Broadband social tariffs

Monday, March 20 2023

Kim Staples

If you’re in receipt of certain benefits in the UK, such as Universal Credit, you may be entitled to a low-cost social tariff from your broadband provider. Read on for everything you need to know.

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What are social tariff broadband deals?

In a nutshell, social tariffs are cheaper broadband (and often landline) packages only available to those on low income and/or receiving certain benefits.

The idea is to make sure everyone has access to an internet connection regardless of your financial circumstances.

Generally, a social tariff will give you a ‘basic’ service compared to the broadband providers’ other packages – but the good news is that you can still get truly unlimited fibre broadband at pretty decent speeds.

You’ll notice that there’s no early termination fee, even if you sign up to a contract. That means you’re free to switch broadband provider or change your package whenever you like, with no penalty.

Am I eligible for social broadband tariffs?

Eligibility for social tariffs depends on the provider. See below for the major providers’ criteria.

You’re almost certainly eligible for a tariff if you’re receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, or Income Support.

Some providers stretch the eligibility criteria to include those on other benefits, such as Disability Allowance or Care Leavers – and in some cases are simply open to all.

Note that in order to qualify, the person receiving the benefits will need to be the named account holder on your broadband bill.

If you qualify, you can sign up to any social tariff from a provider available in your postcode – whether you’re currently receiving broadband from them or not.

What if I’m not eligible?

If you’re in need of low-cost broadband but aren’t on any of the qualifying benefits, you may still be able to find a cheap broadband deal that doesn’t stretch your finances too much.

Enter your postcode into our comparison tool to see everything available to you. Then sort it by cost to see the cheapest deals right there at the top.

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You may need to compromise, such as by picking a package with slower speeds or with fewer benefits and extras.

Another option is to use your mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot when you need it. However, this isn’t ideal if you need the internet for anything other than light browsing – and you’ll need a decent data allowance.

Can I get broadband social tariffs if I’m receiving Universal Credit?

Yes. Just about every social tariff offered by providers is available to people on Universal Credit. See below for the full list of ones we work with that do so.

Broadband social tariffs available in the UK

Here is a selection of social tariffs available from the UK’s major broadband providers, as well as a few smaller providers we work with.

The costs, plans, and details are all correct at the time of writing (March 2023). To check the rates are what you’re expecting, use our broadband comparison tool to see up-to-the-minute costs for packages in your area. Or, go directly to the provider’s website.

BT

BT Home Essentials is the social tariff available from the UK’s biggest broadband provider.

You get unlimited broadband on a 12-month contract, though there’s no penalty if you switch before the contract is up. You have a choice of two packages:

36Mbps average download speeds for £15 per month
67Mbps for £20 per month

And you have the option to include a calls package, too.

There’s also a small setup fee for all broadband packages.

You qualify if you’re receiving one of these benefits:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
Employment and Support Allowance (eligibility rules apply)
Jobseeker’s Allowance (eligibility rules apply)
Income Support

When you apply, BT will check your eligibility and run a credit check. You may have to pay a deposit, but it’s refundable.

Community Fibre

Community Fibre offers an Essential package. It’s available to everyone, even if you’re not on benefits, so there’s no need to prove your eligibility. You just need to be a new customer.

You get unlimited broadband from the provider’s full fibre (FTTP) network – £12.50 per month for average download speeds of 20Mbps, on a 12-month contract. It’s broadband-only – you won’t get a landline phone.

You’ll need to pay a £9.95 set-up fee.

Check your postcode, as Community Fibre isn’t available everywhere.

G.Network

G.Network offers an Essential Fibre package.

For £15 per month, on a 12-month contract (though no penalty fee if you switch), you get full fibre (FTTP) broadband with generous average download speeds of 50Mbps.

It’s broadband-only – you can’t get a landline phone too.

You qualify if you’re receiving one of these benefits:

Universal Credit
Income Support
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Check your postcode, as G.Network is only available in select areas of London.

Hyperoptic

Hyperoptic offers a Fair Fibre Plan for those on certain benefits, with very fast speeds thanks to its full fibre (FTTP) network. You have a choice of two packages:

£15 per month for average download speeds of 50Mbps
£20 per month for 150Mbps

You can add a landline phone for £3 per month, too.

And there’s no commitment – the Fair Fibre Plan operates on a rolling monthly basis. You can cancel and switch at any time.

You qualify if you’re receiving:

Income Support
Pension Credit
Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
Housing Benefit
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Universal Credit
Care Leavers Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Check your postcode, because Hyperoptic is only available in select areas.

KCOM

Those in the Hull area where KCOM operates can access its Flex broadband package.

For £14.99 per month, you get 30Mbps full fibre (FTTP) broadband, on a rolling 30-day contract.

The main package is broadband-only, but you can add a landline for an extra £5.10 per month on a 12-month contract.

You qualify if you’re receiving or are one of the following:

Income Support
Pension Credit
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Housing Benefit
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Universal Credit, with zero earnings
Care home residents and Lifeline customers, referred via Social Services
Care Leavers
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

NOW Broadband

If you’re claiming certain benefits you can get NOW Broadband Basics.

It’s a discounted version of the provider’s Fab Fibre package – £20 per month for 36Mbps fibre broadband, on a rolling monthly basis.

It includes a phone line with pay-as-you-go calls, which you can upgrade to include a calls plan (such as inclusive evening and weekend calls).

You qualify if you’re receiving:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income-based Employment Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income Support

Sky

With Sky Broadband Basics, you get a discounted version of Sky Broadband Superfast 35.

That means fibre broadband with average download speeds of 36Mbps, for £20 per month. If fibre is unavailable for your home, you’ll get Sky Broadband Essential Plus instead (11Mbps average download speeds).

It’s on an 18-month contract, but there’s no early termination fee if you cancel it early.

You’ll also get a phone line with pay-as-you-go calls. But if you’d rather use your mobile, Sky’s social tariff also entitles you to a free Sky Mobile SIM with 3GB data per month.

You qualify if you’re receiving:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income-based Employment Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income Support

TalkTalk

TalkTalk offers a basic fibre optic broadband package free for six months. You get average download speeds of 38Mbps, and no phone line.

It isn’t technically a social tariff, and you can’t sign up to it online. You can only get it if you’re a jobseeker on Universal Credit with no internet connection at home. Your eligibility will be decided by Jobcentre staff, who will then refer you to TalkTalk if you qualify.

Talk to your Jobcentre if you think that might be you.

Virgin Media

Virgin Media Essential Broadband is available in three flavours:

Essential Broadband – £12.50 per month, fibre broadband only with average download speeds of 15Mbps
Essential Broadband Plus – £20 per month, fibre broadband only with speeds of 54Mbps
Essential Broadband Plus with Stream – same as above, but with a one-off Stream setup fee to give you basic TV streaming

This makes Virgin currently the only major provider to offer a social tariff on TV too. It isn’t as comprehensive as other Virgin TV packages, but does give you a little set-top box to plug into your telly to access a range of channels, streaming services (extra fees may apply, e.g. for a Netflix account), and features.

You qualify for Essential Broadband if you’re receiving:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-based Employment Support Allowance

Vodafone

Vodafone Essentials Broadband costs £12 per month for a year, then £22 per month thereafter, though there’s no early termination fee if you cancel at any point.

You get fibre optic broadband with average download speeds of 38Mbps, which also includes line rental with pay-as-you-go calls.

You qualify if you’re receiving: