Check if you can pay less on your water bills
Mae'r cyngor hwn yn berthnasol i Cymru. Gweler cyngor ar gyfer Gweler cyngor ar gyfer Lloegr, Gweler cyngor ar gyfer Gogledd Iwerddon, Gweler cyngor ar gyfer Yr Alban
You might be able to get help if you have no income or a low income - or if you get benefits. You might be able to:
pay less for the water you use
apply to your water company for a cheaper rate - these are sometimes called ‘social tariffs’
get your water supplier to limit the amount you'll have to pay for water each year
It might also be worth getting a water meter if you don’t already have one.
If you can't pay your bill
The water company can’t cut off your water, but you should talk to them as soon as you can. If you don’t pay or agree how you’ll pay back what you owe, they can take you to court or take money from your benefits.
If you live alone and you don't have a water meter
Ask your water company if you’re on a ‘fixed single occupier tariff’. If you’re not, ask if they can switch you onto one - it should be a cheaper rate.
If you ask for a water meter and the water company can’t install one, they have to give you the choice to switch to a fixed single occupier tariff.
If you're disabled
If you get a disability benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you might be able to get a social tariff or a limit put on your water bill. Ask your water company what you qualify for - you should find their contact details on your bill.
If you find it hard to deal with your water company you can ask them for extra help - this is known as ‘priority services’. For example, if it’s difficult to get to your water meter, your water company might agree to move it.
You can read more about priority services on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website. The CCW is an independent organisation that gives free advice to people who have problems with their water supplier.
If you've reached State Pension age
You might be able to get a discount on your bill if either:
you get Pension Credit
your State Pension is your only income
Talk to your water company and ask what discount you can get - you should find their contact details on your bill.
If you need evidence that you get Pension Credit, you can get a proof of benefit letter on GOV.UK. You’ll need to know your national insurance number.
You can also contact the Pension Service by phone or post and ask them to send you a proof of benefit letter. Check how to contact the Pension Service on GOV.UK.
If you don’t get Pension Credit, you can check if you can get Pension Credit.
Check if you can get a social tariff
Each water company has their own rules about who can get their social tariff. For example it might depend on which benefits you get.
You can only apply if you're the main account holder named on your water contract.
Check if you can get your water company’s social tariff on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website. The CCW is an independent organisation that helps people who have problems with their water supplier.
You can also call your water supplier and ask them about what tariffs they offer. Tell them about your situation - for example:
if you’re getting any benefits
if you’re struggling to pay your water bills
Check if you can reduce the amount you have to pay
You might be able to get your water company to limit the amount you have to pay. This means you won’t pay more than a fixed amount each year. This is called the ‘WaterSure Wales scheme’.
To apply for the Watersure Wales scheme you must have a water meter and get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.
Also, one of the following must apply:
you live with 3 or more children aged under 19
you or someone you live with has a medical condition that means they use a lot of water, such as needing to shower a lot
Check if you can apply for the WaterSure Wales scheme.
If your household has no income or a low income
You might be able to get a cheaper tariff from your water company. The name of this tariff will depend on which water supplier you have.
If Dwr Cymru is your water supplier
You might be able to get a cheaper tariff called ‘Welsh Water HelpU’.
To apply for the Welsh Water HelpU tariff, all of the following must be true:
your water is only for domestic use - this means for personal use, like preparing food or showering
someone in your household must get a means-tested benefit, like Universal Credit
your household income must be below a certain amount - this depends on how many people live with you
Check if you can apply for the HelpU tariff on the Welsh Water website.
If Hafren Dyfrdwy is your water supplier
You might be able to get a cheaper tariff called the ‘Here2Help Scheme’.
To apply for the Here2Help scheme your household income must be below a certain amount. This depends on the number of 'dependants' you have.
If you have no dependants, your household income must be below £22,010.
If you have 1 or 2 dependants, your household income must be below £24,010.
If you have 3 or more dependants, your household income must be below £26,010.
Check if you can apply for the Here2Help tariff on the Hafren Dyfrdwy website.
Check ways to use less water
You can get tips on using less water in your daily life on the CCW website. The CCW is an independent organisation that gives free advice to people who have problems with their water supplier.
Check if you should get a water meter
Getting a water meter installed can help you:
keep track of how much water you use
save money because you'll only pay for the water you use
If you use a lot of water, getting a water meter might not save you money. For example, it might not save you money if you live in a big household.
You can use a water usage calculator to help you work out if a water meter can save you money. You can use the calculator on the CCW website.
Your water company might also have a calculator on their website.
If you would save money with a water meter, ask your water company to install one. You should find your water company’s contact details on your bill.
If your water company can’t give you a water meter
Your water company has to offer you another rate for your water bills instead, known as an ‘assessed charge’.
Your water company will ask you questions about how much water you use and about your home. This could include how many bedrooms you have and the number of people who live in your home.
Your water company should give you details about how much you’ll pay on the assessed charge rate so you can compare it to what you're currently paying.
If you’re struggling with living costs
If you’re struggling with money, there are things you can do to save on your regular living costs. Check what to do if you need help with living costs.
If you’re finding it hard to pay your bills, you can get help. Find out more about getting help with your bills.
You can also get help with debts.
If you're struggling to pay for food, find out how to get help from a food bank.
If you’re finding things difficult
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You should talk to your GP if your money problems are affecting your mental health.
You can find other ways to get help with your mental health on the Mind website.
If you need to speak to someone
You can speak to a trained volunteer at organisations like Samaritans or Shout.
Samaritans
Helpline: 116 123 (Monday to Sunday at any time)
Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (Monday to Sunday 7pm to 11pm)
Calls to Samaritans are free.
You can find other ways to get in touch with Samaritans on their website.
Shout
You can also text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout volunteer. Texts are free, anonymous and confidential from anywhere in the UK.
If you think it's an emergency
If you think your life or someone else’s is at risk, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you can.
You can also find a list of urgent mental health services on the Mind website.
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Adolygwyd y dudalen ar 21 Awst 2024