Yorkshire Water: water company to help 250,000 households with bill discounts and debt support – how to apply

• Yorkshire Water will support 250,000 households with bill reductions, debt relief, and payment plans by April 2026
• Support schemes include Water Support, Water Sure, Resolve, Direct Support, and Community Trust
• Eligibility focuses on low-income households or those on income-based benefits
• £60m will be provided in financial help this year, with over £375m planned over the next five years
• Customers can apply online or by phone to access discounts, debt help, and advice on reducing bills

As households across Yorkshire continue to feel the squeeze on their budgets, Yorkshire Water is stepping in with a major financial lifeline.

By April 2026, the utility is on track to provide cost-of-living support to 250,000 customers, helping those struggling with water bills access discounts, debt relief, and payment plans.

This move comes as part of the water company’s five-year, £8.3bn investment cycle, which began in 2025.

While average bills increased by around £11 per month last year to fund essential infrastructure improvements, Yorkshire Water has also expanded its support schemes to ensure vulnerable households are not left behind.

What support is available?

Yorkshire Water offers a range of bill reduction and debt support schemes:

• Water Support – reduces bills for customers on low income or receiving certain benefits.
• Water Sure – caps bills at a fixed amount for those on low income who require higher water usage.
• Resolve and Direct Support – schemes designed to help customers pay off water bill debt, including payment matching options.
• Community Trust – an independent charity providing debt relief payments.

Additionally, customers can access advice on whether switching to a water meter could reduce their bill or explore other payment arrangements tailored to their circumstances.

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Who is eligible?

Eligibility primarily focuses on households with low income or income-based benefits. Customers experiencing difficulty paying their water bills are encouraged to explore the support schemes available.

This includes those already on payment plans or requiring wellbeing checks and guidance on accessing additional services.

Currently, 190,000 households are receiving direct bill support, while another 38,000 customers benefit from tailored payment arrangements and signposting to helpful services.

By the end of the financial year, this number is expected to reach 250,000. Over the full five-year investment period, 345,000 households will benefit, with more than £375m allocated to bill reductions and debt relief.

How to apply

Applying for support is straightforward. Customers can:

• Visit Yorkshire Water’s dedicated support page: yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill
• Call the customer support team on 0345 129 9299 to discuss options and eligibility.

Yorkshire Water encourages anyone struggling with bills to reach out. Angie Markham-Nock, affordability strategy manager, says: “We would strongly encourage anybody who feels that their bill is unmanageable to take a look at the financial support schemes we have available and get in touch, so we can open the conversation and see what we can do for them.”