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Denbighshire County Council is working in partnership with Welsh Water to highlight schemes that may be able to help make water bills more affordable.
Welsh Water’s HelpU tariff helps households by putting a cap on the amount they have to pay for water to reduce future payments.
According to the analytics company Policy in Practice, nearly six million UK households are eligible for, but are not claiming, £900 million of water social tariffs each year.
People are being urged to check whether they qualify for the HelpU tariff which could save customers up to £200 per household per year.
Emails and letters are being sent to residents in Denbighshire to highlight the support available and encourage applications. Currently, only 2,253 Denbighshire households are benefiting from this tariff as many people are simply unaware of it.
If you qualify for the HelpU tariff, Welsh Water will cap your water bill, so you won’t pay over a certain amount for the year. The annual HelpU charge for this financial year is £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage).
To qualify for the tariff, someone in the household must receive at least one means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit and the combined annual household income must be on or under the threshold for the household size, for example, £11,600 for one occupant, £17,400 for two and £18,800 for three or more people in the household.
In its 2023 Cost of Living research, water services regulator Ofwat found nearly one in four households were struggling with water bills yet only 7% of households surveyed reported receiving any financial support from their water company. Meanwhile, the Consumer Council for Water reported only 16% of households consider their water bills to be affordable.
Rebecca Price, Customer Services Director, Welsh Water said: “We are committed to putting the needs of our customers first to support the most vulnerable in society. Working together helps us ensure we continue to help those who need it most.
“We offer a range of schemes which might be able to help if you are in receipt of benefits or have a low income. If you use more water due to a higher household size or medical condition, the Bill Cap-WaterSure Wales tariff puts a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water. Alternatively, our Cymuned Support Fund is a scheme offering short term support to working households who are struggling to afford the essentials.
“We urge Denbighshire residents to get in touch to find out how we can help you with your payments and discuss the best options moving forward.”
Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets said: “Everyone should have access to affordable water. I would encourage all residents in Denbighshire to check if they are eligible for cheaper water bills.
“Many people are not aware they are entitled to these schemes so it’s important we highlight them to ensure residents are maximising their household incomes.
“We’re keen to offer ongoing help and support together with our partners especially to those struggling with day-to-day costs to support economic growth and help communities to thrive.
“If you’re struggling to pay or are worried about any of your bills, please contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire for free, confidential advice.”
* For more information on all the schemes and to apply online, visit www.dwrcymru.com/costoflivingdenbighshire.
If you’re unsure if you are eligible, or would like help with your application, contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0145, or Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0808 278 7933 / www.cadenbighshire.co.uk.
Alternatively, check what you could be entitled to with the benefit calculators - www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
