Welsh Water unveils new support scheme for hard-up working households

Welsh Water, has launched a new scheme aimed at providing working household customers with support in paying their water bills.

Welsh Water’s financial assistance schemes to date have mostly targeted households on means-tested benefits which typically do not include working households. The company’s new scheme – the Cymuned (Community) Support Fund – offers short-term support to working households whose bills exceed their income.

Under this scheme, eligible households will receive a three-month “charge free” period, equating to a discount of around £100-£120 on the average annual bill. Those who think they might qualify need to apply to one of three partner organisations: Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity, or Warm Wales. The organisation will assess the household’s eligibility based on its income and expenditure and for those who are it will apply to Welsh Water for support on their behalf.

The launch follows pilot schemes in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Denbighshire over the past six months, which has supported eligible customers in reducing their annual water bills by some 25%.