Home and Energy Cost Support
Water Bill Support
If you're struggling to pay your water bills and haven’t got a water meter, check whether installing one will save you money.
Many water companies, as well as the Consumer Council for Water have water usage calculators on their websites to help you work out how much you are likely to pay if you have a meter. You might be able to spread payments over a longer period through a payment plan, as water companies accept a variety of payment methods.
Special Schemes
Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts to help you pay your bills.
Severn Trent Big Difference Scheme
The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any with a household income below £18,278. Households with child dependants may be eligible for an additional income allowance in excess of this amount.
Thames Water WaterHelp Scheme
If you live in a low-income household, you may be able to discount your bill through WaterHelp. If you qualify, the schemes currently offer a 50% discount on your whole bill. This amount may change in the future. They consider households earning below £16,480, or below £20,111 in London boroughs, to be on a low income.
Affinity Water Low Income Tariff
The low-income, fixed tariff is available to customers earning less than £16, 480 a year or claiming certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Job Seeker's Allowance. You'll receive a fixed-price bill each year for your clean water if you are eligible. In 2022/23 your clean water bill will be capped at £107.20. To help keep your payments simple and affordable, you can also make smaller monthly payments throughout the year.
WaterSure Scheme
If you're on benefits, check if you're eligible for the Watersure scheme.
WaterSure is a scheme which helps some people with their water bills. To apply for the scheme, you must be on benefits and use a lot of water for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of school-age children. You also need to be on a water meter or wait to have one installed. Your water bill will be capped if you get help through the WaterSure scheme. This means you will not pay more than the average metered bill for the area your water company deals with. In some cases, your normal metered water bill could be less than your company's WaterSure cap. If this applies to you, you will only be billed for the amount of water you use.
Winter Support
These support options are available every winter.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956, you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. includes your ‘pensioner cost of living payment’. This is between £150 and from £300. You’ll get this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024.
Warm Home Discount
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income
Cold weather payments
£25 extra a week, if you’re getting certain benefits, is available during the winter when the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days.
Help to Heat
You may be eligible for grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home, which could help to reduce your energy bills. Government is investing in energy efficiency schemes which are being delivered by local authorities. Find energy grants for your home
