Thousands of families could get £120 off their bills in new cost of living help

30 August 2023 , 09:52

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The Cymuned (Community) Support Fund has been expanded (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Thousands of families who are struggling under the rising cost of living could get £120 off their bills.

Welsh Water is giving certain households a three-month "charge free" period worth between £100 and £120 through its Cymuned (Community) Support Fund. This help was previously only available to people on means-tested benefits, but is now being expanded.

You may be eligible for help if you have a combined income of £50,000 or less a year and your household bills exceed this income. But you will not qualify if you’re eligible for a Welsh Water social tariff or debt scheme.

Before you can apply for the Cymuned Support Fund, you’ll need to complete an assessment with Citizens Advice, Warm Wales or StepChange. Once that has been completed, you'll then need to apply directly through Welsh Water.

Sam James, Welsh Water Managing Director of Household Customer Services, said: "We know that many working customers in the communities we serve are struggling as they face increased pressure from the cost-of-living. Our Cymuned scheme is the first of its kind, designed to provide eligible working households with financial support.

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"I'd like to thank our partner organisations, Citizens Advice, StepChange and Warm Wales, for working with us to offer this support and urge any customer who is working but struggling financially to reach out to one of these organisations; we’re here for you."

Water bills - what other help is available?

Water bills in England and Wales rose by 7.5% on average this year, taking the typical annual cost to £448 a year. Some households have seen their bills rise more or less than this average figure.

You cannot change your water company, like with gas and electricity, but you may be able to switch your tariff. All water companies offer social tariffs to low-income customers that reduces how much you pay. The eligibility and level of support varies from company to company.

If you're struggling, some households could also save money by having a water meter installed. Martin Lewis suggests, as a general rule of thumb, that you could save cash if you have more or the same number of bedrooms in your house than people.

Use the free calculator on the Consumer Council for Water website to check if you'd benefit from a water meter. If you have a water meter, it may also be possible to get a reduced or capped bill through the national WaterSure scheme.

Households can also bag a range of free water-saving devices through Save Water Save Money. The gadgets include shower heads which help regulate water usage, tap inserts to regulate water flow, and cistern bags, so each flush uses less water.

Levi Winchester