Householders facing huge hikes in their water bills from April could be eligible for a discount of up to 70 per cent. Severn Trent has a Big Difference Scheme that can cut costs for customers with a household income below £22,010.
It says people with children could still qualify even if their income is higher than this level. Applicants will have their finances assessed to see how much of a reduction they are entitled to receive.
You’ll need to provide evidence of your income with payslips from the last three months and any benefit award letters from the DWP. If you’re successful, a payment plan will be drawn up that will also include clearing off any debts on the account.
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According to industry regulator Ofwat, the average Severn Trent water bill for 2024-2025 is £398 and will go up to £463 for 2025-2026. Water bills run from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the next and getting 70 per cent off the average bill for the upcoming year would mean it would be discounted to £324, a reduction of £139.
You can apply to the Big Difference Scheme on the Severn Trent website. It’s also worth looking at whether you qualify for having your bills capped through the WaterSure scheme – this means you will not pay any more than the average metered bill for the area your supplier covers.
Severn Trent offers WaterSure to those who receive Child Benefit for three or more children under 19 or have a medical condition that means they use more water than usual. Guidance on the Citizens Advice website explains that WaterSure is generally offered by providers to people who are on a water meter, receive specific state benefits and have a high essential use of water.
People who have one of the following medical conditions automatically qualify for WaterSure, as long as they meet all the other qualifying conditions:
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desquamation (flaky skin disease)
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weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)
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incontinence
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abdominal stomas
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renal failure requiring dialysis at home – although you won’t qualify for WaterSure if you’re already getting a contribution to your water costs from the NHS
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Crohn’s disease
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ulcerative colitis
You can also apply for WaterSure if someone in your household has another medical condition that requires them to use more water than average. However, you won’t be eligible if the high usage in your household is caused by watering a garden using something other than a watering can or sprinkler, or by refilling a pond or swimming pool with a capacity of more than 10,000 litres.
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