provided by Northumbrian Water to help with the cost of living crisis.
Water companies all over the UK are providing cheaper rates for low-income households, and while Northumbrian Water's is not the most generous, households in our area pay the second lowest average water bills in the country at £365 per year. Hafren Dyfrdwy customers in Wales pay the least at £334 per year on average, and spare a thought for the poor customers of South West Water, who pay a whopping £472.
Read more: £324 cost of living payments to start this week for tax credit and other legacy benefit claimants
The most generous discount is for customers of Portsmouth Water, who can get their bills capped at £82.73/year if their household income is less than £17,005, excluding benefits. However, Unlike other utilities, you can't change water companies if you're not happy with the prices or the service, so Northumbrian Water's nearly three million customers from Berwick in the north down to Teesside in the South should look at what discounts Northumbrian Water can offer, depending on circumstances and household income.
Low Income Discount
If you're on a low income or receive pension credit, your bill may be reduced by up to 50%.
Who can apply?
- If your total household income is less than £17,005, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments) or,
- If someone in your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments), or
- your income is not enough to cover your essential bills - in this case, you'll need a financial assessment from an independent debt advice organisation, such as StepChange Debt Charity, along with your application.
Your total household income includes your benefits, such as universal credit and housing benefit, but does not include disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments Attendance Allowance and other disability payments.
You can start the application today, by emailing SupportPLUS@nwl.co.uk. or calling 0345 733 5566 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
Water Direct
If you've fallen behind with your payments, Water Direct can help you get back on track.
If you get a qualifying benefit and you're more than £50 behind on your payments, Water Direct can help you.
You'll fill in an application that Northumbrian Water sends to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
The DWP will decide if it can collect payments straight from your benefits, before they're paid to you, and the money will go towards paying off money owed, as well as your latest bill.
Any recovery action will also be stopped as long as you use Water Direct.
To qualify, you must receive one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Based Employment & Support Allowance
- Pension Credit, or
- Universal Credit.
Apply here or call 0345 733 5566.
Watersure
If you don't qualify for the help above, it may also be possible to get a reduced or capped bill through the national WaterSure scheme, available through all water companies.
To be eligible, you must have a water meter and have three or more children under the age of 19 in full-time education, or live with someone with a medical condition that means they use extra water.
You (or someone living with you) will also need to receive one of the following benefits:
- Child tax credit (except families receiving the family element only)
- Housing benefit
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Pension credit
- Universal credit
- Working tax credit
If you're accepted, your bills will be capped, so regardless of how much water you use, you won't pay more than your supplier's average household cost. Typical savings can be about £250 a year. To sign up, contact your supplier for an application form.
To apply for Watersure, click here
If you don't qualify for any of the schemes
If are still struggling to pay, Northumbrian Water has a range of help available, including:
- Payment plan with affordable payments;
- Payment breaks, where it is needed
- Advice and support, especially if you're feeling stressed and anxious about money
- Referring you to expert third party services , to help you manage any debt.
If you pay for your bills via traditional water rates you may want to consider switching to a water meter. These meters, which measure how much water you use, which became compulsory in all new properties from 1990 onwards. However, if your house was built before then, you can still apply for a water meter to be fitted if you think it would save you money.
You supply readings from the water meter display to ensure accuracy, and Northumbrian Water calls to take a meter reading once a year to ensure the bill is correct. The readings help track your usage, so your water bill is as accurate as possible.
Generally, if there are fewer people living in the house than there are bedrooms, you will probably save money by having a water meter fitted. So if you are a couple living in a four-bedroomed house, it is probably worth your while to make the switch.
If you choose to get a water meter, you have up to two years to change your mind. You cannot remove the water meter from the property, but your water bill will switch back to an unmetered one. If you move out, and someone else moves in, they will be charged based on the meter, and the water they use.
Also check out the water-saving gadgets you can get from Northumbrian Water free of charge.
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