Defra adjusts plans to extend WaterSure, to further widen access

(by Karma Loveday)

Defra is to bring forward secondary legislation with accompanying guidance to update the WaterSure scheme, but with some adjustments to the proposals it consulted on last summer.

The department consulted between 21 July and 1 September on the following proposed changes to the national affordability scheme, which currently caps bills for low-income households on means-tested benefits who need to use high levels of water — because they have either a qualifying medical condition or three or more children in the household — at the amount of the average household water and sewerage bill in the water company’s area.

The proposed changes included: 

• Extending the list of qualifying benefits to include non-means tested disability benefits for those claiming through a qualifying medical condition (subject to an income threshold). 

• Updating the WaterSure bill cap to the amount of the average metered or unmetered bill (whichever is lower). 

• Capping bills for single occupiers at the average bill for a single occupier. 

• Removing the option for water companies to require a medical practitioner’s note for health conditions not specifically listed in the WaterSure regulations. 

• Specifically listing more potentially qualifying medical conditions.

In its response, the Government said all proposals were welcomed, except from including non-means tested disability benefits based on an income threshold. Many respondents felt too many people would be excluded. As a result of the feedback, Defra will: 

• Increase the income threshold to mirror the benefit award of a couple on Universal Credit where a disability is present, at £25,745. This will extend support to an additional 52,897 households. 

• Exclude non‑means‑tested disability benefits from an income threshold, because this would make the application process more complex and burdensome. 

Defra has also decided not to list more qualifying medical conditions, to ensure potential applicants do not self-exclude. Instead it will instruct water companies to use inclusive language in their application process and communications to prevent self-elimination.