What are social tariffs?
Social tariffs are a special type of discounted broadband deal available to those receiving certain types of government support payments.
They function just like a regular broadband deal, except:
- They have lower monthly and upfront costs.
- Their contracts are more flexible – there is usually a 12 month contract period, but you can generally cancel at any time without paying an early termination fee.
- They do not have mid-contract price rises, unlike most broadband deals which are typically subject to a £4 price increase each April.
- You generally need to prove your eligibility to receive a social tariff. These types of plans are usually only available to those receiving certain types of government support payments.
- Their download speeds are usually on the slower side, but are still enough for most households’ basic internet needs.
Apart from broadband social tariffs, there are ones for mobile phone plans as well, though they are often not that much cheaper than buying a regular pay as you go SIM deal.
To learn more, read Ofcom’s guide to social tariffs.
Who is eligible for a social broadband tariff?
Most social tariffs are available to those receiving one or more of the following government support payments:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
Some providers also accept those who receive other types of benefits, such as a Personal Independence Payment, or Housing Benefit.
Community Fibre is a rare exception – their social tariff is available to all customers in their coverage areas (mostly in Greater London), with no eligibility check required.
Importantly, if you are currently in a fixed-term broadband contract, you can generally switch to a social tariff if you are eligible and your current provider offers one, without paying a contract termination fee. You will need to call your provider, explain your circumstances, and prove your eligibility.
How to apply for a social tariff
To buy a social tariff, you usually have to apply over the phone to confirm your eligibility, rather than being able to order online.
First, navigate to the provider’s social tariff page, which we have linked to on each social tariff shown in our comparison engine above.
There, you will find details about how to get in contact to order a social tariff, and who is eligible.
Over the phone, you will usually need to provide your National Insurance number, so the provider can confirm with the Department for Work & Pensions that you are entitled to use a social tariff. You may also need to pass a credit check – if this is a challenge, some providers allow you to pay a deposit to get started.
After passing the eligibility check, your social tariff will be provisioned. When the contract expires, you will generally need to reconfirm your eligibility over the phone to continue accessing the discounted plan.
Which broadband providers offer social tariffs?
The following major broadband providers currently offer social tariffs:
- BT
- Virgin Media
- EE
- Vodafone
- Sky Broadband
- NOW Broadband
- KCOM
- Community Fibre
- YouFibre
- Hyperoptic
- Fibrus
- Hey!Broadband
A number of other smaller providers such as Highland Broadband and County Broadband also offer social tariffs in certain parts of the UK.
To find which social tariffs you can get at your address, put in your postcode at the top of this page.
Other ways to save money on broadband
If you are not eligible for a social tariff, there are some other ways you can save money on your broadband bill:
- Only buy a plan with the download and upload speed you really need, because fast broadband can be very expensive with some providers. You can use our bandwidth needs calculator to get an idea of the minimum download and upload speed you need for your household.
- Avoid extra add-ons such as pay TV, bundled SIM plans, or inclusive landline calling minutes, unless you really need them.
- Ensure to check for the cheapest provider in your area. Recently, many new broadband networks have sprung up around the UK in certain areas, and they often offer cheaper prices than the likes of BT or Virgin Media.
- Avoid going out of contract, if possible. Most broadband providers increase their monthly costs significantly as soon as the fixed-term period of the contract is over. If you don’t mind the commitment, it’s best to renew or switch providers if you’re currently out of contract.
If you are currently in-contract and struggling to afford your broadband bill, call up your provider and ask for support. You may be able to switch to a cheaper plan, or remove bundled extras or add-ons in order to lower your monthly bill.