Social Tariffs

Social Tariffs are special pricing plans that help customers manage their water bills, especially those who may be struggling. Each water region in the UK has its own tariff, and ESP will match the tariff for each region. For more information on Social Tariffs, please refer to the charging statements section.

To apply for a Social Tariff, please complete the online form to the right. Eligibility criteria vary by region. If you’re unsure of your water region, you can use our postcode search to find out, otherwise, simply complete the form below and we will confirm the tariff applicable to your location.

Once we have received your application, a member of our Billing Team may contact you for further information on your eligibility or to discuss your application.

    Select Benefits

    • 1.Affinity Water (Central Area)

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – LIFT (Affinity Water)
      • Sewerage – WaterHelp (Thames Water)

    • 2.Anglian Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – LIFT, Aquasave
      • Sewerage – LITE, Aquasave

    • 3.Bristol Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – Restart (Bristol Water, Assist (Wessex Water), Low-income pensioner discount (Bristol Water)
      • Sewerage – Assist (Wessex Water), WaterCare (South West Water)

    • 4.Essex and Suffolk Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – SupportPlus Reduced Charges Scheme, SupportPlus Debt Support (Essex & Suffolk Water)
      • Sewerage – LITE, Aquasave (Anglian Water), Waterhelp (Thames Water)

    • 5.Northumbrian Water North

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – SupportPlus Reduced Charges, Scheme and SupportPlus Debt Support
      • Sewerage – SupportPlus Reduced Charges, Scheme and SupportPlus Debt Support

    • 6.Severn Trent Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – The Big Difference Scheme
      • Sewerage – The Big Difference Scheme

    • 7.South Staffs Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – Assure, Assure Assist (South Staffs Water)
      • Sewerage – The Big Difference Scheme (Severn Trent Water)

    • 8.South West Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – WaterCare
      • Sewerage – WaterCare

    • 9.Thames Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – WaterHelp
      • Sewerage – WaterHelp

    • 10.United Utilities

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – Help to Pay, Support Tariff (Back on Track), Low-income water-discount scheme
      • Sewerage – Help to Pay, Support Tariff (Back on Track), Low-income water-discount scheme

    • 11.Wessex Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – Assist Social Tariff
      • Sewerage – Assist Social Tariff

    • 12.Yorkshire Water

      Tariff Details:

      • Clean Water – WaterSupport
      • Sewerage – WaterSupport

    WaterSure Scheme

    If you are not eligible for a Social Tariff, you may be entitled to apply to our WaterSure Scheme.

    We provide the WaterSure tariff to customers who may be struggling to pay their bill without support. This tariff can help by putting a cap on your metered water charges.

    To qualify for the WaterSure tariff, you must meet the following:

    • Have a water meter
    • Receive a qualifying benefit below:
      • Child Tax Credit (but not if you receive only the family element)
      • Working Families Tax Credit
      • Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
      • Housing Benefit
      • Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
      • Income Support
      • Pension Credit
      • Universal Credit
    • Have either a medical condition that requires a significant additional water use OR have three or more children under 19 living in the household where someone in the household is claiming child benefit for them.

    If you qualify, simply complete the form below to ensure we have the right information to help us support you. For more information, please refer to our Debt Code of Practice.

    If you are not eligible for WaterSure, you may be entitled to apply for a social tariff. Each water region in the UK has its own Social tariffs, and ESP will match the tariff for each region.

    Fill out the form to proceed.

      2. Benefits & Medical Condition

      Please tick which qualifying benefit you are in receipt of:

      Qualifying Medical Conditions

      Please provide proof of all ticked conditions, if you do not have a prescription please provide either a letter from your GP which states why you would require the use of more water.

      3. Your Children

      Do you have three (3) or more children under the age of 19 living at the property?

      Please provide the date of birth of your youngest three (3) children:

      4. Final Things

      Customer Declaration:

      The information I have provided is correct to the best of my knowledge and I understand that if I provide any information which is false, you may refuse to consider my application.

      I give my permission to the authority that provides my benefit or tax credit to give you any further information to support my application.

      I understand that ESP Water may occasionally contact me by telephone, email, text or in person to make sure I am given the best support for my needs.

      I understand that if my situation changes I can tell ESP Water and they will change my details or remove me.

      Signature

      Water Direct

      If you are receiving benefits and owe us at least £50, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may agree to a deduction being taken from your benefit and paid directly to us. You are eligible for Water Direct if you are receiving any of:

      • Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
      • Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
      • Income Support
      • Pension Credit
      • Universal Credit

      You can call us in confidence on 0333 000 0059 , or you can contact DWP directly on 0800 882 200 to find out if you’re eligible and apply, or visit their website.