Case Studies
Since the launch of the Yorkshire Water Community Trust in 1995, the charity has been proud to help a number of Yorkshire Water customers get back on their feet by assisting them with their water bill payments. Below are a few of examples of how the Trust has been able to help:
Case Study 1
Mr A lived with his four children, aged between 7 and 14. His only income was in the form of benefits - Working Family Tax Credit with an Income Support top-up and Child Benefit - £192 per week altogether.
Sounds quite a reasonable amount, even for a family of five, until we looked at his regular outgoings:-
- the regular weekly payments he should make soon cleared that, and that was without buying any food for the family - he said he usually spent £45 per week on that, so no treats there for four young lads
- his annual bill from Yorkshire Water was almost £350, but he still owed a similar amount from the previous year
- he had outstanding priority debt arrears totalling a further £2,600 for Rent, Council Tax and Gas
The Trustees made an award of £439.17 to Mr A, which was paid direct to Yorkshire Water and credited to his water bill. This paid his water charges up to the date of the Trust meeting, so he then only had the ongoing charges to think about. We were also able to advise him that he may be entitled to free school meals, which were costing him £25 per week.
This may not have got Mr A out of the debt circle, but the Trustees hope and strongly believe that they were able to do something to improve the quality of life for this family (and many others) in the long term.
Case Study 2
Mr S was a single person and was receiving Job Seekers Allowance of £64 per week. Mr S's weekly outgoings were £72 and he had priority debts of £750 for gas and electric.
Mr S was also suffering from severe depression and stress.
The Trustees made an award of £460.86 which was paid directly to Yorkshire Water and credited for his water bill. Making this award meant that Mr S. had to pay Yorkshire Water £3 per week down from £7 per week.
Testimonials
