Expanded help for water bills scheme
Thames Water has expanded its scheme to help people impacted by the cost of living crisis.
Eligible customers can receive up to 50 per cent discount on their annual bill through its WaterHelp scheme.
Customers whose bill is more than 5 per cent of their take home income, taking into account the number of individuals per household, may be eligible for the scheme.
Contact Thames Water to apply for WaterHelp support.
South East Water customers
South East Water also has support options, so if you’re struggling to pay you can get help. You could be eligible for help if:
- Your household income is less than £18,725 (not including any disability or housing benefits)
- Are you in receipt of a qualifying benefit and have either:
- Three or more children under the age of 19 living at home? Or:
- Someone in your household has a medical condition that means you need to use more water
- You live alone or in a bedsit or sheltered accommodation
Contact South East Water to see what discounts and support you could get.
Countryside spots to try this half-term
If you’re looking for a low-cost day out this half-term why not try one of the 29 nature parks we have across the borough.
We’ve got them on a map so you can find the ones near you, as well as listings for each ones with the parking facilities and description of the site.
Each area also has a map to download so you can see what it’s like before you go and what you can do when you get there.
Date for your diary – Nature Day
Our Community Engagement Team is working alongside Thames Basin Heaths Partnership to bring you a free Nature Day at Rooks Nest Wood (RG40 4EU) near Finchampstead.
Open to all, just drop in, dogs welcome. Runs from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 8 June.
WATCH: how your local credit union can help
Boom Community Bank, Berkshire’s credit union, has new videos to explain its services to residents.
Membership is free for people who live or work in the borough. You automatically become a member when you access any of their services. Some benefits of becoming a member are:
- Help to save regularly
- Access to affordable loans
- Support managing finances
Visit the Boom Community Bank website to find out more.
Help if you’re behind on Council Tax
We are now using a new messaging service to contact people who have fallen behind in paying their Council Tax instalments. Depending on the details we hold for you, we may contact you via:
- Text
- Email
- Automated voice message
We will do this prior to sending reminders by post or taking any further action to collect overdue payments and help to prevent you from paying additional costs.
To help you be sure that the contact is from a genuine source, texts and emails will be addressed to you personally and you must click on a link to verify your account.
Once verified, the message will inform you of your payment options and how to contact us.
Our Council Tax team will be at SHARE Wokingham at Norreys Church on Friday 7 June, 12 noon to 2.30pm, to help residents face to face. You can book a slot to get debt advice or just drop in.
Don’t forget, you can sign up for e-billing on our website to manage your Council Tax account. It helps us to reduce costs on sending out paper bills and is more convenient for you, as you can view your account at any time
Select ‘register/sign into your account’ on the webpage to begin the process. You will need your Council Tax number and your email address to register.
Other support options
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