Special tariff can drop broadband bills to under £20 - how to check if you qualify

Broadband users looking to lower their monthly bills may not be aware that they can switch providers 50 days before their current contract ends without suffering any early termination charges.

And some customers might be eligible for a social tariff with their existing provider, potentially reducing the monthly fee to less than £20. For example, Virgin Media, offers one at £12.50.

At present, more than 30 broadband social tariffs are available from providers nationwide, meaning a quick call to your supplier could significantly cut your bill before the next payment is due. The full list can be found on the Ofcom website here, reports the Daily Record.

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The simplest way to find out if you're eligible for a cheaper broadband package is to contact your provider. If you're currently receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Income Support, refer to the guide at the end of this article to see which providers consider these benefits in their eligibility criteria - this applies to individuals of all ages.

Despite this, the uptake of social tariffs remains low, with only 5.1 per cent of qualifying households claiming them, suggesting that an estimated four million are missing out.

Social Tariffs

A social tariff could potentially save you around £200 annually. The most straightforward way to determine your eligibility for a social tariff is to directly contact your supplier and ask - even if you don't qualify, they might suggest other methods to lower your broadband bill.

A new system introduced in 2022 simplifies the process for broadband providers to verify eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's consent.

The DWP's system can confirm entitlement for the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-Related Employment Support Allowance

Broadband benefits and social tariffs

The providers mentioned below are from Ofcom's latest guidance on social tariff broadband packages. Direct links to the broadband provider websites can be found here.

PIP

• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• Vodafone - UK

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• Vodafone - UK

Income Support

• BT - UK
• EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
• 4th Utility - UK
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband - UK
• Sky Broadband - UK
• Virgin Media - UK
• Vodafone - UK

Jobseeker's allowance

• BT - UK
• EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
• 4th Utility - UK
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband - UK
• Sky Broadband - UK
• Virgin Media - UK
• Vodafone - UK

Employment and support allowance

• BT - UK
• EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
• 4th Utility - UK
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband - UK
• Sky Broadband - UK
• Virgin Media - UK
• Vodafone - UK

Care Leaver's Support

• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• Housing Benefit
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

Reduced Earnings Allowance

• Vodafone - UK

Universal Credit

• BT - UK
• EE Basic (Now offered through BT - UK
• 4th Utility - UK
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband - UK
• Sky Broadband - UK
• Virgin Media - UK
• Vodafone - UK

Pension Credit

• BT - UK
• EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
• 4th Utility - UK
• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband - UK
• Sky Broadband - UK
• Virgin Media - UK
• Vodafone - UK

Attendance Allowance

• Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
• KCOM