Water Trust Funds and
Assistance schemes
Mark Abrams
Chief Executive
Auriga Services Ltd
Auriga Services Ltd
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
Changing lives every day
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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
Facts & Figures
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 £1/4million in grants each week
Realise an average of £3,000 income each case
Auriga has helped over 1.3 million people to date
Changing lives every day
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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
Changing lives every day
(Chartered Institute of Legal Executives)
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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
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Fuel Poverty in the UK
DECC, Annual Fuel Poverty
Statistics, 2016. National
Statistics
Changing lives every day
10% definition
No. of FP
households
% of FP
households
Low income, high cost
No. of FP
households
% of FP
households
England
2,615,000
11.6%
2,379,000
10.6%
Scotland
845,000
35%
*
*
Wales
291,000
23%
132,000
10%
Northern Ireland
294,000
42%
*
*
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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
What happens to the applications
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 email
Changing lives every day
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It’s easy to apply
On-line application facility for agencies
Download a form from our website
Designated bankruptcy form
Designated water in rent form
www.sttf.org.uk
Changing lives every day
www.uutf.org.uk
www.twtf.org.uk
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Utility trusts and assistance schemes
Changing lives every day
In your packs and free to download at
www.aurigaservices.co.uk
Things people say …
“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?”
Changing lives every day
Water Trust Funds and
Assistance schemes
www.sttf.org.uk
www.uutf.org.uk
www.twtf.org.uk
www.aurigaservices.co.uk
Changing lives every day