Benefits for protected customers

What advantages do you have?

• You can have your water meter reading recorded free of charge.
  More about meter reading and consumption
• You can receive an intermediate bill every month rather than every 3 months.
  More about your water bill
• You can apply for an instalment plan. This allows you to pay the bills in parts.
  More about problems with payment
• You do not pay additional fees for reminder letters.
  More about payment reminders
• Has your consumption increased by 25% and by at least 50 m³? Then we will mention this on your bill.
  Where do you find your average consumption?
• You can request a free water scan.
  More about the water scan

What is a protected customer?

It is a household with at least 1 person, domiciled at that address:

who is entitled, under the PCSW, to:

• a living wage or living minimum, or
• financial support to a person registered on the register of foreign nationals with an unlimited residence permit, or
• an allowance pending guaranteed income (for the elderly), an allowance for persons with disabilities or an allowance for assistance to the elderly.

who is entitled, under FPS Social Security, to:

• an allowance to persons with disabilities due to permanent disability of at least 65%, or
• an income replacement allowance, or
• an integration allowance, or
• an allowance for third-party assistance.

entitled, through the Flemish Social Protection department, to:

• a care budget for the aged with care requirement.

entitled, through the National Child Welfare Agency, to:

• a care allowance for children with specific support needs.

entitled, through the Federal Pensions Service, to:

• an income guarantee (for the elderly), or
• a guaranteed income for the elderly, or
• an allowance for third-party assistance.

View a sample certificate here

When are you entitled to these benefits?

If the invoice is in your name or in the name of a family member domiciled at the same address.

You do not have a right to:

• If we bill the consumption of multiple households, for example, for residents of apartment buildings with 1 water meter.
• If we bill consumption to a person who is not part of the family, for example, in a retirement home.
• If we also bill business consumption.

Do you meet the conditions for a protected customer on 1 January this year? If so, you can enjoy the benefits from 1 June of this year to 31 May of next year.

We will receive a list of customers who are protected on 1 January. You will therefore not need to provide us with a certificate.

How to apply for a benefit?

Contact us, clearly stating that you are a protected customer and which benefit you want to take advantage of.