Broadband social tariffs

You might be eligible for cheaper broadband!

If you are a low income household and are in receipt of certain benefits such as:

  • Universal Credit
  • Job Seekers Allowance
  • Housing benefit
  • Disability allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment

You could be eligible for cheaper broadband or a cheaper phone line.

Lots of broadband providers are offering deals or ‘social tariffs’ to customers, meaning you could get the same service as other new or existing customers for a lower cost.

It can be difficult to make sense of the best deals that might be available to you. We have put together a guide to explain your options for getting more affordable broadband.

If you're concerned about your finances, please speak to our Income Team on 0344 736 0066 – they can check you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to.

Affordable broadband guide

A number of providers offer deals to customers in receipt of certain benefits:

TalkTalk

Offers six months of free broadband for jobseekers through a voucher scheme
Apply Via Jobcentre
 

BT Home Essentials

The Unlimited Fibre Essential Plan will get you online from £15 per month if you are in receipt of:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Pensions Credit
  • Employment and Support Allowance or
  • Universal Credit.

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre

You can get home broadband from £15 per month if you are in receipt of:

  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-related Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Care Leavers support or
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (EAS).

There is limited availability for this providor: you can use their postcode checker to see if Hyperoptic is available in your area - Click here to use the postcode checker

NOW Broadband Basics

NOW Broadband Basics offers broadband for £20 per month to those in receipt of:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-based Employment Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or
  • Income Support

What happens to the broadband if I stop receiving benefits?

Providers will verify that you receive a qualifying benefit when you sign up. They'll also perform regular checks (typically at the end of each contract term) to see if you still qualify.

You may need a landline to access these services

Always compare deals to see what else is out there; switching providers is easy and lets you take advantage of the best offers aimed at new customers.

 

I don’t have broadband at home, can I get internet access for free?

BT offers a Home Essentials call-only plan, with unlimited minutes a month talk time to all UK landlines and mobiles. This costs £10 a month. You can find out more in the downloadable PDF from BT

If you don't have broadband at home, there are ways that you can get online: 

  • Public Wi-Fi hotspots – Café’s, pubs, shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and many other locations. You might need get yourself a cup of tea to use them, but lots are free to access
     
  • Library computers - Public libraries have computers and Wi-Fi that anyone can use