Water rates for Disabled

Driver62

I live in Northumberland and I’m a 64‑year‑old father caring for my 34‑year‑old disabled son. We’re both on UC, and I receive Carer’s Allowance. He receives the highest disability rate.

Our water bill has been fairly steady for years at around £25 per month, but it has suddenly jumped to £75 per month.

There used to be a support option if your bill went above a certain amount — roughly £27 per month — although we were always just below the threshold. I can’t seem to find any trace of that scheme now.

Does anyone know how to apply for discounts or reduced tariffs? The website keeps sending me in circles.

unforeseen

Assuming that you come under Northumbrian Water, is the following page helpful? 

https://www.nwl.co.uk/help-and-support/financial-support/financial-support-eligibility-checker/

elsien

What are your monthly bills based on? Rateable value or a water meter? 

If it’s a water meter are the readings correct?

My first port of call would be to check why my usage has increased. 

Driver62

We have a water meter and have had it for many years now. If anything we are using far less water now than in past years.

QrizB

Driver62 said:

We have a water meter and have had it for many years now. If anything we are using far less water now than in past years.

Have you checked your recent water bill?

Has your water consumption increased, or is it a catch-up bill after previous estimated bills?

elsien

Driver62 said:

We have a water meter and have had it for many years now. If anything we are using far less water now than in past years.

Is that your perception or is that borne out by the meter readings? Also as above you need to check the bill to see if your payments have been covering the amount you’ve been using.
It would be unusual for the amount to stay the same over a number of years

Driver62

It is my perception based on the fact no one is in the house for 6 weeks of the year now, we do not have a bath now as we only use a wet room shower, we do not have a hot tub now which would take lots of water. I have never seen a meter reading and the account page does not give me an option to see past readings and statements. 
The only help they appear to offer is if you are in areas, which I am not, or to offer to take money directly off benefits, which doesn't really make things easier for anyone but themselves.

QrizB

Driver62 said:

 I have never seen a meter reading and the account page does not give me an option to see past readings and statements. 

That's puzzling.

I'm not in Northumbria but my metered water bills all show the water meter readings. And my water company allows me to download my bills from their website.

Do you still get water bills in the post?

elsien

Driver62 said:

It is my perception based on the fact no one is in the house for 6 weeks of the year now, we do not have a bath now as we only use a wet room shower, we do not have a hot tub now which would take lots of water. I have never seen a meter reading and the account page does not give me an option to see past readings and statements. 
The only help they appear to offer is if you are in areas, which I am not, or to offer to take money directly off benefits, which doesn't really make things easier for anyone but themselves.

If you have a water meter then there must be readings somewhere? Unless they put a meter in but then never used it, as happened with my mother.  How do you get your bills and what does the most recent one say?

Driver62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81843029#Comment_81843029

I have a paper bill now, which shows a slightly different story
Water usage
fixed charge - 184 days at £59.96 per year = £30.23
Usage - 44.00 m3 at £1.5254 per m3 = £67.12

Sewage
fixed charge - 184 days at £124.93 per year = £62.98
usage - 44.00 m3 at £1.3523 per m3 = £59.50

New charge this bill £219.83

Current ballance £42.45
Total left to pay £75.00

est charge over next 11 month £491.25

We will take one payment of £75.00 followed by £42.0 per month starting 15th February 2026

QrizB

44 cubic metres over 184 days is around 240 litres a day. That's on the right ballpark for a two-person household.

What was your water consumption last year? Similar, or less?