Lithium battery fires

Lithium batteries have caused fires in the rubbish lorries. Please do not put batteries in your waste or recycling bin. All batteries (including lithium batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters and other re-chargeable devices) can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centre at Northumberland Wharf.

Grants and assistance

Home Upgrade Grant

Tower Hamlets has partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and their partner Everwarm to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to homes through the local Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) project.

HUG 2 is a UK government-funded scheme that aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes across England. One hundred percent funding is available for eligible householders who own their property.

The scheme is available for properties with no gas for heating and can fund energy efficiency improvements including:

  • wall, loft and floor insulation
  • low carbon heating
  • solar panels

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, residents:

  • live in a home which is not heated by gas
  • must own their home
  • have a gross household income of £36,000 per year or less or live in certain postcodes (if your area is eligible you will have received a letter from Everwarm)
  • live in a home with a low energy rating
  • live in a property that is an existing domestic dwelling (rather than a new build or self-built property)

Everwarm will carry out an initial eligibility assessment and contact you within six working days. Customers/residents will need to provide documentation to Everwarm to verify their eligibility for the scheme.

How to apply

To find out if you are eligible to benefit from this scheme, please complete the initial Greater London Authority: Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 application form

Warm Home discount

Get financial help towards your energy bills this winter

The government runs a scheme called The Warm Home Discount Scheme.

You may be eligible to get £140 off your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

They don't pay you directly, it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, usually between October and March.

The discount won’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Check to see if you qualify for Warm Home Discount.

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters

If you have a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter, you can also qualify for the discount.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible for Warm Home Discount, e.g. a voucher that you can use to top up your meter.

The energy companies have a limit of people they can register and often close registration once this limit has been met so please call them as soon as possible if you think you may be eligible.

The criteria are slightly different for each energy company, so to check if you qualify and to register please click the links above or call your energy company.

WaterHelp

If you live in a low-income household, you may be able to get a discount on your water bill through WaterHelp.

WaterHelp was known as WaterSure Plus until March 2020. It still has the same criteria and benefits – only the name has changed.

If you’re already on the scheme, you don't need to do anything. Your bills and letters will change to show the new name over the course of the year.

If you qualify, they currently offer a 50 per cent discount on your whole bill. This amount may change in the future.

They consider households earning below £16,385, or below £19,747 in London boroughs, to be on a low income. In order to qualify, they will need to check your details and verify your income. You can find out more about how they look at your income on the back of the application form.

Complete the WaterHelp application form and post it to the following address:

Extra Care Services
Thames Water
PO Box 508
Swindon
SN38 2TX

You can also scan or take a photo of the completed form and email it to ecs@thameswater.co.uk.

If you'd prefer them to send you a form, call them on 0800 980 8800. They're open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 6pm.

If your hearing or speech is impaired, you can contact Relay UK.

If you’d like more information or want to chat about your options, please call the Extra Care Services team. You can reach them on 0800 009 3652 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

WaterSure

If you’re on a water meter but finding it hard to save water because you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, they may be able to cap your bills through WaterSure.

They always use the average price based on what other customers pay. For this year (2021/22), for example, they will cap your bills at £419. If you already use less, you’ll keep paying less.

To qualify for the scheme, someone in your household:

  • Must receive a means-tested benefit (see full list below) AND
  • Must have a medical condition that requires extra water OR
  • Three or more children under the age of 19 living at the property who make you eligible for child benefits.
  • Child Tax Credit (receiving more than the family element)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income-based Job seeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit.
  • Abdominal stoma
  • Crohn's disease
  • Desquamation (flaky skin disease)
  • Eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration (weeping skin disease)
  • Incontinence
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Renal conditions requiring home dialysis (except where the NHS makes a contribution toward water costs)
  • Any other medical conditions that require extra water.

Complete the WaterSure application form and post it to the following address:

Extra Care Services
Thames Water
PO Box 508
Swindon
SN38 2TX

You can also scan or take a photo of the completed form and email it to ecs@thameswater.co.uk.

If you'd prefer them to send you a form, call them on 0800 980 8800. They're open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 6pm.

If your hearing or speech is impaired, you can contact Relay UK.

If you’d like more information or want to chat about your options, please call the Extra Care Services team. You can reach them on 0800 009 3652 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Water Direct Scheme

Thames Water runs a scheme called the Water Direct Scheme. It is designed for people in arrears and allows you to combine your yearly bill with your arrears and pay weekly straight from your benefits.

Find out about the eligibility criteria attached to the scheme.