An additional 53,000 households are set to receive an average discount of £325 on their water bills through a significant revision of an assistance program. The WaterSure scheme, which limits the bills for specific high water usage households, is expanding its eligibility criteria to include individuals receiving certain disability benefits.
Households qualifying for the WaterSure scheme must be recipients of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with an annual household income below £25,745. Currently, around 260,000 households benefit from this initiative, saving an average of £325 each, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
To qualify, households must have a water meter and be considered high water users due to specific medical conditions or having three or more children in the household. Notably, applicants will no longer need to provide a doctor’s note as part of the application process.
The reforms in eligibility will also impact how the price cap is determined, potentially resulting in additional savings of up to £100 for most current recipients. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasized the importance of these changes in easing the financial burden on vulnerable households facing escalating living costs, particularly water bills.
Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), expressed satisfaction with the government’s adoption of most of the recommended changes to the WaterSure scheme, anticipating increased peace of mind for thousands of customers reliant on significant water usage for essential needs.
James Taylor, director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, welcomed the news of more disabled families becoming eligible for discounted water bills, highlighting the financial challenges faced by disabled households in managing high water expenses necessary for daily living and medical requirements at home.