Millions of households could be missing out on cutting their water bill by as much as £160 a year, Martin Lewis warned.
Appearing on Thursday's (May 17) edition of Good Morning Britain, the money-saving expert shed some light on the 'lesser-known' support which people on low income can claim to cut their water bills. By using social tariffs which are available for all water companies, certain customers can receive a discount of up to 50 per cent in some cases.
Despite the huge savings that people can snag, it is believed that only one-fifth of people eligible are claiming for the support. Martin explained how people can save money on social tariffs.
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Speaking on GMB, presenter Susanna Reid prompted: "5.7 million households are missing out on an average £160 a year?"
Mr Lewis replied: “The biggest one of all being missed out, and the least known one. Every water company has to have its own social tariff - this is for people on lower incomes.
“Only two in 10 people who are eligible for this are claiming this right now. So what you need to do if you're on a lower income and you're struggling to pay your water bill, or even if you're just on a lower income, is go on to your firm's website and search social tariffs.”
If you are unable to apply online, you can also call up your water firm to see if they offer any help. Martin highlighted that there are plenty of schemes customers can take advantage of.
He said: "There's more help, too. If you're on a water meter, the water sure scheme is for those on benefits.”
He added: “If you have medical needs, which means you need to use more water, or you've got three plus school-aged children, that's an extra help that you can get as well as this or separately to this. But you can just see this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“The most important thing I do if I were you, is get yourself onto an online benefits calculator to see the help that's available.”
He added: “Millions of people missing out on so much vital support in the middle of a cost of living crisis.”
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