Before getting in touch with your provider, check their website for any deals, as these are often exclusive to new customers.
Now is a great time to reassess your broadband costs and potentially bag a cheaper deal or social tariff, which could boost your household budget come January. Broadband social tariffs can slash bills to as little as £12.50 per month.
Before reaching out to your provider, it’s wise to check their website for any deals, as these are often exclusive to new customers. However, don’t shy away from asking for a better deal, especially if you spot an offer with the same service level but at a lower price – this tactic is known as haggling.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis is a strong advocate for haggling to secure cheaper broadband and streaming subscriptions. While haggling can significantly cut monthly costs, checking eligibility for a broadband social tariff is a simpler solution that could save up to £200 over the next year, reports the Daily Record.
Low-income State Pensioners claiming Pension Credit, or those receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) may be eligible for a social tariff. A comprehensive list of participating providers is available on the Ofcom website.
Eligiblity for Social Tariffs
The quickest way to determine if you’re eligible for a social tariff is to contact your broadband provider directly. Even if you don’t qualify, they may be able to suggest other ways to reduce your bill.
Knowing whether your benefits qualify you for a social tariff can be a bit of a minefield, so we’ve put together a handy guide to all the available social tariffs and the benefits that make you eligible. A system set up in 2022 allows broadband providers to quickly check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system, with the claimant’s consent.
The DWP’s system can confirm entitlement for the following benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Income Support, Jobseeker’s allowance, Employment and support allowance, Care Leaver’s Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance. The providers listed below are taken from Ofcom’s latest guidance on social tariff broadband packages.
10 social broadband tariff deals
Here are 10 to give you an idea of monthly costs, speeds available and eligibility.
BT Home Essentials (No Income)
- Monthly cost: £15
- Average broadband speed: around 36mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
BT Home Essentials (Unlimited 36Mbps)
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: around 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
BT Home Essentials (Unlimited 67mbps)
- Monthly cost: £23
- Average broadband speed: around 67Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
EE Basic (Now BT Home Essentials)
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 Fibre 2 Essentials
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 73Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
