MSE News: On disability benefits? You could save £100s on water bills from 2027 with WaterSure

MSE_Abby

More people with disabilities will qualify for a cap on their water bills from next year, the Government has announced. The plans will see the existing WaterSure discount scheme expanded to cover an additional 53,000 households getting certain benefits in England and Wales. Here's what you need to know…

Read the full story:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/03/watersure-scheme-eligibility-changes/

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Ridersbolt

I am with South West Water who are one of the most costly water companies in England. Last year I phoned them to ask if I could go on their social tariff. I live alone, receive PIP, state pension and guaranteed pension credit due to disabilities. I have a medical condition which I explained to them. They told me I didn't qualify because I don't use enough water! I explained that as an environmentally conscious person, I use water sparingly, am physically unable to get in my bath and have water butts for outdoor use. They still advised I wasn't eligible. I am currently paying £16 per month and am on a water meter. Has anyone else been told they have to use a certain amount before being eligable?

QrizB

Has anyone else been told they have to use a certain amount before being eligable?

South West Water's "Watercare" social tariff is intended for households where their water bill is more than 5% of their income.

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/household/help-support/financial-support

Your pension and Pension Credit will probably give you a monthly income of over £900 a month. 5% of that would be £45 a month.

If you're only having to pay £16 a month, your bill is lower than that.

bodorange

Here, where water is billed to Affinity and waste to Thames Water, the social tariff consists of a fixed water charge and a reduced waste rate. Taking the flat rate water charge in isolation, you need to use over 200L per day in order to benefit. The metered (-50%) waste water rate obviously alters that and complicates comparison. But it does seem the social water tariffs don't encourage water conservation.