Cheapest option? Social Tariff or Water Meter. Severn Trent

TonySJ

Hi All,
My brother lives on his own in a rented (council) OAP 1 bedroom bungalow and his wife suddenly passed away just over 1 week ago. Now he retired to look after his wife but never claimed any form of benefit. Her State Pension was what they lived on plus spending some of there savings to top it up. He doesn't have a work pension as he cashed it in to clear debts and doesn't get his State Pension until May 2026. His income is £0000 and due to the savings doesn't qualify for Universal Credit as hes judt over the limit with savings so his only option is to cut back on everything to get by. 
He's currently not on a water meter so probably pays too much but which is going to be cheaper as he doesnt use much water anyway.
1) Social Tariff
2) Water meter.
He's with Severn Trent.
Thanks.
Tony.

QrizB

Based on other threads, I suspect the water meter will be the cheaper option.

Tescodealqueen

It would be worth contacting either DWP or Age Uk or other charity if he feels able as there may be other benefits like Bereavement Support Allowance he may qualify for. Also things like Council Tax benefit if he will be living alone. I do appreciate that it is a difficult time but with the benefits system it is important to get in touch as soon as possible as in most cases backdating is limited. You may be able to make initial enquiries on his behalf and gov.uk has some useful information

Bigphil1474

He definitely needs to seek advice from CAB or Age UK, or look online for him. He may have been entitled to carers allowance which can be backdated for 3 months. It's £83 a week, so worth looking into.

My dad lived alone in the Severn Trent area , on a meter, and he was paying about £10 a month for his water. To be fair he was getting water for his garden from an unmetered neighbour, but was hardly using anything. Loads cheaper than the rates amount. As above, he will get 25% discount on council tax. There is a government tell us once service for bereavement - should stop any overpayment on his wife's pension. Worth checking if his wife had any life insurance which might tide him over. If he's just over the limit on savings, make sure he uses the savings for essentials until he is below the limit, then re-apply.

TonySJ

Thanks for the advice. 
I got a responce from Serven trent water about which would be cheaper and although they couldn't give a guesstimate for the Social Tariff they did say a single person in metered flat/terrace would typically be £278 a year and it's usually the cheapest option.
I've completed the Bereavement Support Application yesterday with him and submitted that but I can't think of any avenues of help for him, anyone point or suggest a few options I'd appreciate it. 
Thanks again.

Tescodealqueen

Definitely contact local authority about council tax reduction and Age Uk have lots of useful information. If he has ever served in any of the armed services Royal British Legion and SSAFA also are really helpful

Bigphil1474

There's another thread about the social tarriff which seems to confirm that the social tarriff isn't that good for a low user on a meter, so probably best sticking with that. 

TonySJ

Thanks everyone. Water meter it is then.