How to cap your water bill if you are on benefits and use a lot of water
Key points
- If you are on Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit and use a lot of water due to a medical condition or having three or more children at home, you may be able to cap your bill at the average rate for your area
- You can apply directly through your water company — you will need a water meter first, which most companies will fit for free
- A 2026 government reform will expand the scheme from 2027, allowing more people on disability benefits to qualify and removing the need to get a doctor's note
Water bills can be a real pressure when money is tight. But if you use a lot of water and you are already on a qualifying benefit, you may be able to fix your bill at the average rate for your area — no matter how much you actually use. This is called the WaterSure scheme.
What WaterSure does
WaterSure caps your water bill at the average metered bill for customers in your water company's area. Instead of paying for every litre you use, your bill stays at that set level.
If your household needs a lot of water, the difference to what you pay can be significant. You still get access to all the water you need — you just stop paying more because you use more.
You must have a water meter installed to use this scheme. If you do not have one, most water companies will fit one for free when you ask.
Who can apply
You need to meet two conditions.
First, you or your partner must be getting one of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
Second, your household must use a lot of water for one of these reasons:
- a medical condition that means someone at home needs to use extra water — for example, a skin condition needing frequent bathing, or a condition causing incontinence
- three or more children living at home
It does not matter whether you rent or own. Tenants can apply just the same as homeowners.
How to apply
Contact your water company and ask about WaterSure. The eligibility rules are the same everywhere, but each company handles its own applications. You can find your water company's contact details on your water bill.
Citizens Advice can help you apply if you are unsure where to start or if your company is not being helpful.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →More people will qualify from 2027
In 2026, the government announced the biggest update to WaterSure since the scheme started in 1999. From 2027, the scheme will expand so that people who receive certain disability benefits can also apply, as long as their household income is below a set level.
The 2027 update will also remove the requirement to get a doctor's note when you apply. This makes the process quicker, cheaper, and easier for everyone.
If you do not qualify right now, it is worth checking again once the new rules come in.
Get free help
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential money and housing advice. They can check whether you qualify for WaterSure, help you talk to your water company, and support you if your application is refused.
Frequently asked questions
What if I am not sure whether my medical condition qualifies?
Citizens Advice can help — they offer free, confidential support and can check whether your situation qualifies and guide you through the application to your water company.
Does WaterSure apply outside England?
Wales has a separate WaterSure Wales scheme with similar rules. Scotland has WaterSure Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own water bill support arrangements — check with your local water authority.
Official source: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/