Southeast water social tariff

Davidasanga

Hi. I currently receive the South East Social tariff eligibility for which is assessed by income and not savings/capital. Next year I will receive a tax free pension lump sum and am unsure whether this will affect my eligibility for the social tariff. Does anyone know? 

The charity Scope (https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/lump-sum-payments-and-benefits) states that for the Department of Work and Pensions, 'Lump sums and one-off payments are treated as capital rather than income. Most lump sums will count towards your savings.'  And the Low Income Tax Reform Group (https://www.litrg.org.uk/pensions/pension-withdrawals/pension-income-impact-state-benefits) says: 'One-off or irregular sums taken from pensions could be treated as capital for the purposes of means-tested state benefits, and regular amounts taken from pensions are likely to be treated as income.'

What isn't clear to me is whether South East Water, like the DWP, treat the one-off tax free pension lump sum as capital/savings rather than income when a person is begin assessed for the social tariff.

QrizB

This is the same question you asked a couple of days ago:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602122/south-east-water-social-tariff-and-tax-free-pension-lump-sum

You received a few answers in that thread.

I think you might have to ask Southeast Water if you want an authoritative answer.