Universal Credit claimants could get their broadband or mobile phone bill slashed to as little as £10 a month thanks to deals from providers.
Many suppliers offer social tariffs which are discounts for those on low income and in receipt of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Families are looking to cut costs in the New Year and social tariffs could be a useful way to cut costs and save money.
However, each applicant for this support will need to check their eligibility and whether their provider gives social tariffs.
Broadband customers have been forced to deal with inflation-hiked prices
UNSPLASHWho is eligible for broadband social tariffs?
Households who receive Universal Credit could reduce their broadband costs by switching to a supplier’s social tariff.
Most major providers include those on Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support in these tariffs.
Some broadband suppliers also offer social tariffs to claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance.
The individual in receipt of the DWP payment needs to be the main person on the broadband contract.
Which providers are offering social tariffs?
Here is a breakdown of all the suppliers currently offering social tariffs to their customers in the UK, according to Ofcom at the time of writing:
- 4th Utility Social Tariff - £13.99 a month
- BT Home Essentials No Income - £15 a month
- BT Home Essentials Unlimited 36 Mbp/s - £20 a month
- BT Home Essentials Unlimited 67 Mbp/s - £23 a month
- Community Fibre Essential - £12.50 a month
- Connect Fibre Basic Essentials - £20 per month
- Country Connect Social Tariff - £15 a month
- County Broadband Essential Broadband Tariff - £15 per month
- EE Basics - £12 a month
- G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband - £15 a month
- Grayshott Gigabit Connect - £19 a month
- Hey!Broadband Everyday Fibre - £16 per month
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50 - £15 a month
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150 - £20 a month
- KCOM Full Fibre Flex - £14.99 a month
- Lightning Fibre Social Tariff - £15 a month
- Lothian Broadband Social Tariff - £19.99 a month
- NOW Broadband Basics - £20 a month
- Quickline Social Tariff - £16.50 a month
- RunFibre social tariff - £20 a month
- Shell Essentials Fast Broadband - £15 a month
- Shell Essentials Fibre Broadband - £20 a month
- Sky Broadband Basics - £20 a month
- SMARTY Social Tariff - £12 a month
- Truespeed Basic - £20 a month
- Virgin Media Essential Broadband - £12.50 a month
- Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus - £20 a month
- Vodafone Fibre 1 Essentials - £12 per month
- Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials - £20 per month
- VOXI For Now - £10 a month
- Wildanet Helping Hand Social Tariff - £20 a month
- WightFibre Essential Broadband - £16.50 a month
- YouFibre Social Tariff - £15 a month.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Universal Credit claimants are encouraged to contact their broadband provider to apply for social tariffs
PAThose interested in applying for a social tariff should make sure the provider operates in their local area and is able to offer services for their premises.
As it stands, Wildanet’s tariff is only available to those on Universal Credit but the provider is reportedly considering including other benefits.
Furthermore, customers might be able to access other financial support outside of social tariffs.
Those concerned about paying either their broadband or mobile phone bill should speak to their provider directly to see if any other help is on offer.
