Thousands of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are set to receive significant help with their water bills, the Labour Government has confirmed.
The WaterSure assistance programme is being extended tosupport an additional 53,000 low-income households who receive disability benefits with their water costs.
Under reforms announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, individuals claiming disability living allowance, attendance allowance, or PIP will now qualify for the scheme, provided their household earnings fall below £25,745 annually.
The changes also eliminate the previous requirement for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) applicants to obtain and pay for medical documentation from their doctor.
Water bills capped for 53,000 more households on DWP benefits as Labour expands cost of living scheme
| GETTYCurrent recipients of WaterSure support will additionally benefit from modifications to how the price cap is calculated, with most seeing extra savings reaching up to £100.
Approximately 260,000 households currently receive assistance through the programme, with participants saving an average of £325 on their annual bills, according to Defra figures.
To qualify for WaterSure, households must have a metered water supply installed and demonstrate high water consumption.
This elevated usage must stem from either a specific medical condition requiring substantial water use or having three or more children residing in the home.
Billions of pounds in benefits are estimated to be overpaid due to fraud or error each year | GB NEWS/DWPThe scheme functions by capping bills for eligible customers whose circumstances necessitate using significant quantities of water for essential purposes, protecting them from charges that would otherwise reflect their actual consumption levels.
Water minister Emma Hardy said: "Vulnerable households are particularly affected by cost of living pressures, including water bills.
"Reforming WaterSure will make a meaningful difference to hundreds of thousands of families who need support the most."
She added that the reforms build upon the government's Water White Paper, which aims to champion customers and restore public trust in the water system.
Benefit fraud graphic | GETTYMike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "We're delighted the UK Government is taking forward the majority of the changes CCW recommended as part of our review of the WaterSure scheme."
He noted the reforms would bring peace of mind to thousands more customers facing rising bills.
“Many households are grappling with rising water bills, and these reforms will help relieve some of that pressure through extending support to more of the most vulnerable customers and also increasing the value of that financial assistance, in many cases.”
James Taylor, director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: "Life costs more if you are disabled, and it's very good news that more disabled families will qualify for discounted water bills."
Not having water rates is a big saving for Pam | PAHe highlighted that water costs for some disabled households can reach extremely high levels.
Mr Taylor explained that many disabled families face unavoidable circumstances requiring greater water consumption, including more frequent washing of themselves and their clothing.
Additionally, some households must use substantial amounts of water for medical procedures carried out at home, leaving them with little choice but to incur higher bills through no fault of their own.