Thousands of households to get help with their water bills - see who is eligible
An extra 50,000 households are to get help to pay their water bills as Walsh Water has extended its financial support scheme.
The water company is investing £13million to help customers who "would not normally qualify for lower water charges".
The investment is part of Welsh Water's social tariff scheme and "Cymuned" community fund.
Welsh Water told the Mirror that to date, working households hadn’t usually been eligible for financial assistance from the company.
However, the company’s "Cymuned" Support Fund will enable these households to apply for financial support.
Even the Tooth Fairy is feeling the cost of living crunch with payments down 10%
Those found eligible for support will receive a three-month "charge free" period - this equates to a discount of around £100 to £120 based on an average Welsh Water bill.
Welsh Water said its Cymuned fund aims to help working households "where at least one adult is in employment" but who are struggling to afford the essentials, like their water bill.
Those who apply will need to have their financial situation assessed through an Income and Expenditure assessment which is completed by one of three partner organisations, Citizens Advice, StepChange or Warm Wales.
The scheme was trialled in December 2022 in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Denbighshire and Welsh Water said the service is available to Welsh Water customers now.
The water company has around three million customers, mostly in Wales but also in parts of England.
In the release of its financial results today, Welsh Water said it recognised that the current cost-of-living crisis was very different to previous financial shocks.
It said: "With unemployment levels at record lows, fewer customers are seeing their incomes reduced, but instead face rising household bills resulting in negative budgets.
"These customers are generally not served by typical financial assistance schemes and a different approach is needed."
Welsh Water chief executive, Peter Perry, said: "We know that a lot of our customers are struggling at the moment which is why we have committed to invest £13million to expand our financial support to an extra 50,000 households through our “social tariffs” scheme and our Cymuned fund.
“With a lot of the working households we serve finding that bills are exceeding their income, our Cymuned fund could provide some much needed support.
Savvy supermarket shopper shares how she stretches £60 into ten meals
"Eligible households will receive a three month ‘charge free’ period, which equates to a discount of around £100-£120 based on an average annual bill."
Welsh Water has urged its customers to contact the company "the moment the bill becomes a worry".
This is so it can take a look into your case and the appropriate support to help "alleviate this concern”.
Each water company provides support for those who are struggling but the help you can get is dependent on your provider.
You can find a round-up of help available from water providers here.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
