Financial Hardship Fund

There are three different types of support available:

• Up to 50% one-year bill reduction for customers hit temporarily by hard times
• Debt write-off of up to £2,000 from Southern Water debt for customers who have managed to get back on track with payments but will never be able to repay their debt
• A grant of up to £1,000 towards a home appliance or furniture

Bill reduction

• The household income is greater than current Essentials threshold (£21,000)
• The customer’s expenditure significantly outweighs income due to a temporary shock – such as bereavement, main earner’s loss of employment, sudden additional caring responsibilities
• The customer expects the circumstances to improve fully

Debt write-off

• The customer is making regular payments that cover (or nearly cover) current usage
• The customer has a significant debt (over £500) that has accrued due to circumstances outside of their control (such as financial abuse by a partner, mental health breakdown, prolonged absence from work)
• The customer is unlikely to ever be able to clear the debt

Non-financial assistance

• The customer faces significant financial hardship with no support network
• Although paying their water bill, the customer can’t afford basics (such as proper food, clothes or heating)
• The customer already benefits from a reduced bill
• There is something that can be done to provide long-term benefit (such as replacing a washing machine) or assistance in a crisis (such as food vouchers)

No. Only one application per household is allowed.

Applications are assessed against the criteria. Our Head of Customer Services, the Vulnerability Lead and a Finance Manager meet each month to decide how funds are awarded.

Within six weeks of application.

• White goods (e.g. washing machine, fridge/freezer, cooker)

• Other items of household furniture may be considered depending on the circumstances