Big water bill

tina08

I split up with my husband and am now a single parent of 2, on benefits.
I have just received a huge water bill (nearly £800) and don't have a clue how I am going to pay it.
I have a water meter and before the marriage breakdown, we paid by direct debit.
Does anyone know how much the water company will want weekly for this debt? I think it can be taken out of my benefits.
Thank You for any help.

bigpeterlg

hi tina

i think that the best option due to the size of your bill would be to claim water direct.

to claim this, you must be reciving income support or receiving job seekers allowance and not have more that 2 deductions from your benifits.

the dwp will limit (cap) the ammount taken to pay for the arrears as well as towards you current bill.

another option could be to see if you water has a charitable fund that could assist you with payment of the bills.

tina08

thank you!
Will look into it tomorrow.

Poppycat

I knows its too late now, but I always find to keep notes of your usage including gas/electric and update the readings to the utilities so that you never accrue such a large bill in future. £800 is a awful lot so I can only assume either your DD wasn't sufficient, you have a leak, or meter is at fault which I gather is rare

Check http://www.entitledto.co.uk/ if you are entitled to any extra benefits

Try and cut down on usage for utils wherever possible if you haven't already, fit low energy bulbs etc. Maybe able to get grant for insulation to house from warmfront subject to income or whether you need it

It all helps check benefit forum for any advice.

tina08

thanks for the help.
There were 7 of us living here until last year, when my older children moved out and my husband, so now there is just me and 2 young children and a soap dodging teenager!
I don't think the direct debit was taking enough to cover the debt.
I know my water usage is a lot lower now though.

tina08

Not my day today!
Just got a letter asking for £25 a week to pay the debt off
There is no chance of me paying that. I do have the letter to apply for a united utilities trust fund, to pay the past debt and start fresh. So will gt that sorted as soon as possible.
Arrgghh my life is such a mess at the moment.

rebecca431

hi just put a post on about this. The water company now PAY half your bill for you if its over £600. Take a look....
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=11494189#post11494189