Are You Qualified for Broadband Social Tariffs?

Social tariffs are special broadband deals for people on low incomes. They can help you save money on your internet bill.

What Are Social Broadband Tariffs?

Social broadband tariffs are cheap internet deals for people who don’t have much money. They’re much less costly than normal packages. Big UK internet providers like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky offer these deals to help more people get online.

Why Are Social Tariffs Important?

• They help people save money on internet bills
• More people can get online for work and school
• Families can stay in touch and watch shows online
• It’s easier to look for jobs and use online services

Who Can Get Social Tariffs?

Income and Benefits

You might get a social tariff if you:

• Don’t earn much money
• Get Universal Credit
• Get Pension Credit
• Get other benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance

Other Things That Matter

• Where you live in the UK
• If you’re already with a broadband provider
• What kind of internet is available in your area

Grab the cheapest Broadband & Phone Deals

Make savings up to 44% & keep the operational cost lower!!!

Compare Now

What Do You Need to Apply?

To get a social tariff, you’ll need to show some papers:

• Proof of your income, like payslips
• Letters about your benefits
• Something to show where you live, like a bill

Some companies might check if you can get a social tariff just by using your National Insurance number.

How to Get a Social Broadband Tariff

1. Look at different providers in your area
2. Check if you can get a social tariff
3. Get your papers ready
4. Call the provider or go to their website
5. Tell them about yourself and show your papers
6. Pick the deal you want
7. Fill out the forms
8. Wait for them to set up your internet

Tips for Applying

• Make sure all your information is right
• Have extra papers ready in case they ask
• Think about paying by direct debit to make it easier

Things to Watch Out For

• Don’t apply before checking if you can get the deal
• Make sure your papers are up to date
• Remember to end your old internet contract if you need to

What Social Tariffs Can You Get?

Here are some cheap broadband deals from big UK providers:

Always check for the latest deals and prices here.

How Much Can You Save?

Social tariffs are much cheaper than normal broadband deals. For example:

• A normal BT deal might cost £30 a month, but their social tariff is only £15
• Virgin Media’s usual deals start at about £30, but their social tariff is £12.50

This means you could save £15 to £20 every month!

Grab the cheapest Broadband & Phone Deals

Make savings up to 44% & keep the operational cost lower!!!

Compare Now

What If You Can’t Get a Social Tariff?

If you can’t get a social tariff, try these ideas:

Look for the cheapest normal broadband deals

• See if there are any special offers for new customers
• Think about getting your TV, phone, and internet together in one package
• Check if you can get any other help with your bills

Social Tariffs vs Normal Broadband Deals

Speed

Social tariffs usually have slower internet speeds than normal deals. But they’re still fast enough for most people to:

• Browse the web
• Send emails
• Watch videos
• Make video calls

Contract Length

Many social tariffs don’t make you sign up for a long time. This means:

• You can leave when you want
• You won’t have to pay exit fees
• It’s easier to change to a different deal if your money situation gets better

Extra Features

Normal broadband deals often come with extras like:

• Free gifts when you sign up
• TV packages
• Home phone services

Social tariffs usually don’t have these extras, but they’re much cheaper.

Mobile Deals and Social Tariffs

Some companies like Vodafone and Virgin Media offer cheap mobile deals for people on benefits. These can include:

• Lower-priced mobile plans
• More data for the same price
• Discounts on phone packages

Broadband for Larger Families

If you have a big family, you might need faster internet. Some providers offer social tariffs with higher speeds for larger households. This means everyone can:

• Do their homework online
• Watch HD films
• Play online games
• Work from home

Grab the cheapest Broadband & Phone Deals

Make savings up to 44% & keep the operational cost lower!!!

Compare Now

What Happens at the End of Your Contract?

When your social tariff contract ends:

• It usually carries on month by month
• You can leave any time
• The price usually stays the same
• You might be able to switch to a better deal if your situation has changed

How Ofcom Keeps Social Tariffs Fair

Ofcom watches over cheap internet deals in the UK. They make sure these deals are fair for UK households.

