Free Help withRising Water Bills
With water bills rising yet again from 1 April, local community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) is urging anyone in East Sussex who is struggling with their water bills or water debt to contact its free advice service (01424 390 062): many local people may be eligible for big reductions that they simply don’t know about.
Water bills rose again on 1 April by 8% for Southern Water and 7% for South East Water. However, in East Sussex, if your household income is low then you should be eligible for either a 45%+ (Southern Water) or a 30-50% (South East Water) discount on your bill. Low means less than £22,020 (excluding any disability benefits). Others who may be eligible include households with three or more children aged under 19 living at home, and those with someone who needs more water because of a medical condition.
One of ESC’s advisers was recently able to save a local household over £400 on their water bills after they’d wrongly been told that they weren’t entitled to a discount.
Local residents can also apply for these discounts directly using the following links:
- Southern Water: southernwater.co.uk/help-and-support/what-if-i-cant-pay-my-bill
- South East Water: southeastwater.co.uk/help/priority-services/help-paying-your-bill
Alternatively, if you think you might be eligible and need some help finding out or applying, then call Energise Sussex Coast’s free advice line on 01424 390062 (local rates) or email [email protected].
ESC is also running a free weekly drop-in advice service in Hastings: 9.30am-12 noon every Thursday at HFS Essentials in Priory Meadow, TN34 1PH (opposite Primark).
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