Social Tariff Broadband: Low-Cost Internet for UK Homes

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July 11th, 2025
Social Tariff Broadband: Low-Cost Internet for UK Homes

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What is social tariff broadband?

Social tariff broadband is a lower-cost internet plan for people who get government benefits. The plan is there to help homes with low incomes stay online. People can use it for many things such as healthcare, work, school, and getting help from others.

You can get these plans from big UK companies like BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and Vodafone. They give you broadband service at a standard rate of between £12 and £20 each month. A lot of the time, you do not have to pay anything to set it up or pay any early termination fees.

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Who qualifies for a social tariff broadband deal?

You might get this if a person in your home gets one of the things that are on this list.

  • Universal Credit works for people who do or do not have any earnings.
  • Pension Credit is for anyone who gets guarantee credit.
  • Income Support helps people who live on a low income.
  • Support Allowance helps with different things, including Employment & Support Allowance.
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance is for people who need money and meet the income rules.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps people who need care each day or have trouble moving around.
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for people who need help with care or can’t move around well.

These benefits, like universal credit, support allowance, pension credit, income support, and personal independence payment, help people take care of their main needs.

Some providers will take Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance, or support for Care Leavers. You should know that when you apply, the test looks at the benefits you get. It is not just about how much money you make.

What do I need for an eligibility check?

Most providers ask for:

  • You need to give your full name and your date of birth.
  • You must share your national insurance number.
  • You have to give details about your current provider or your current contract.
  • You need to show proof that you get the right benefits. This is usually checked online.
  • You also have to say you are part of the eligible household.

You will not need a credit check to sign up. You also do not need to show your ID. Once you get approved, you can switch or join as a new customer. Your monthly cost will be less than what most people pay.

Top social tariff offers in 2025

Provider Plan Name Monthly Price Speed / Tech Contract Notes
BT Home Essentials £15 36 Mbps FTTC 12 months Also offers Home Essentials 2 with 67 Mbps
Virgin Media Essential Broadband £12.50 15 Mbps DOCSIS 30-day rolling No line rental or setup cost
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus £20 54 Mbps 30-day rolling Includes TV service support
Sky Sky Broadband Basics £20 36 Mbps FTTC 18 months Unlimited data, no mid-contract hikes
Vodafone Essentials Broadband £12 38 Mbps 12 months Available to UC and PIP claimants
Community Fibre Fair Fibre 20 £12.50 20 Mbps Full Fibre 12 months London-only, no credit check

All plans have line rental, let you download as much as you want, and give you flexible terms. If you already have broadband, some providers may let you switch from your old broadband deal to a social tariff broadband deal. You can do this without any extra costs or penalties.

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Is social tariff broadband right for me?

Yes, if you:

  • Get the right government benefits
  • Need to cut down your monthly bill
  • Want to avoid credit checks or any setup fees
  • Are now paying more than £25 each month for a basic internet connection
  • Use your broadband to visit websites, watch TV service, and have video calls

Even if the download speed on social tariffs is lower, these plans usually give a steady average download speed. Many of them use FTTC fibre broadband or full fibre broadband. So, you still get good fibre broadband or full fibre broadband that is enough for most things you do online.

Do I need to cancel my current contract?

If you have a current contract, you should talk to your current provider first. Some providers may let you leave early without extra charges if you are able to get a broadband social tariff. Others may move you straight to their broadband packages with lower prices.

Switching mid-contract? You’ll often:

  • You can keep the router you have now, or you can get a free one to replace it.
  • You will stay connected as we switch things over.
  • If you use home essentials or Airband Talk, you can keep your phone number.

Can I get social tariff broadband with full fibre?

Yes, you can now get full fibre broadband from providers like Community Fibre, BT, and Virgin Media, even if you pick one of the lower-priced plans. These plans use better and faster networks, so you get a good internet connection. You also get better upload speed and a more stable service, even when a lot of people are online at the same time.

Some social tariffs have a wifi guarantee too. This means you get steady wifi where it matters most in your home.

How does it compare to regular broadband deals?

Feature Social Tariff Deal Standard Broadband Deal
Monthly Price £12–£20 £25–£40
Credit Check Often not required Usually required
Eligibility Criteria Must receive benefits Open to all
Setup Fee £0 £15–£60
Download Speed 15–67 Mbps 36–900 Mbps
Best For Basic internet usage Streaming, gaming, multiple users

If you do not use a lot of the internet at home and you fit the eligibility criteria, you can cut your broadband bill by half every month.

What if I want a mobile plan too?

Some companies let people on a social tariff get cheaper mobile plans too. You can ask if they have SIM cards with this offer. Check if there is a way to get Vodafone Essentials Broadband and a mobile deal together. This can help you save even more money.

This helps a lot for families that get new customers. It is good for people who need to stay connected when they are out.

Where can I compare broadband and social tariffs?

It is always a good plan to look at some broadband options before you pick one. You can use a postcode checker to:

  • Find broadband packages that have social tariff offers for you.
  • Look at what is there for eligible households.
  • Check if your current provider can give you a better broadband deal under their social tariff broadband terms.

You can change to a new provider in just a few simple steps. Most of the time, the new provider will also handle cancelling everything for you.

Where can I compare broadband and social tariffs

Correct as of 18 June 2025

FAQs about social tariff broadband

Is social tariff broadband available nationwide?

Yes, you can get plans like BT Home Essentials, Sky Broadband Basics, and Virgin Media Essential Broadband in most places in the UK. It does depend on the postcode you have. You can find out if these home essentials deals from BT Home Essentials, Sky Broadband Basics, or Virgin Media Essential Broadband are in your area.

How do I apply for a social tariff?

Go to the provider’s website to see if you can get the service. Do an eligibility check there. You will need to give your national insurance number and your date of birth. This helps to check your benefit status.

Can I upgrade later?

Yes, there are many places where you can switch to a better broadband plan. You can do this if what you need changes or if how much money you make changes.

Will I lose service while switching?

No. The providers work together so the change between services is easy. This is true if you are moving from a current contract.

Can I get faster speeds?

Some social tariffs give you lower price limits. Others, like Essential Broadband Plus and Fair Fibre, use fibre broadband in their plans. You get faster broadband with these than with standard ones.

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