I have just discovered that people with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns, a stoma or other long term illnesses that mean they need to use a lot of water could be entitled to reduced water rates.

The Watersure scheme caps your water payments.  To qualify you must…

• be on a water meter or have applied for one and be waiting for it to be installed
• be on certain benefits
• have a high essential use of water.

Either you or someone in  your household must get one of the following benefits:

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• income-related Employment And Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit awarded at a rate higher than the family element.

High essential use of water means if you or someone in your home has a medical condition which they need to use a lot of water OR get this parents, if you have three or more children under 19 in your home.

These medical conditions automatically qualify as long as you meet the other requirements…

• desquamation (flaky skin disease)
• weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)
• incontinence
• abdominal stomas
• renal failure requiring dialysis at home  – although you won’t qualify for Watersure if you’re already getting a contribution to your water costs from the NHS
• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis.

You can also apply for Watersure if there is someone in your household who has another medical condition which means using higher than average amounts of water.  Water companies will ask for details from a doctor.

Apply by filling out a form from your water supplier, I looked on Yorkshire Water website and just downloaded it.

This sort of help is fantastic but no one tells you about it! I just happened upon it accidentally and Im filling the forms in now.  Im shocked about the three or more children rule, I don’t think many people know about this at all!

So take a look, hope it is of help for you all

Sam xxx