There is a scheme in place for waiving the Bulky Waste charge in cases of exceptional hardship. Please note that this does not apply when the bulky waste collection service is suspended.
This is assessed based on the below criteria:
Does the household have any savings?
If the customers have savings, they will be expected to meet the costs of collection from the savings they have.
After outgoings, does the household have any of their week/monthly income left over?
The assessment of income and outgoings will seek to establish how much money is left over from the Household income after all their essential living expenses are met. The less money left after all expenses are met, the more likely the customer will qualify for a free collection under the scheme.
Essential living expenses include: Mortgage (and second mortgages), loans, rent, council tax, water rates, buildings/contents insurance, life insurance, pension payments, gas and electric, other fuel costs, food, household goods and toiletries, landline and/or mobile telephone, TV licence, cable/satellite TV e.g. Sky, broadband/internet, travel expenses (including bus fare and motor expenses), magistrates court fine, maintenance payments, hire purchase/mail order, school meals/work meals, clothing, NHS costs, child care costs, house moving costs.
Please note: All financial assessments are undertaken at a household, rather than an individual level and 2 months of bank statements for all accounts including ISA’s and saving accounts will be required as evidence. These will be assessed during a home visit and applicants shouldn’t send them electronically or via the post.
When did the household last have a collection under the Exceptional Hardship Criteria?
The criteria establish the number of times a household has received a collection under exceptional hardship in the previous 3 years. If they have then they are less likely to be awarded a further free collection.
Do the items being disposed of have a short lifespan?
I.e. due to being purchased second hand or they been used for an extensive period of time
Has the customer already attempted to dispose of the items using other means?
This might be through the selling or gifting websites, or by attempting to donate to charity.
Does the customer have access to a vehicle that could reasonably transport the unwanted items to the nearest Household Waste and Recycling Centre?
Consideration will be given to whether the vehicle can accommodate the items.
Are there any other circumstances that make the household more reliant on the service than the average household?
The last criteria allows the assessing officer to consider any other extenuating circumstances that the resident may have which may increase their need for a free collection. Points can only be awarded for circumstances that are not covered elsewhere in the assessment.
The customer will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to supply evidence in support of their application under the criteria.
Apply online for assessment of extreme hardship
These criteria will be reviewed on every 12 months.
Last updated: Thu 30th March, 2023 @ 10:56