Help for low income customers

Hey ​@DaveThorn76, 

Thank you so much for keeping us updated on your progress! We're eager to see how this might affect your next bill. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out. 

Though I would jump back on here, as I’d like to point something out…

I recently applied to Thames Water to see if I could get any help from them, due to my being on Low Income and currently out of work.

After submitting my income and expenditure, this is the reply I received:
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for sending us your income and expenditure information. 
 
We’re pleased to tell you that you’ve been accepted onto our WaterHelp scheme. Your standard rate water bills will be discounted by 50% from 07/02/2026. We’ve also set you up on an affordable payment plan to clear your balance. 
 

Water Help does not impact your credit score.

We’ve added a payment break to your account 
After looking at your financial situation, we’ve now applied a payment break of three months to your account. We hope this makes things a bit easier. The break will be effective from 16/02/2026 to 16/05/2026. 

What happens next?  
There is nothing for you to do. You’ll receive the details of your plan in a separate communication within the next 10 working days.  

Half price water for those on low income, even if it is just temporary…. now THAT is amazing.

What a shame Energy Companies like OVO cannot do this!

Agree, WaterHelp is amazing! But please, keep your eye on your bills. Last year they accidentally removed it from me. So, I had to call them explaining what went wrong… It was put back and even backdated for the months it when it was missing. Also, WaterHelp is not the cheaper (aka Social) tariff. It’s the 50% discount.

Back to OVO, they offer additional £150 support which is on top of what the government promised. I know it’s not as much as TW offers, but still a good one. 

I’m guessing the other Water Social Tariff is “WaterSure” - 

• WaterSure (Capped Rates): For customers on a water meter who receive benefits and have a large family or specific medical conditions, capping annual bills (e.g., £658 for water and wastewater in 2026-27).

WaterHelp is good enough for me, as my last bill was calculated as a new “Move in” bill from 17 December to 30 January, due to my mother passing away mid-December, and now being in a 3-bed property by myself, I use far less water, and had only got through 4 Cubic Metres that month, so the bill was only £40.08p - an average of .89p per day.
I can handle £20 a month, if only energy bills were that low, eh? :D 

WaterHelp and WaterSure are not social tariffs. They are schemes reducing the bill. Your bill is being counted in full, and then the scheme is being applied. But I agree, it’s a great help!

It’s always worth speaking to OVO’s customer service. And always check if your council or local charities have some additional support available.