Welsh Water offer help to working households struggling with cost of living
Dwr Cymru has launched the Cymuned Support Fund
A new scheme to cut bills for those struggling during the cost of living crisis is being launched by Welsh Water.
Working households who find their outgoings are more than their monthly wages can have a 3 month charge free period under the Cymuned Support Fund.
Until now, Welsh Water’s financial assistance schemes have mostly targeted households on means tested benefits and working households typically do not qualify for this support.
Households that qualify will receive a three month ‘charge free’ period, equating to a discount of around £100-£120 on the average bill.
Welsh Water says those who think they are eligible should apply to one of three partner organisations, Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity, or Warm Wales, that in turn will carry out an income and expenditure assessment to understand if they are eligible, before applying to Welsh Water on their behalf.
Maria is a Welsh Water Customer from Rhyl who was one of the first to access the Cymuned Fund support.
She said: “I work for a homeless shelter so there’s not usually much financial support available to me as I have a small income. I was told about the Cymuned Fund by my local Citizens Advice team, as I was feeling a lot of pressure making monthly payments on my essentials.
“I applied for Cymuned and was successful after an income and expenditure assessment – it’s helped massively and took a lot of pressure off me. I’m so glad to see this much needed support for working people who are finding rising costs so hard to keep up with.”
Sam James, Welsh Water’s Managing Director of Household Customer Services, said: "We know that many working customers in the communities we serve are struggling as they face increased pressure from the cost-of-living. Our Cymuned scheme is the first of its kind, designed to provide eligible working households with financial support.
“I’d like to thank our partner organisations, Citizens Advice, StepChange and Warm Wales, for working with us to offer this support and urge any customer who is working but struggling financially to reach out to one of these organisations; we’re here for you.”