People claiming Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits may be able to slash their outgoings by around £200 a year.
Government bosses have confirmed they are working with Ofcom and broadband providers to make sure more people on a low income or certain benefits are aware of the social tariff packages they may be eligible to switch to. In September Minister Sir John Whittingdale, said that social tariffs are available in 99 per cent of the UK, from 23 providers offering broadband tariffs from £10 per month.
Ofcom figures indicate that 95% of 4.3 million eligible households for a social broadband tariff across England, Scotland and Wales are missing out on saving around £200 a year, the Daily Record reports.
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The quickest way to find out if you might qualify for a social tariff is to contact your supplier directly and ask. Even if you do not qualify, they may be able to offer other ways to reduce your broadband bill.
It can be quite confusing knowing if the benefit you are claiming is eligible for a social tariff so we have compiled a list of all the social tariffs and who can get it. A new system put in place last year makes it quicker for broadband providers' to check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system – with the claimant's permission.
Here are the providers – as per Ofcom's latest guidance – who are offering social tariff broadband packages for each benefit and in which areas. The broadband providers listed may not be available in your area, we’ve marked those that cover the entire UK as "UK".
Universal Credit
- BT – UK
- EE Basic – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Pension Credit
- BT – UK
- EE Basic – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Attendance Allowance
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Vodafone – UK
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Vodafone – UK
Income Support
- BT – UK
- EE Basic – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Jobseekers allowance
- BT – UK
- EE Basic – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Employment and support allowance
- BT – UK
- EE Basic – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Care Leaver's Support
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Housing Benefit
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
Reduced Earnings Allowance
- Vodafone – UK
10 social broadband tariff deals
Here are 10 to give you an idea of monthly costs, speeds available and eligibility.
BT Home Essentials
- Monthly cost: £15
- Average broadband speed: around 36mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
BT Home Essentials 2
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: around 67mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
EE Basic
- Monthly cost: £12
- Average broadband speed: up to 25Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- Monthly cost: £19.99
- Average broadband speed: 100 Mbps
- Eligibility: open to all
Sky Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
NOW Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Virgin Media Essential Broadband
- Monthly cost: £12.50
- Average broadband speed: 15Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 54Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Vodafone Essentials Broadband
- Monthly cost: £12
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
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