Water and Sewage Releif Charges

Al_Ross

Okay my son is severely mentally disabled; Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia, was first diagnosed over 5 years ago. He has tried working and managed some college courses but keeps relapsing. Currently been in hospital 5 months so far this time, this was made worse by changing his meds to ones that made him worse, now on something different and some improvement.

We have recently managed to persuade him to start claiming benefits he lives in a flat owned by his parents, but never claimed anything before such as council tax relief or universal credit. They seem to be agreeing to this, but he has received a bill for water and sewage charge, seems a bit steep as he hasn’t lived in the flat for over a year.

So, my question is, is there such a thing as water and sewage relief for low income/severely disabled people?

kaMelo

Al_Ross said:

Okay my son is severely mentally disabled; Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia, was first diagnosed over 5 years ago. He has tried working and managed some college courses but keeps relapsing. Currently been in hospital 5 months so far this time, this was made worse by changing his meds to ones that made him worse, now on something different and some improvement.

We have recently managed to persuade him to start claiming benefits he lives in a flat owned by his parents, but never claimed anything before such as council tax relief or universal credit. They seem to be agreeing to this, but he has received a bill for water and sewage charge, seems a bit steep as he hasn’t lived in the flat for over a year.

So, my question is, is there such a thing as water and sewage relief for low income/severely disabled people?

There is some relief offered for low income households. I think it's called WaterSure or something like that and offered through water companies.
It would also be better to know your relationship to this person, are you a parent or not?
Who is responsible for the bills for the flat?

calcotti

Agree with previous post. Try approaching the water company and ask about schemes to support those on low income.

Al_Ross

kaMelo said:

Al_Ross said:

Okay my son is severely mentally disabled; Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia, was first diagnosed over 5 years ago. He has tried working and managed some college courses but keeps relapsing. Currently been in hospital 5 months so far this time, this was made worse by changing his meds to ones that made him worse, now on something different and some improvement.

We have recently managed to persuade him to start claiming benefits he lives in a flat owned by his parents, but never claimed anything before such as council tax relief or universal credit. They seem to be agreeing to this, but he has received a bill for water and sewage charge, seems a bit steep as he hasn’t lived in the flat for over a year.

So, my question is, is there such a thing as water and sewage relief for low income/severely disabled people?

There is some relief offered for low income households. I think it's called WaterSure or something like that and offered through water companies.
It would also be better to know your relationship to this person, are you a parent or not?
Who is responsible for the bills for the flat?

Thanks for the info.Being my son,that makes me his father.His mother and me have always taken care of the bills and I paid him a weely allowance for food.I was made redundant 6 months ago and still looking for work,so its getting harder.The bills are all in his name though.

poppy12345

Ther watersure scheme maybe possible but it will totally depend on their medical conditions and whether they use a lot of water because of them. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/

Alice_Holt

"he has received a bill for water and sewage charge, seems a bit steep as he hasn’t lived in the flat for over a year."

Have a water meter installed.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/paying-your-water-bill/changing-to-a-water-meter/

Al_Ross

We are in Scotland,don't think we have water meters here,he would use very little water.Zero in the flat during the last 12 months.

Alice_Holt

Al_Ross said:

he would use very little water. Zero in the flat during the last 12 months.

    Which is exactly why I suggested a water meter.
    Charges would be minimal compared with to being charged based on the rateable value of the property.

   Appears you may be wrong in assuming "in Scotland, don't think we have water meters"
https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/your-home/your-charges/water-meters
"We’re keen to encourage and help you become more water efficient in your home and garden. You may benefit from installing a water meter to track the amount of water you use. A water meter will track the amount of water you use within your property. Your bill will include metered water and waste water charges based on the volumes of water used."

   In any case contact your water supplier, to see if they can bill on an equivalent basis.  Check to see if there is a discount / help for installation costs for customers on means-tested benefits.
Does your water company have a Trust to help financially challenged customers?
Have you actually spoken to the Water company ? 
Have you looked into the Water Charges Reduction Scheme (WCRS) ?

poppy12345

Al_Ross said:

We are in Scotland,don't think we have water meters here,he would use very little water.Zero in the flat during the last 12 months.

A water metre can be installed in Scotland... see link. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/water/water-and-sewerage-s/water-meters-s/

kaMelo

poppy12345 said:

Ther watersure scheme maybe possible but it will totally depend on their medical conditions and whether they use a lot of water because of them. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/

I was not completely on point with my reply. You are of course correct, WaterSure is about  capping bills for those who have medical need to use lots of water.
There is additionally scheme for low income households, separate to WaterSure, offered by water companies to cap bills for those who qualify.

To the OP, The reason I asked about your relationship to him was in your original post you spoke about yourself as a parent and later referred to yourself (his parents) in the third person.

Al_Ross

kaMelo said:

poppy12345 said:

Ther watersure scheme maybe possible but it will totally depend on their medical conditions and whether they use a lot of water because of them. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/

I was not completely on point with my reply. You are of course correct, WaterSure is about  capping bills for those who have medical need to use lots of water.
There is additionally scheme for low income households, separate to WaterSure, offered by water companies to cap bills for those who qualify.

To the OP, The reason I asked about your relationship to him was in your original post you spoke about yourself as a parent and later referred to yourself (his parents) in the third person.

Sorry,grammer is not my best skill,but thanks everyone who replied with some great advice,