Overview
- Eligibility widens to people on Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, provided household income is below £25,745.
- An estimated 53,000 additional households will qualify, taking total support to around 300,000 recipients.
- The cap will be based on the lowest average bill and include a single‑person benchmark, with most existing users set to save up to £100 more.
- Applicants will no longer need to provide or pay for a doctor’s note, with water companies agreeing to drop this requirement.
- The reforms take effect in early 2027, are mandatory in England and voluntary in Wales, and are funded by about £1.14 a year added to other customers’ bills, with consumer and disability groups welcoming the move.