If you are on a low income, you could be paying far more than you need to for your broadband and mobile phone. Social tariffs are cheaper deals for people on benefits, often half the price of a normal package, yet most people who could get one have never heard of them. This guide explains what social tariffs are, who qualifies, how much you can save, and how to switch.
What social tariffs are
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and mobile deals offered to people who receive certain benefits. They are sometimes called essential or basic packages, but they provide the same service, over the same network, at the same speeds as standard deals, simply at a lower price. They exist because being online is now essential for work, banking, schoolwork and using government services, so the aim is to keep people connected at a price they can afford.
Who can get one
You can usually get a social tariff if you, or someone in your household, receives a qualifying benefit. Universal Credit and Pension Credit are the most common, and many providers also accept benefits such as income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support. Some providers go further and offer social tariffs to people on non-means-tested benefits such as Personal Independence Payment. The exact rules vary by provider, so it is worth checking which deals you qualify for.
How much you can save
The savings can be substantial. While a standard broadband package often costs around thirty pounds a month or more, social tariffs typically cost in the region of twelve to twenty pounds a month, which can save a household something like two hundred pounds or more a year. For a household on a tight budget, that is a meaningful saving for exactly the same service, which is why social tariffs are so worth claiming if you are eligible.
The same service, better terms
A social tariff is not a worse service; it is the same broadband at a lower price, and the terms are often better than standard deals. Many social tariffs have no annual mid-contract price rises, no exit fees, and short or rolling contracts, which gives you more flexibility than a typical deal. So as well as paying less, you may find the contract terms are more forgiving, with the freedom to leave or change without penalty if your circumstances change.
How to switch
Switching to a social tariff is usually quick and straightforward. You can check whether your provider offers one and whether you qualify, and then move onto it, often keeping the same connection and speed. Importantly, you can usually switch to a social tariff even if you are partway through a contract, without paying an exit fee, because moving to one is treated differently from switching provider. The application normally takes only a short time to complete.
Mobile social tariffs
It is not only broadband; some providers offer social tariffs for mobile phones too, giving cheaper calls, texts and data to people on qualifying benefits. If you rely on your mobile for getting online as well as for calls, a mobile social tariff can bring worthwhile savings in the same way. It is worth checking what is available from mobile providers alongside broadband, so you reduce the cost of staying connected across the board.
Why so few people use them
Despite the savings, only a small fraction of eligible households actually use a social tariff, mainly because most people simply do not know they exist. Providers do not always promote them prominently, so it is easy to keep paying full price without realising there is a cheaper option. This is exactly why it is worth checking: if you are on a qualifying benefit and paying a standard price, you may be overpaying for no reason.
How to check what you qualify for
Because each provider sets its own rules and prices, the best way to find the right social tariff is to compare what is available. Independent organisations and consumer bodies publish lists of providers offering social tariffs, the benefits each accepts, and the prices, so you can see at a glance which deals you qualify for. Your current provider can also tell you whether they offer one and whether you are eligible, which is often the quickest place to start.
It does not affect your benefits
Switching to a social tariff has no effect on your benefits, because it simply changes the price you pay for a service, rather than counting as income or support. This means there is no downside to moving onto one if you qualify; you keep all your benefits and simply pay less for your broadband or mobile. For a household watching every pound, that is a straightforward saving with nothing to lose by claiming it.
Worth a few minutes to check
Given how much you can save, and how quick it is to check, looking into a social tariff is one of the easiest ways to cut a regular bill. If you receive a qualifying benefit, take a few minutes to see what your provider offers and to compare it with other social tariffs. You may find you can keep the same service while paying noticeably less each month, which adds up to a real saving over a year.
Help for families with children
Social tariffs can be especially valuable for families with children, who often rely on a good internet connection for schoolwork as well as everyday life. Being able to keep a fast, reliable connection at a much lower price means children are not left without the access they need for their education. If you have children and receive a qualifying benefit, a social tariff can protect that connection while easing the pressure on your household budget.
If your provider does not offer one
Not every provider offers a social tariff, and not every social tariff is available in every area, but you are not stuck if yours does not. Because moving to a social tariff is treated differently from an ordinary switch, you can usually change to a different provider that does offer one without paying an exit fee, even mid-contract. So if your current provider has nothing suitable, it is worth looking at what others offer rather than assuming you cannot benefit.
In short
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and mobile deals for people on benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit, offering the same service for around twelve to twenty pounds a month instead of thirty or more. They often have better contract terms too, and you can usually switch even mid-contract without a fee. Most eligible people do not know they exist, so it is well worth checking.
A simple, lasting saving
Unlike some forms of help that are one-off, moving to a social tariff is a saving that continues month after month for as long as you qualify, making it one of the more lasting ways to cut your outgoings. Once you have switched, you simply keep paying the lower price, so a few minutes spent checking and switching now can save you a worthwhile amount across the whole year and beyond.
Where to get help
Ofcom and Citizens Advice list providers offering social tariffs, and your own provider can tell you if you qualify. See our guides to help with energy bills and getting a benefits check for more ways to cut your costs.