People on Universal Credit and benefits are only just realising they can get cheaper bills by filling in simple form | The Sun
PEOPLE on Universal Credit and legacy benefits are only just realising that they can get cheaper bills by filling in a simple form.
It comes as up to four million hard-up households are thought to be missing out on substantial broadband savings.
In fact, those on benefits can save up to £256 a year on their broadband bills if they take out little-known social broadband tariffs.
Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, one person said: "Lots of people maybe already know this but I only recently found out so this is for others like me who didn't know.
"A lot of companies are offering cheaper broadband for people on Universal Credit and Pension Credit but not for those on legacy benefits waiting to be migrated over to Universal Credit.
"Did a web search and came across Vodafone which have an essentials package for just £12 per month.
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"Not only can those on legacy benefits like working tax credits apply but also those claiming PIP.
"You fill out a form online then they call you a few days later to check you're eligible and take your details."
The average broadband bill costs £33.35 or £400 a year, according to the price comparison website MoneySuperMarket – so it's worth checking if you can save with one of these cheaper contracts.
We recently launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs.
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Ofcom has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.
You'll have to check each telecom provider to see how to apply – you'll often have to do this online or over the phone.
Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.
Always remember that the exact amount you'll save by switching will depend on how much you were paying for your broadband before.
Here's a full list of firms offering social tariffs and their eligibility requirements.
BT
BT offers customers on selected benefits a low-cost 12-month contract costing £15 a month.
Average broadband speeds for the tariff are rated at 36Mb. You can check to see if your home is BT-ready by using the firm's postcode checker on its website.
You'll need to be in receipt of the following benefits to be eligible:
- Universal Credit
- Pension credit (guarantee credit)
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's allowance
- Income support
Customers can also get faster speeds with the BT Home Essentials 2 tariff which costs £20 a month.
Check if you're eligible on BT's website.
Now
Now's Broadband Basics package is open to all those who receive Universal Credit and pension credit.
You can grab a 36Mbps contract for £20 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.
If you're interested in the package you'll need to ring Now on 0333 759 5056.
Sky
Like Now, those receiving Universal Credit and pension credit are eligible for Sky's social broadband tariff – dubbed Broadband Basics.
It'll set you back £20 a month over an 18-month term and it'll give you speeds up to 36Mbps.
To check if you're eligible and to apply for the tariff you'll need to call Sky on 0333 759 3898.
Virgin Media
Virgin's social broadband package costs just £12.50 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.
Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:
- Income-based employment support allowance (I-ESA)
- Income-based jobseekers allowance (I-JSA)
- Income support
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
If you want to subscribe to an Essential broadband package, you will need to provide your full name, postcode and date of birth, and confirm your consent to Virgin Media to perform an eligibility check.
Visit the Virgin Media website and sign up through the live chat function.
Vodafone
Vodafone's Essentials Broadband costs just £12 a month and comes with 38Mbps download speeds.
Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:
- Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
Existing Vodafone customers that have been identified as financially vulnerable can also get the service.
Visit the Vodafone UK website to sign up for Vodafone Essentials Broadband.
Alternatively, you can visit a Vodafone store or call the customer service team on 0333 304 0191.
Hyperoptic
Customers living in several of the UK's biggest cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow are able to take advantage of Hyperoptic's Fair Fibre plans.
The firm offers four social broadband tariffs priced between £15 and £28 a month and covering speeds between 50Mbs and 150Mbs.
The contracts are also set up on a 30-day rolling basis which means you can cancel the contract with more flexibility than other longer tariffs.
To be eligible you'll need to be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension credit (guarantee credit)
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's allowance
- Income support
- Personal independence payments (PIP)
- Care leavers support
You can apply over the phone by calling 0333 920 9747 or emailing [email protected].
Do any other firms offer social tariffs?
A number of other smaller regions firms offer social broadband tariffs.
You'll have to check directly to see if your region is eligible.
The total amount you'll save will also vary depending on which provider you switch to.
Community Fibre Essential
- £12.50 a month
- 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
KCOM
- £14.99 a month
- 30 Mbit/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
Wildanet Helping Hand Social Tariff
- £20 a month
- 30-100 Mbits/s speed
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WightFibre Essential Broadband
- £16.50 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
4th Utility Social Tariff
- £13.99 a month
- 30 Mbits/s speed
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