11 January 2024 , 15:11
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Many companies offer cheaper broadband and mobile deals, known as social tariffs - but millions of people who are eligible for these discounted rates are missing out.
Social tariffs are typically available for low income households who are in receipt of certain benefits. Prices start from £12 a month with Vodafone, EE and SMARTY - but you might also be able to get six months free broadband if you're a jobseeker through TalkTalk.
As well as being cheaper than standard deals, social tariffs also normally don't come with any exit fees. It is worth checking what is available in your area, as some deals are location specific - you can see a full list of deals below.
Regulator Ofcom claims more than four million people are missing out on savings averaging £144 each year by not taking advantage of a social tariff. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently launched a scheme which makes it easier to identity people on benefits, so they can claim a social tariff.
The scheme lets internet service providers – with customers’ permission – ask the DWP whether they are claiming benefits. It means someone should not need to keep proving they are entitled to social tariffs.
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Full list of broadband and mobile social tariffs
These are the current social tariffs listed by Ofcom. Check each tariff online to see which benefits you need to be claiming in order to take out one of these deals.
For the TalkTalk deal, you'll need to apply through the JobCentre. As for the rest of them, on the Ofcom website, it states Universal Credit claimants will be able to switch to any of these tariffs.
Most major providers will also cover people on Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support, while some may allow other benefits.
- 4th Utility Social Tariff - £13.99 a month, 30Mbps (England)
- BT Home Essentials No Income - £15 a month, 36Mbps (UK)
- BT Home Essentials Unlimited - £20 a month, 36Mbps (UK)
- BT Home Essentials Unlimited - £23 a month, 67Mbps (UK)
- Community Fibre Essential- £12.50 a month, 35Mbps (London)
- Connect Fibre Basic Essentials - £20 a month, 50Mbps (Cambridgeshire, Essex, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire)
- Country Connect Social Tariff - £15 a month, 50Mbps (Newport)
- County Broadband Essential Broadband Tariff - £15 a month, 15Mbps (East of England)
- EE Basics - £12 a month, up to 25Mbps (UK)
- G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband - £15 a month, 50Mbps (London)
- Grayshott Gigabit Connect - £19 a month, 100Mbps (England)
- Hey! Broadband Everyday Fibre - £16 a month, 100Mbps (South East England)
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre - £15 a month, 50Mbps (England, Scotland, Wales)
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre - £20 a month, 150Mbps (England, Scotland, Wales)
- KCOM Full Fibre Flex - £14.99 a month, 30Mbps (Hull)
- Lightning Fibre Social Tariff - £15 a month, 50Mbps (East Sussex and Kent)
- Lothian Broadband Social Tariff - £19.99 a month, 100Mbps (Lothian)
- NOW Broadband Basics - £20 a month, 36Mbps (UK)
- Quickline Social Tariff - £16.50 a month, 100Mbps (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)
- RunFibre social tariff - £20 a month, 100Mbps (South Gloucestershire)
- Shell Essentials Fast Broadband - £15 a month, 11Mbps (UK)
- Shell Essentials Fibre Broadband - £20 a month, 38Mbps (UK)
- Sky Broadband Basics - £20 a month, 36 Mbps (UK)
- SMARTY Social Tariff - £12 a month, 5G where available (UK)
- TalkTalk - FREE for six months, 38Mbps (UK)
- Truespeed Basic - £20 a month, 30Mbps (South West England)
- Virgin Media Essential Broadband - £12.50 a month, 15Mbps (UK)
- Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus - £20 a month, 54 Mbps (UK)
- Vodafone Fibre 1 Essentials - £12 per month, 38Mbps (UK)
- Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials - £20 per month, 73Mbps (UK)
- VOXI For Now - £10 a month, 5G where available (UK)
- Wildanet Helping Hand Social Tariff - £20 a month, 30-100Mpbs (Cornwall and Devon)
- WightFibre Essential Broadband - £16.50 a month, 100Mbps (Isle of Wight)
- YouFibre Social Tariff - £15 a month, 50Mbps (various locations)