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April 2024 Updates

Saving on Your Water Bills

Although unlike Gas and Electric bills this isn’t an option with water bills. However there are ways in which you can save money on your bills

Discounts

Most Water companies have a Social Tariff scheme for those customers that are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.

Water Sure Scheme

The Water Sure Scheme caps your bill at a lower amount regardless of how much water you use.

Who Qualifies for help from the Water Sure Scheme

  • Be on a Water Metre or have applied for one and be waiting for it to be installed or be paying an assessed charge because it’s not possible to fit a metre at your property
  • In receipt of certain benefits
  • Have a high essential use of water High

High Essential Use of Water

 High essential use of water this means:

  • someone in the household has a medical conditionfor which they need to use a lot of water, or
  • you have three children or more under 19 and in full-time education living in your household.

The person with the medical condition or the children under 19 must use the property as their main home.

People who have one of the following medical conditions will automatically qualify for Water Sure, as long as they meet all the other qualifying conditions:

  • desquamation (flaky skin disease)
  • weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)
  • incontinence
  • abdominal stomas
  • renal failure requiring dialysis at home  - although you won't qualify for Water Sure if you're already getting a contribution to your water costs from the NHS
  • Crohn's disease
  • ulcerative colitis

You can also apply for Water Sure if there is someone in your household who has another medical condition which means using higher than average amounts of water. Water companies will ask for details from a doctor.

Qualifying Benefits

If you or someone in your household gets is in receipt of one of the following benefits listed below you may be eligible for the Water Sure Scheme:

  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit awarded at a rate higher than the family element

Applying for Water Sure

You need to contact your local water company or check their website for further information and details of the application process.

If you don’t know the details of your local water company, you can use find your local water supplier tool on Water UK website. 

Once accepted for either scheme, you qualify until your circumstances change and you no longer require help. However, you will have to reapply or confirm that you remain eligible every 12 months. Your water company should remind you to do this.

It is worth contacting your local water company, even if you think you might not be eligible for the WaterSure Scheme, as they may be able to offer you a more flexible payment option or other help.

 

TV Licence

You need a TV licence to watch or record live programmes on any TV channel, including BBC channels.

You also need a licence to watch BBC programmes using BBC iPlayer – whether you're watching live or watching a downloaded programme on your TV, computer, tablet or smartphone.

A standard TV licence costs £159 per year. However, you might be eligible for a discount or even a free TV licence. 

Exemption and Discounts

  • If you're 75 or over and you receive Pension Credit you can claim a free TV licence. It'll cover you and anyone you live with, regardless of their age. (If you are not in receipt of Pension Credit and would like to check if you are entitled then call our Advice &Information Team for a Benefit Check. You can also use the Age UK Benefits Calculator to check your entitlement)

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/benefits-calculator/

  • If you're blind or you have a severe sight impairment you can claim a 50% discount on your licence. If you live with anyone else, the licence needs to be in your name in order for your household to get the discount.
  • If you live in a care home or sheltered housing you might be eligible for an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence, which costs £7.50. You'll only need a licence if you watch TV in your own separate accommodation, rather than in a communal space such as a residents' lounge. Speak to your warden or administrator to find out whether your care home or sheltered housing qualifies for this type of licence.

Claiming TV Licence DiscountIf you're 75 or over and you receive Pension Credit

Once you turn 75 you need to apply for your free TV licence – they're not given out automatically. Contact TV Licensing on 0300 790 6117 for an application form, or apply online.

If you’re blind or you have a serious sight impairment 

Contact TV Licensing on 0300 790 6117 or apply online. Once you’re registered, your TV licence renewals will all be at the discounted rate. You’ll need to provide:

  • a photocopy of the certificate from your local authority ophthalmologist confirming that you’re blind or sight-impaired
  • your TV licence application form and fee.

If you live in a care home or sheltered housing

Contact the warden or administrator where you live – they can apply for an ARC licence for you.

 

Are you a Carer?

Carer's Allowance is the main welfare benefit to help carers. You may be able to claim it even if you don't think of yourself as a Carer.

What is Carer's Allowance?

If you care for someone you could be entitled to some extra money each week if you meet the eligibility criteria outlined below.

Many people don't think of themselves as a Carer, but if you look after a partner, friend or relative who would find it difficult to manage without your support, then you're a Carer.

You don't have to be related to the person you care for to claim, but you won't be paid extra if you care for more than one person. 

How much Carer's Allowance could I get?

For April 2023-2024, Carer's Allowance is worth £76.75 per week and is usually paid every 4 weeks.

What you might get if you get your State Pension

If your State Pension is more than the Carer's Allowance amount of £76.75 you might not be paid any Carer's Allowance. However, a successful Carer's Allowance claim will still give you an 'underlying entitlement' to it. This entitlement could mean you get extra money with any means-tested benefits you claim, such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit. 

If you're under State Pension age, you'll also get National Insurance credits each week towards your pension.

Find out more about State Pension

What you might get if you claim Universal Credit

If you claim Universal Credit, you may be able to get an extra amount because of your caring role, which is known as a 'carer element'. Am I eligible for Carer's Allowance?

You could be eligible if you:

  • spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who's ill or has a disability
  • care for someone who receives the higher-rate or middle-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, either rate of Personal Independence Payment daily living component, any rate of Attendance Allowance, or another relevant benefit
  • don't earn more than £139 a week (after deductions)
  • aren't in full-time education

You don't have to be related to or live with the person you care for to claim Carer's Allowance. It's extra money each week for you to use as you want or need to.

If you think you won't be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance because you have some savings, don't worry. Your savings and your National Insurance record won’t make a difference to your claim.

How do I claim Carer's Allowance?

There are a couple of ways to make a Carer's Allowance claim. You can:

After you submit your claim, you'll receive a decision in writing that will tell you if you have been awarded Carer's Allowance and from what date.