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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Rachel Pugh

Martin Lewis' MSE says 100,000s of households can apply for up to 90% off their water bill immediately

Money Saving Expert, the website founded by Martin Lewis, is urging everyone to check if they can get up to 90% slashed off their water bill straight away.

MSE says hundreds of thousands of households could be eligible for up to 90% off their water bill by making a simple switch. The website is advising people to switch to a discounted tariff provided by their supplier to get the mammoth discount.

The advice comes as millions of households struggle to afford to pay their bills and for basic necessities thanks to the cost of living crisis. According to Martin Lewis, things are only set to get worse.

READ MORE: Martin Lewis' MSE fan gets £200 air fryer for £70 with simple Amazon search

MSE says almost all water suppliers in England and Wales offer discounted tariffs. As households are locked into using the water and sewerage company that supplies their area, MSE has a round-up of the supplier offers for all the different regions, as well as the full eligibility criteria for each.

It comes as Anglian Water announced earlier this month an additional £135 million in funding to provide discounted tariffs of up to 50% off water bills for low income households.

Chris Newlands, news and investigations editor at MoneySavingExpert, said: "Water bills make up a significant part of people's monthly outgoings and so it is great to know there is help out there for those who are struggling, with some providers now offering up to 90% off bills as the cost of living crisis worsens. Applying doesn’t take long and most suppliers have set up easy systems to help with this process. However, for some you’ll need to provide proof of income and any benefits you receive."

Here's the full list of suppliers and the discounts they offer in England:

Water supplier

Level of discount

Eligibility

How to get it

Affinity Water

Bill capped at £107.20/yr

Household income of less than £16,480, excluding benefits

OR

You receive one of the following benefits:

- Housing benefit
- Income-related employment and support allowance

- Income support

- Job seeker's allowance

- Pension credit

- Universal credit

Apply online or send a Whatsapp message to 07971013368. You need to provide your postcode and evidence of your benefits and/or income

Anglian Water

Up to 50% off bills

You need to be on a meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter, and undertake an affordability assessment

Apply online or call 0800 232 1963. You need proof of household income

Bristol Water

Up to 88% off bills

You need to be on a low income or in financial difficulty eg receiving help from a debt advisor, and undertake an affordability assessment

Apply online. You need proof of income and details of any debt management plans

Bournemouth Water

Bill capped at £141.10/yr

You need to be on a water meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter

AND

You receive one of the following benefits:

- Child tax credit

- Housing benefit

- Income-related employment and support allowance

- Income support

- Job seeker's allowance

- Pension credit

- Working tax credit

- Universal credit

AND

You have 3 or more children under 19 years old living in the house for whom you’re receiving child benefit

OR

You, or someone living in your house, has a medical condition that means you have to use extra water.

Download the application form or call 01202 590059

Cambridge Water

60% off bills in year one, then 40% off in year two

You receive the guarantee element of pension credit

OR

You have a household income of less than £19,050, excluding certain benefits

Download the application form.

Dŵr Cymru

Bill capped at £266.47/yr

At least one person in the household must receive a means-tested benefit

AND

Have a low household income

Apply online. You may need proof of income and you'll need to reapply for the discount every 12 months

Essex and Suffolk Water

Up to 50% off bills

You have a household income of less than £17,005, or £20,111 if you live in London, and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income

OR

You, or someone you live with, receives pension credit and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income

OR

Your income doesn't cover your essential bills and you're on a debt management plan

Email supportplus@nwl.co.uk. You need to provide proof of household income

Hafren Dyfrdwy

Up to 90% off bills

You have a household income of less than £18,278, excluding benefits

Apply online or call 0800 085 305. You need proof of income and need to reapply for the discount every 12 months

Hartlepool Water

Up to 50% off bills

You need to be on a meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter, and undertake an affordability assessment

Apply online or call 0800 232 1963. You need proof of household income

Northumbrian Water

Up to a 50% reduction on your bill

You have a household income of less than £17,005 and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income

OR

You, or someone you live with, receive pension credit and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income

OR

Your income doesn't cover your essential bills and you're on a debt management plan

Email supportplus@nwl.co.uk. You need to provide proof of household income

Portsmouth Water

Bill capped at £82.73/yr

You have a household income of less than £17,005, excluding benefits

Download the application form. You may need to provide proof of income

SES Water

50% off bills

Your annual gross income is less than £16,480 outside of London, or less than £20,111 in London, excluding certain benefits

Apply online. You may need to provide proof of income

Severn Trent Water

Up to 90% off bills

You have a household income of less than £18,278, excluding benefits

Apply online. You'll need proof or income and any benefits you receive

South East Water

Bill capped at £157.78/yr

You have a household income of less than £16,480, excluding certain benefits

Call 0800 952 4000 or send a message and request a callback. You may need proof of income

South Staffs Water

60% off bills in year one, then 40% off in year two

You receive the guarantee element of pension credit

OR

You have a household income of less than £19,050, excluding certain benefits

Download the application form. You need to provide proof of income

South West Water

15% to 85% off bills

You need to be on a water meter

AND

You, or someone you live with, need to be claiming one of these means-tested benefits:

- Housing benefit
- Income based employment and support allowance

- Income based job seeker’s allowance

- Income support

- Pension Credit (guaranteed element)

- Universal Credit

Download the application form or call 0344 346 1010. You may need to provide proof of income

Southern Water

At least 45% off bills

You have a household income of less than £21,000, excluding certain benefits

OR

You, or someone you live with, receives pension credit

Complete this online form or call 0800 027 0363. You may need to provide proof of income

Thames Water

50% off bills

You have a household income of less than £16,480 outside of London, or below £20,111 in London

Download the application form. You need to provide proof of income

United Utilities

Bill capped at £258/yr or £366/yr depending on how many people you live with

You receive pension credit

Apply online. You may need to provide proof of benefits and household income

Annual bill reduced by between £90 to £492

You need to be claiming at least one of these means-tested benefits:

- Child tax credit
- Council tax reduction/support

- Housing benefit

- Income-based job seeker’s allowance-

- Income-related employment and support allowance

- Income support

- Pension credit

- Universal credit

- Working tax credit

AND

You are in arrears with your previous year's water bill and/or you have a household income of less than £21,000 if the reason you're applying is due to a recent life event

Wessex Water

Bill reduced based on your ability to pay

You'll need to be receiving financial help from a debt advisor

Apply online. You'll need to provide the details of your debt help/management plan

Yorkshire Water

Bill capped at £350/yr

You are on a low income and your yearly bill is more than £350

Complete an application form or call 01274 250542

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