Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is urging people to see if they’re eligible to save up to 90 per cent off their water bill.
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, the MEN reports.
Money Saving Expert, the website founded by Martin Lewis, is urging everyone to check if they can get up to 90 per cent slashed off their water bill straight away. The website is advising people to switch to a discounted tariff provided by their supplier to get the mammoth discount.
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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.
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 per cent 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 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 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 – 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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