There is a major utility bill that is expected to rise substantially this year but it is possible to have yours capped if you reach certain criteria

UK households are bracing themselves for even higher bills this spring and throughout the year so it’s worth checking now if you are someone who doesn’t have to pay one of the increases. The New Year is a time of change for many and unfortunately that includes household bills, which are set to rise in 2025. The Ofgem price cap increased on January 1 by 1.2 per cent to £1,738 per year. It is updated every three months and is expected to rise even further in the months ahead.

On April 1, July 1, and October 1, households will see a change in their energy bills. These caps are usually determined 4-5 weeks beforehand and can be found on the Ofgem website, with April’s announcement to be expected from the last week of February.

The price cap is used to show how much a typical family with a dual fuel tariff who pays via direct debit could expect to spend on their energy bill each year. But the exact amount you will pay each month will depend on your usage and can be higher or lower than the cap.

In addition to energy hikes there will also be an increase for the majority of households to their water and sewage bills. Industry regulator Ofwat announced in December last year that there will be an average rise of £157 for the majority of homes over the next five years. This is partly due to a £104 billion upgrade which it said would provide “substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment”.

The announcement sparked anger from consumer groups who highlighted many water companies’ awful records on sewage spills and water leaks. The Government announced plans to reform the sector and said that it will force water firms to increase the compensation offered to households for problems such as internal sewage flooding and low water pressure but these changes aren’t expected to happen until next year. Unlike with energy providers, householders are locked into paying for water from the companies that supply your local area so you can’t switch if you are unhappy with their service or price. However, there is a way you could get your bill capped if you meet the criteria.

WaterSure is a scheme that can help some people with their water bills. You need to be on benefits and have the need to use a lot of water either because of a medical condition or because you have three or more children under 19 and in full time education living in the house. You also need to be using a water meter or waiting to have one installed. If you can get help from the scheme you can have your bills capped meaning you won’t pay more than the average metered bill for your area. If your normal bill is less than your company’s WaterSure cap, you’ll only pay for what you use.

The benefits you need to be on depend on your supplier, so check with them. However Citizen’s Advice says all water companies offer WaterSure if you or someone in your household get one of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Housing Benefit

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income Support

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Working Tax Credit

  • Child Tax Credit awarded at a rate higher than the family element

Some suppliers offer the scheme if you’re on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments as well. You can apply for WaterSure by filling out a form on your water supplier’s website. You will also need to provide evidence of the benefit you are on and medical evidence from your doctor for any conditions that requires you to use a lot of water.

Share.
Exit mobile version