An additional 53,000 households are set to receive an average discount of £325 on their water bills following a significant revamp of an assistance program. The WaterSure initiative, which currently limits bills for specific high-water-usage households, is being expanded to include individuals receiving certain disability benefits.
Households eligible for the WaterSure program must be recipients of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and have an annual household income below £25,745. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs reported that approximately 260,000 households are already benefitting from the scheme, saving an average of £325 each.
To qualify, households must have a water meter and be classified as high water users due to either a specific medical condition or having three or more children in the household. Notably, applicants will no longer be required to pay for a doctor’s note.
The reforms in eligibility criteria will also impact the determination of the price cap, potentially resulting in further savings of up to £100 for many existing recipients. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable households facing financial pressures, particularly with 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. These changes aim to provide peace of mind to thousands more customers who rely heavily on water for essential needs.
James Taylor, director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, welcomed the news of expanded eligibility for discounted water bills for disabled families. He highlighted the financial burden that high water bills can place on disabled individuals, emphasizing the necessity for increased support in such cases.
The move to extend assistance to more vulnerable customers and enhance the value of financial aid has been widely praised by stakeholders, indicating a positive step towards alleviating financial strain for households facing rising water costs.