Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit claimants are being urged to check if they can save money on broadband bills, as some social tariffs can slash costs to as low as £12.50 per month.
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit and other benefits. These tariffs are delivered the same way as standard packages but at a reduced price.
Eligibility for social tariffs generally includes low-income state pensioners on Pension Credit or those receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). Switching to a social tariff could save eligible customers around £200 per year.
The simplest way to check eligibility is to contact your broadband provider directly. A system introduced in 2022 allows broadband providers, with the claimant’s consent, to verify eligibility quickly using a DWP IT system.
Even if you do not qualify, your provider may suggest alternative ways to reduce your broadband bill, making it important to still make the check.
Understanding whether the benefit you’re claiming qualifies for a social tariff can be tricky, so we’ve put together a list of all available social tariffs and the benefits that make you eligible for them.
Benefits the DWP’s system will be able to verify entitlement for are:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment Support Allowance.
The providers listed below are taken from Ofcom’s most recent guidance on social tariff broadband packages. Direct links to the broadband provider websites can be found here.
Please note, the broadband providers listed may not be available in your area. Those covering the entire UK are marked as ‘UK’.
Universal Credit
- BT – UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Pension Credit
- BT – UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Attendance Allowance
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Vodafone – UK
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Vodafone – UK
- Income Support
- BT – UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Jobseeker’s allowance
- BT – UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
- Employment and support allowance
- BT – UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) – UK
- 4th Utility – UK
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband – UK
- Sky Broadband – UK
- Virgin Media – UK
- Vodafone – UK
Care Leaver’s Support
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
Housing Benefit
- Hyperoptic – Scotland, England and Wales
Reduced Earnings Allowance
Since navigating eligibility criteria for social tariffs can be confusing, a list of all available social tariffs and the benefits that make customers eligible is available to help clarify this.
