Social tariff broadband: how to get cheaper broadband on low income and Universal Credit

Whether sharing information, communicating with loved ones, or researching the latest school or university project, fast and reliable internet access is now a requirement of modern, daily life. This access should be available to everyone, including low income families and individuals. This is where social tariffs, also known as low-income broadband, can help.

Social tariffs offer a way from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer particularly cheap broadband deals to eligible low income households and individuals in need of financial support in managing their monthly internet bill.

What is social tariff broadband?

Social tariffs are specialised internet plans offered to certain eligible households and individuals. These plans are typically much cheaper than regular deals on the market, with monthly prices starting at just £12.50.

And, unlike standard broadband packages, social tariffs are exempt from annual price rises and exit fees.

Social tariff providers

Below is a list of providers who offer social tariffs and the eligibility requirements they have in place for qualifying.

Air Broadband Fibre 40

Package details:-

£20 per month for 40Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Unlike most providers who offer social tariff broadband, Air does not perform an eligibility check when signing up to their Fibre 40 social tariff.

BT Home Essentials

Package details:-

£15 (£9.99 upfront) per month for 36Mbps

£20 (£9.99 upfront) per month for 67Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support allowance, Pension Credit, jobseeker's Allowance, or Income Support.

Community Fibre Essential 35 (no landline)

Package details:-

£12.50 per month for 35Mbps over 12-months

Eligibility requirements:-

No special requirements, but must live in an area covered by Community Fibre's network ( Barnet, Brent, Bexley, Brent, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, and Westminster).

G Network Essential Fibre broadband (no landline)

Package details:-

£15 per month for 50Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, or Income Support.

Hey! Broadband Everyday Fibre broadband (no landline)

Package details:-

£15 per month for 100Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds

Eligiblity requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, or Income Support.

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre broadband (no landline)

Package details:-

£15 per month for 50Mbps (£3 extra per month with line)

£25 per month for 150Mbps (£3 extra per month with line)

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Care Leavers Support, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Also must be living in an area Hyperoptic covers.

KCOM Full Fibre Flex

Package details:-

£19.99 per month for 30Mbps

Average speed:

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit (with zero earnings), Jobseeker's Allowance, income support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Also must be living in an area KCOM covers (East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, and Hull).

NOW Basics (broadband & landline)

Package details:-

£20 per month for 36Mbps

Average speed:

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and be an existing NOW customer.

Sky Basics (broadband & landline)

Package details:-

£20 per month over 18 months for 36Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and be an existing SKY customer.

TalkTalk broadband (no phone line)

Package details:-

FREE for 38Mbps over six months

Eligibility requirements:-

Strictly reserved for jobseeker's receiving Universal Credit who do not currently have an internet connection, with eligibility determined by Jobcentre staff.

Virgin Media Essential broadband (no phone line)

Package details:-

£15 per month for 15Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving Universal Credit. Also must live in an area covered by Virgin.

Vodafone Fibre 1 Essentials & Fibre 2 Essentials

Fibre 1 package details:-

£12 per month for 38Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Allowance.

Fibre 2 package details:-

£20 per month for 73Mbps

Eligibility requirements:-

Must live in an area where a full fibre broadband connection is available.

Must also be receiving at least one of the following: Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Allowance.

Who is eligible for low income broadband?

Research conducted by communications regulator Ofcom, shows that an estimated 4.2 million households across the UK are eligible for a social tariff, but only 1.2% - or 55,000 - have taken advantage of the scheme. This means millions of households across the country remain unaware they could be saving up to £234 a year - or nearly £20 per month - by having cheaper broadband.

So what are the eligibility requirements?

If you currently receive means-tested state benefits - such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit - you'll likely qualify for a social tariff. Exact requirements will also depend on your location and which provider you choose.

Some providers will only offer social tariffs to those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit, while others have more flexible guidelines on eligibility - accepting those on Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Guaranteed Credit and more.

Broadband companies such as Hyperoptic and KCOM offer social tariffs to customers that receive non-means tested benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).

London-based Community Fibre even offers a special tariff to all its new customers - 10Mbps for £12.50 per month over 12 months - with no requirement to prove eligibility.

How do providers verify my eligibility?

Since August 2022, Internet Service Providers have been able to confirm which customers qualify for a social tariff.

For eligible customers, your provider will need to gain your consent before speaking to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about your eligibility. No information - other than confirmation that you are entitled to a social tariff package at the time of contact - will be shared.

Should I sign up for a social tariff?

If you're eligible and struggling to get by, a social tariff can be of significant help. In addition to its affordable pricing, social tariffs offer the added security that prices will not increase - something not guaranteed with standard broadband deals.

However, the downside to social tariffs is that the number of full fibre packages available is limited.

I want to move to social tariff broadband. Do I need to pay exit fees to switch?

No. As long as you intend to remain with the same provider, you will not face any charges to switch from your current contract to social tariff home broadband.

I'm not eligible for a social tariff. Can I still get cheap broadband?

If you're concerned about how much your monthly internet bill is and are not eligible for a social tariff, the first-step is to check if you're still in contract. If you're still in contract, depending on how many months you have remaining, you may have to pay Early Termination Charges (ERCs) to exit.

But if you can't afford to pay ERCs and are struggling with your current monthly payments, it’s always best to speak with your provider first. They can assist you by setting up a payment plan, providing you with additional time to pay. Your provider can also help move you over to a more affordable plan.

If you're ready to switch, run a quote with Switchcraft and we'll search a range of cheap broadband deals to help you find a cost-effective solution to your needs.