What Ofcom does:

• Checks that monthly prices stay low
• Asks major providers to offer cheap deals
• Tells people about these deals

In 2023, Ofcom found that not many people were using these cheap deals. They want more UK households to know about them.

Ofcom also makes sure the eligibility criteria for getting these deals are fair. If you get Universal Credit or other financial support, you might be able to get a cheap internet connection.

How Jobcentre Plus Helps with Cheap Internet

Jobcentre Plus helps people find out about cheap internet. They work with internet service providers to make it easy.

Here’s how they help:

• Work coaches tell people about cheap deals
• They explain the eligibility criteria
• They can do an instant eligibility check

If you get extra money for a disability, the work coach can tell you if you can get a cheap internet service.

Some Jobcentre Plus offices even let you use their internet connection to apply for these deals. This is great if you don’t have a reliable internet connection at home.

Quick Checks for Cheap Internet Deals

Many major providers now do quick checks to see if you can get a cheap deal. It’s fast and easy.

How it works:

1. You give your National Insurance number
2. The DWP quickly checks if you get benefits
3. You find out right away if you can get the cheap deal

This is good because:

• It’s quick
• You don’t need lots of papers
• You can get a cheaper internet service faster

Some mobile companies, like Sky Mobile, do this for phone deals too.

Remember, sometimes you might still need to show some papers, especially if you get disability benefits.

Other Ways to Get Cheap Internet

It’s not just Universal Credit that can get you cheap internet. Other financial support can help too.

Benefits that might help:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit

Different internet service providers have different rules. Some might give you a cheap deal for one benefit, while others might need a different one.

Some providers offer deals with faster speeds or included landline calls. Always ask what benefits count and what’s included. You might get a better deal than you thought!

If your benefits change, tell your provider. You might be able to get a better deal or avoid a penalty fee on your current contract.

Grab the cheapest Broadband & Phone Deals

Make savings up to 44% & keep the operational cost lower!!!

Compare Now

Find Cheaper Broadband by Comparing Deals

Even if you don’t qualify for a social tariff, you can still find cheaper broadband by comparing deals from different internet service providers.

Here’s how to find a better deal:

• Check what major providers offer in your area
• Look at the monthly price and contract length
• Compare internet connection speeds
• See if deals include extras like landline calls

Don’t forget to check for:

• Special offers for new customers
• Bundle deals with TV or mobile services
• Faster speed options that might be worth the extra cost

Remember, switching providers might save you money, but watch out for any penalty fees from your current contract.

Use online comparison tools such as Free Price Compare to easily see different deals side by side. This can help you find the best value internet service for your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Broadband Social Tariffs Eligibility

What’s the average download speed for social tariffs?

Most social tariffs offer speeds between 10-38 Mbps. This is enough for basic internet use and some streaming.

Can I get a social tariff if I’m already with a provider?

Yes, many providers let you switch to a social tariff even if you’re already their customer. But check about any early termination fees.

Do I need a landline for a social tariff broadband deal?

It depends on the provider. Some need a landline, others don’t. Always check with the company.

Can I get fibre broadband on a social tariff?

Yes, some providers like BT and Community Fibre offer fibre broadband on their social tariffs.

What if the UK broadband network Openreach doesn’t cover my area?

You might still be able to get a social tariff from providers that use different networks, like Virgin Media.

Can I use a social tariff for gaming?

Yes, but you might find the speeds a bit slow for some online games. Check the speed of the tariff before choosing.

How do I find out my postcode’s available broadband?

You can use online checker tools or contact broadband providers directly with your postcode.

Will a social tariff affect my credit score?

Most social tariffs don’t require a credit check, so they shouldn’t affect your credit score.

Can I keep my email address if I switch to a social tariff?

If you’re staying with the same provider, you can usually keep your email. If you’re switching, check with your new and old providers.

Are there any special deals for students?

Some providers offer student deals, which might be similar to social tariffs. Check with providers or student accommodation services.