MILLIONS on Universal Credit are entitled to discounted broadband – but there’s lots of deals to choose from.
Social tariffs are available to all households claiming the benefit – and they can save you hundreds on your bills.
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You can sign up if you are claiming other benefits too, including pension credit and personal independence payment.
But eligibility criteria can vary and each provider offers different packages.
Figures revealed by Ofcom in October showed the number of households on social broadband tariffs had risen from 55,000 to 136,000 since January 2022.
But millions are still missing out on the tariffs, which can cut bills by hundreds a year.
Gina Hackett previously told The Sun she slashed her monthly broadband bill with BT from £40 down to £15 by switching to a social tariff. That works out as a £300-a-year saving.
In August, Sun Money called on the government, regulator Ofcom and suppliers to do more to support struggling customers.
We launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers could save.
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We also called on firms to make it easier for customers to switch to tariffs.
Yesterday, Sky announced it is joining the Department for Work and Pensions’ Social Tariff scheme.
Usually, customers eligible for a social tariff have to actively prove they are claiming benefits with providers, often monthly.
But the Social Tariff scheme sees providers ask the DWP to check whether a customer is eligible for a social tariff instead.
The initiative makes the process of a customer applying and maintaining a social tariff much easier.
What providers offer social broadband tariffs?
You can use price comparison websites such as moneysupermarket.com and Uswitch.com to compare the best social broadband tariffs.
Ofgem has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.
The full list includes the price per month and internet speed. Vodafone is currently offering the cheapest price – at £12.
Air Broadband Air Support
- £20 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
BT Home Essentials
- £15 a month
- Around 36 Mbit/s speed
BT Home Essentials 2
- £20 a month
- Around 67 Mbit/s speed
Community Fibre Essential
- £12.50 a minth
- 20 Mbit/s speed
Country Connect Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed
G. Network Essential Fibre Broadband
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed
Grayshott Gigabit Connect
- £20 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbits/s speed
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150
- £20 a month
- 150 Mbits/s speed
KCOM Full Fibre Flex
- £14.99 a month
- 30 Mbits/s speed
Lightning Fibre Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbits/s speed
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- £19.99 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
NOW Broadband Basics
- £20 a month
- 36 Mbits/s speed
Sky Broadband Basics
- £20 a month
- 36 Mbits/s speed
Virgin Media Essential Broadband
- £12.50 a month
- 15 Mbits/s speed
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus
- £20 a month
- 54 Mbits/s speed
Vodafone Essentials Broadband
- £12 a month
- 38 Mbits/s speed
WightFibre Essential Broadband
- £16.50 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
If you aren’t entitled to Universal Credit but do receive other benefits, it’s worth checking with the provider whether you can get a social tariff.
You can apply for most tariffs online, or can call your provider and ask to switch.
If your provider doesn’t offer a social tariff, you can usually switch to one that does.
But beware – you might have to pay an early exit fee if you switch.
You can check your broadband contract or ask your provider how much the exit fee might be.
And always shop around for the best deals as you might find a normal broadband deal that’s cheaper than a social tariff.
In other news, a popular high street chain has announced it is “lining up administrators”.
Plus, a major bank is offering £200 free cash to new and existing customers.
