Are you struggling with your Water bills?

Are you struggling with your Water bills help that may be available via the either the 1)Thames Water WaterHelp or 2)WaterSure scheme?

With the UK still recovering from the financial effects of the pandemic, many people are still struggling to maintain their household bills. Some of you may not be aware of the financial support that you may be able to access via Thames Water.

What’s WaterHelp/WaterSure?

The WaterSure and WaterHelp schemes exist to help customers who are either on a low income or are on a water meter and use lots of water this could be due to having a large family or having a medical condition which requires an increased use of water. WaterHelp was previously known as WaterSure Plus, this name changed in March 2020.

WaterHelp

If you are currently on a low-income household, Thames Water may be able to discount your bill through WaterHelp. If you qualify, you may be offered a 50% discount on your whole bill. This amount may change in the future. The Households income must be below £16,385, or below if you live in a London Borough £19,747.

WaterSure

Who is eligible?

To qualify for WaterSure you need to:
• Have a water meter or applied for one and awaiting installation, or be paying an
assessed charge, because it's not possible to fit a meter at your property
• be on certain benefits
• have a high essential use of water

Which Benefits are eligible? if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits you will be eligible

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income Support
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit awarded at a higher rate.

Some Water suppliers also offer WaterSure if you're on Disability Living Allowance or
High essential use of water, what does this mean?

This means:
• A household member has a medical condition and they need to use a lot of water, or
• you have 3 children or more aged under 19 and in full-time education living in your
home.
• the property is your main home.

In relation to the medical condition people who have any one of the following medical conditions will qualify for WaterSure automatically:

• Desquamation (flaky skin disease)
• Abdominal stomas
• Renal failure needing dialysis at home
• Skin disease (eczema, psoriasis, or varicose ulceration)
• Incontinence
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis

How do you apply for Watersure?

You can apply for WaterSure from the water company by completing an application form. You will need to supply supporting documents e.g., proof of benefits

You will need to provide evidence of your medical condition with a letter from your doctor, including how the condition is treated and the confirmation that it requires an increased use of water. Some Water companies will accept a stamp from your GP, providing details of your medical condition. If your water supplier does not accept a stamp, you will need to pay for a doctor's certificate. Some water suppliers will also refund the cost of the certificate.

Below are the application forms for both schemes offered by Thames Water.

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/media-library/home/help/billing-and-account/financial-support/waterhelp/watersure-application-form.pdf

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/media-library/home/help/billing-and-account/financial-support/waterhelp/waterhelp-application-form.pdf

The completed forms should be returned to:

Extra Care Services
Thames Water
PO Box 508
Swindon
SN38 2TX

A special thanks to Jenny Johnson for highlighting this Saving, remember folks share any savings tips with one another ‘Knowledge is power’