Broadband social tariffs - how you can save £220 a year
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A broadband social tariff is a broadband contract available to people on benefits and Universal Credit. You receive the same level of service

A woman working at a laptop with a broadband router in the foreground

4.8 million UK broadband customers are missing out on £1.05bn of savings. This is the finding of analysis by comparison site Broadband Genie.

Broadband social tariffs are available to 5.3 million households. You can apply for one if you receive benefits or Universal Credit. Currently however, only a fraction (10%) of eligible households take up a social tariff.

A broadband social tariff costs less than a regular deal. Eligible customers can sign up for as little as £10 a month, significantly less over a 12-month period than a regular broadband plan. Broadband Genie’s analysis estimates that eligible households would save £220 a year by switching to a social tariff.

What is a broadband social tariff?

A broadband social tariff is a broadband contract available to people on benefits and Universal Credit. You receive the same level of service as any other customer, but at a lower monthly cost. Eligible customers can switch to a social tariff at any time, won’t incur any mid-contract price rises, and will not have to pay any setup or exit fees.

Purpl is a platform that finds discounts for disabled people and people living with long-term health conditions. Founder Georgina Colman highlighted the need to raise awareness of available support and the risks disabled consumers face if broadband becomes unaffordable:

This is a cost-of-living scandal hiding in plain sight. Millions of people on low incomes, including disabled people and those on Universal Credit, are overpaying for broadband simply because they don’t know help exists.

Broadband is an essential service, and when households could be saving around £220 a year, the lack of awareness around social tariffs is letting people down. Providers need to do far more to actively tell customers what they’re entitled to.

If broadband becomes unaffordable, disabled people don’t just lose an internet connection, they lose a vital lifeline. For many, it’s how they stay in touch with family, access support, manage their health and avoid isolation.

Disabled people are already more likely to experience loneliness, and pricing them out of broadband risks cutting them off from the world at a time when digital access is no longer optional.

How to sign up to a social tariff

  • Do you qualify for a social tariff? Eligibility criteria vary between providers, but social tariffs are generally available to low-income households and those receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.
  • Compare the tariffs available to you. If your current provider doesn’t offer a social tariff, or you don’t meet their criteria, you may wish to explore other options. If you explain your circumstances, your provider might let you leave your current contract without paying a penalty fee. Ofcom and trusted comparison sites publish information on the broadband tariffs available.
  • Apply with the provider. To apply, you’ll usually need to provide your contact details, National Insurance number, and proof of benefits. Once submitted, your provider will verify your eligibility with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This process is typically quick and can sometimes be completed instantly.
  • Switching and installation. If you’re switching to a new provider, the One Touch Switch process means your new provider will handle all the stress of cancelling your existing contract and activating your new connection.
  • I’m not eligible for a social tariff, or my application was rejected. If your application was rejected, double-check the eligibility criteria. If you can’t get a broadband social tariff, 8.8 million bill payers are out of contract and are free to switch to something cheaper.

Alex Tofts from Broadband Genie said:

While take-up of broadband social tariffs is moving in the right direction, progress is slow. Only a fraction of eligible households are signed up to a social tariff.

We encourage anyone who thinks they’re eligible for a social tariff to apply online or to contact their provider.

Awareness of these tariffs is a huge challenge, and providers need to play their part in making these products known to consumers. We found less than half of providers mention their social tariff on their website homepage. Offering social tariffs is voluntary for providers, and integrating them into a sustainable business model can be challenging. As a result, many providers invest little in promoting these packages.

If you’re not eligible for a social tariff, 8.8 million bill payers are out of contract and can switch or renew their deal to lower their monthly outgoings.

Featured image via the Canary

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