UK Bill Help

Northumbrian Water will provide struggling customers with advice on where they can get assistance for their water bills. Some examples of potential solutions include WaterDirect, Tariffs, counselling or even the use of payment programmes. Families should call the supplier as soon as possible, before they are faced with some type of shut off of their service.

Savings and discounted water bill plans

Customers have a couple options. Savings from the WaterSure Tariff Scheme is one way households on a low income, including tenants, to get some relief. Note, to be eligible, the property needs to have a meter on it. In addition, there needs to be dependent children in the home, someone receiving benefits, or the household member that receives their service from Northumbrian Water needs to have a somewhat serious medical condition.

If the individual would be faced with a financial hardship, this Tariff could help limit the amount they need to pay each and every month. In fact, the amount they will have to pay out on their account will be closer to what an average household will use in a typical month, or their actual usage, whichever is lower.

When applying for Watersure, proof of hardship and evidence of the financial condition is needed. This will be done to confirm the customer is truly struggling or has an illness. The specialist from Northumbrian may also need to contact your local Job Centre Plus to confirm details of your application. Any financial aid will start at the beginning of the billing period in question.

Also inquire into the Government Social Tariff. Many suppliers, including Northumbrian Water, are working with the government and local authorities in an effort to pass on reduced charges. This can be effective for both water and sewer costs. The assistance is for low income customers and households that can’t pay their entire bill on their own each month. While the savings will vary, in some cases the government may require up to a 25% discount to be provided.

While application conditions will vary, the social support is for those that are low income, disabled, or seniors. They may also have a young child under the age of 5 living with them in the household. The tariff is limited in number of people that can be helped.

Services available from Northumbria

Northumbrian Water may offer payment plans too. Call them as soon as you think you may struggle. While any terms will vary based on the customer’s income, the amount of their monthly water bill, and other factors, they may agree to fixed weekly or monthly payments on any arrears on the account. This can help pay down any balance over time.

The company will try to determine exactly how much you can afford to pay towards your bills each month, and then spread any other outstanding debts over multiple months if need be. Specialists can also explore all other payment programmes with the customer that is facing a hardship. Call in order to work out some type of arrangement before any steps of the debt recovery process begins.

Free advice is available from a number of Northumbrian Water partners. They refer customers to not-for-profit counselling agencies. They include StepChange (telephone 0800 138 1111), the National Debtline (0808 808 4000), Christians Against Poverty (call 0800 328 0006) and some people may even benefit from calling the Legal Services Commission.

Each of these agencies can provide people with suggestions on how to improve their financial situation. They can get more information on any private schemes, or some charities may even offer grants. Regardless, the centres can get another source of information.

Another streamlined payment option is for those individuals on government benefits. They can have the amount they owe on their bills automatically deducted from their account as part of WaterDirect. While this is not a form of financial support, it will help ensure a payment is not missed.

For information on these or any other water assistance plans, call 0345 733 5566. Northumbrian Water is also located at Abbey Road, Pity Me, Co Durham, DH1 5FJ. Specialists from the company will provide individuals who are behind on their bills with options.