MILLIONS of households are unable to get help with their water bills through a vital scheme due to a key loophole.
WaterSure is a scheme which helps households on benefits, those who need to use a lot of water or have a certain number of school aged children with their water bills.
Major suppliers including Thames Water, Severn Trent and Yorkshire Water are part of the scheme, which caps your bills based on the average metered bill for your area.
To apply you need to have a water meter or be waiting to have one installed.
The loophole could mean that millions of households are locked out of the support at a time when water bills have surged.
The average annual water and wastewater bill increased by £123 in April, taking it from £480 to £603.
The hike is equivalent to an increase of around £10 a month.
But around 40% of households in England and Wales do not yet have a water meter, according to the Consumer Council for Water.
Meanwhile, millions of homes are unable to get one installed due to a variety of reasons.
This could be because there is more than one water supply to your home or your property is on a shared supply.
Another reason could be because the pipework in your property is inaccessible, obstructed or in poor condition.
Or your water company may not be able to find a good place to fit your water meter inside or outside your home.
Plus, if you live in a flat and have communal facilities or a shared hot water supply then you may not be able to get a water meter.
In some areas the number of people who can have a water meter installed may be even lower.
Insiders have told The Sun that up to 70% of homes in London are unmeterable.
This could mean millions of households are unable to access the Thames Water scheme, which caps wastewater and water services at £639 a year.
What water bill support is available?
IT’S always worth checking if you qualify for a discount or extra support to help pay your water bill.
Over two million households who qualify to be on discounted social water tariffs aren’t claiming the savings provided, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
Only 1.3million households are currently issued with a social water tariff – up 19% from the previous year.
And the average household qualifying for the discounted water rates can slash their bills by £160 a year.
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income and the CCW is calling on customers to take advantage before bills rise in April.
Who’s eligible for help and the level of support offered varies depending on your water company.
Most suppliers also have a pot of money to dish out to thousands of customers who are under pressure from rising costs – and you don’t have to pay it back.
These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds offering a vital lifeline when faced with daunting water bills.
The exact amount you can get depends on where you live and your supplier, as well as your individual circumstances.
Many billpayers across the country could also get help paying off water debts through a little-known scheme and even get the balance written off.
Companies match the payments eligible customers make against the debt on their account to help clear it sooner.
If you’re on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme.
Bills are capped at the average amount for your supplier, so the amount you could save will vary.
The Consumer Council for Water estimates that bills are reduced by £307 on average through the scheme.
Severn Trent Water customers also need to have a water meter before they can get help through the scheme.
Customers must have three or more children under the age of 19 living with them and be receiving child benefit or have a medical condition that requires the extra use of water.
If you meet the criteria your bills will be capped at the supplier’s average yearly charge, which is £555.89.
Yorkshire Water also requires you to have a water meter in order to access support through the WaterSure scheme.
To be eligible to have your bill capped someone in your household must receive a benefit or tax credit.
They also need to receive child benefit for three or more children under the age of 19 or someone in your household must have a medical condition that uses a lot of water.
Abdi Mohamed, from disability equality charity Scope, said: “Many disabled people have no choice but to use more water, whether they have a water meter or not.
“All water companies should provide fully accessible customer services to ensure disabled people can access support.
“Consumers cannot choose their water supplier, and more needs to be done to ensure consistency and fairness for all disabled people.
“For many, there’s no escaping high water bills and water companies need to recognise the extra costs of all of their disabled customers.”
What can I do if I am not eligible for the scheme?
Social tariffs
Anyone who is worried about their water bill should contact their water supplier for help.
A spokesperson for the Consumer Council for Water said: “Water companies have a broad range of schemes which can help people who are struggling with their bill.
“More than 1.6 million low-income households are currently receiving cheaper bills through water companies’ social tariffs.”
Companies including Affinity Water, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water and Wessex Water all offer these tariffs.
For example, the SES Water Support scheme will give you a 50% discount on your annual water bill.
To be eligible your annual income must be less than £19,995 if you live outside of London.
If you live in London then you must earn less than £25,207 to be eligible.
Or Wessex Water’s Assist scheme will give you a discount of up to 90% on your bill if you are struggling to pay.
You do not need to receive benefits to apply.
Meanwhile, low income households who are considered to be in financial difficulty can get help through its Assist scheme.
The low rate tariff will be calculated based on their ability to pay, with discounts off the average annual household bill.
The support on offer and criteria to apply vary depending on your supplier but on average you can save around £160 a year.
Payment breaks
Your water company may also be able to offer you a Payment break if you temporarily need to reduce or stop your payments for a limited time.
At United Utilities you can delay your water bill payment for a set period of time, which is agreed in advance.
When you are ready to start paying your bill again you can spread the delayed payments over a longer period to help you catch up and not fall into debt.
The scheme is available to customers with a combined annual household income of below £21,000 and who receive certain means-tested benefits.
You may also be eligible to apply if you have experienced a significant life event, such as losing your job or death in the family.
Meanwhile, South Staffs Water will let you take a payment break of up to three months.
Your eligibility is assessed when you apply and you can only apply for one break a year.
Hardship fund
Some water companies also offer a hardship fund if you fall behind on your water bill and owe more than a certain amount.
At Thames Water you can apply for the Customer Assistance Fund if you owe the supplier more than £120 and receive certain means-tested benefits.
The supplier will work with you to agree on an affordable monthly payment.
This will be based on your income and outgoings and the plan will stay in place for two years.
The payment will cover your current charges and paying towards your debt.
It will not impact your credit score.
Meanwhile, at United Utilities you can apply for help online if you are unable to pay your bill.
You can get help with water and or sewer charges and in certain circumstances you may be able to get white goods and beds.
Only one item is available per applicant.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
