Water Trust Funds and Assistance schemes Mark Abrams Chief Executive Auriga Services Ltd

Changing lives every day 2 Not-for-profit trading subsidiary of Severn Trent Trust Fund Trust Fund founded in 1997 Vision: By 2020, Auriga will have helped 2 million people reduce their financial hardship Mission: Changing lives every day 56 fabulous staff, based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Auriga Services Ltd

Changing lives every day Grant giving, social tariff schemes, benefit checks, debt advice, income maximisation & emergency fuel payments, training & energy switching

Changing lives every day 4 40,000 grant applications per year 15,000 social tariff applications per year 70,000 telephone calls per year Over £1million a year for organisational grants Handle around 700 requests for help each week Give around £ 1 / 4 million in grants each week Realise an average of £3,000 income each case Auriga has helped over 1.3 million people to date Facts & Figures

Changing lives every day 5 Severn Trent Water customers who apply to Trust University Hospital Birmingham dialysis patients Warm Homes Oldham Cavell Nursing Trust The Ambulance Trust Cilex Benevolent Fund (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives)

Changing lives every day 6 Fuel Poverty Poverty Disposable income below 60% of the national average. Fuel Poverty definition in England changed in 2013 New Definition – Low Income, high cost Have required fuel costs that are above average, AND Were they to spend that amount, they would be left with a residual income below the official poverty line Previous Definition – 10% (still used in Scotland, Wales & N. Ireland) Household would need to spend more than 10% income on adequate energy

Changing lives every day 7 Fuel Poverty in the UK DECC, Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics, National Statistics 10% definitionLow income, high cost No. of FP households % of FP households No. of FP households % of FP households England2,615, %2,379, % Scotland845,00035%** Wales291,00023%132,00010% Northern Ireland294,00042%**

Changing lives every day Fuel Poverty Statistics 2012

Changing lives every day Power utility grants

Changing lives every day Water trust Funds & Customer Assistance United Utilities £5m per annum 5,300 grants Severn Trent £3.5m per annum 3,000 grants Thames Water £4.5m per annum 4,000 grants

Changing lives every day Help available… Grants to help with water arrears Social tariffs help now and lasts one year from application ‘Further Assistance’ help with priority bills or essential household items. Includes DRO & bankruptcy payments Signposting help from other organisations Identifying schemes which help reduce water and energy bills for the future eg. Water meters. Benefits checks > Maximizing income (STW customers only) Excellent communicators….No automated phone systems Always at the end of the telephone – just call us!

Changing lives every day Sorry, we can’t help with… Court fines for criminal offences Benefit or tax credit overpayments Social Fund Loans Credit Card/Personal loans/Catalogues Education Fees Medical Costs Holidays Loans or help with bills that have already been paid or items bought

Changing lives every day Completing applications On line application facility for advisors Proof of income Realistic financial statement Tell us about the applicants individual circumstances Future payment method required Support with other debts Further Assistance Payments We will accept UNISON welfare officer’s signature as confirmation of proof of income.

Changing lives every day 14 All applications acknowledged Water company are informed and a hold placed on the account Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis Grants towards water charges paid directly to water company Grants for other priority bills paid directly to supplier Household items purchased, delivered and where needed connected Applicant notified of outcome by letter Advisers making on-line applications are notified by What happens to the applications

Changing lives every day 15 On-line application facility for agencies Download a form from our website Designated bankruptcy form Designated water in rent form It’s easy to apply

Changing lives every day Utility trusts and assistance schemes In your packs and free to download at

Changing lives every day “Our son is living with us at the moment - as he has no other address, - and we are feeding him occasionally.” “….and I have to wash regularly as I have two teenage daughters.” “My doctor has strongly recommended that I do not go to work as it would be bad for my health.” “I don’t want to be in debt any longer, I have tried it and don’t like it.” “In order for my washing to be done at present I alternate between my ex- wife and the laundrette, my ex wife is not too happy about this arrangement.” AND FINALLY….. “I was wondering about working as a means of increasing my income?” Things people say …

Changing lives every day Water Trust Funds and Assistance schemes