Thousands of struggling households could slash water bills by half with £135m support fund – are you eligible?

THOUSANDS of struggling households could see their water bills slashed by half under a new support scheme.

Anglian Water has launched a £135million package to help 330,000 customers struggling to pay their bills.

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The news comes after Anglican Water introduced a £65million support package earlier in the year to help struggling households.

The water company is offering a range of services to support struggling customers.

And some customers will be eligible for discounted tariffs that could slash their bills by up to 50%.

Others can get affordable payment plans, payment holidays in certain circumstances, and direct support through the Anglian Water Assistance Fund.

The fund helps to cover the cost of bills and could even clear your water debt if you’re in arrears.

Customers in need of support should contact the water company directly – through their website, Twitter, Facebook or by calling the Anglican Water extra care team on 0800 169 3630.

The recent announcement means that Anglican Water has invested a total of £190million to help customers this year alone.

It comes as millions of households saw their water bills increase by up to £36 back in April.

That’s because the average combined water bill rose from £412 a year to £419 on April 1, according to WaterUK.

Anglian Water is also helping customers work out if they could be eligible for government benefits.

In 2021-22 alone, £1.7million of potential benefits were identified and highlighted to those who may qualify for extra help, with some customers receiving up to £3,000 of extra benefits following Anglian Water’s assessment.  

Anglian Water’s director of customer and wholesale services, Pete Holland said: “We’re proud of the support that we’ve already provided, but given the incredibly challenging reality for so many, we wanted to go even further to help our customers.

“That’s why, just four months after we announced support for this year, we are launching our largest-ever package for those struggling with the cost of living.

“So, whatever the circumstances, our message to customers is: if you’re struggling, please get in touch. The sooner we talk, the sooner we can help.”

Am I eligible?

If you are struggling with your water bill, the first thing to do is get in contact with your provider.

Anglian Water’s extra care service will help customers come up with plans to help them manage their bills including discounted tariffs, affordable payment plans or “breathing space”, which gives you a short payment break to get on top of your finances.

Earlier in the year, Wendy, 79, from Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, discovered that she was entitled to a housing benefit worth £200 a month after contacting Anglian Water.

Wendy said: “I have kept myself afloat over the last couple of years, but the huge uplift in the cost of living has put me under considerable strain – both mentally and financially.

“An annual increase of £60 a year in my water bills caused me grave concern.

“It might not be a lot to most people, but when you haven’t been able to afford a new pair of shoes in over two years, it is.”

What help is on offer from other water companies?

Anglian Water is not the only water company that offers customers help with water bills.

Some water companies offer matching schemes that can help you write off some of your debt and clear it quicker.

These schemes can match every £1 you pay off your arrears if you stick to a payment plan, or could even wipe out your debt entirely.

Thames Water, South West Water, Severn Trent and United Utilities are some providers offering the help.

Even if you’re not eligible for financial support there are some tricks that can help you slash your water bills.

How can I slash my water bills at home?

Moving to a water meter could help some save some extra cash.

One mum more than halved her water bill after getting a meter – saving over £200 a year.

However, if you do use a lot of water then it makes no sense to have a meter as your bills could go up.

The Consumer Council for Water offers a free water meter calculator that’ll tell you if you can save by fitting a water meter.

For example, if you have a big family and more people than bedrooms or simply use lots of water-intensive appliances like washing machines or dishwashers, a fixed fee will be better for you.

Having a water meter doesn’t help with the standard charge that’s based on where you live either, but it can help you cut down the costs of your personal usage at home.

Part of that is how long you spend in the shower too.

According to Uswitch, you could cut £70 from your energy bills and reduce your water bills too by reducing your wash time.

And leaving the water running while you brush your teeth could add £60 a year to your bills says Octopus.

The same goes for washing dishes, be sure you turn the tap off as if you’re doing it in the sink, leaving it running will add £25 to your annual bill.

Many water companies offer free water-saving devices that shave pounds off your bills too – which can slash your bills by hundreds every year.

Contact your supplier or check out savewatersavemoney.co.uk.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk