If you’re receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or certain other benefits, you could be paying significantly less for your broadband. Social tariff broadband offers the same speeds and service as standard packages but costs between £10 and £24 per month, potentially saving you over £200 a year.
Despite these substantial savings, awareness remains low. Recent research shows that only around 8% of eligible households are actually using social tariffs, with over half of low-income households unaware that these discounts even exist.
This guide explains what social tariffs are, who qualifies, which providers offer them, and how to apply. If you’re struggling with broadband costs or simply want to reduce your bills, social tariffs could provide the relief you need.
What Are Social Tariffs?
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and phone packages designed specifically for people receiving government benefits or living on low incomes. They deliver the same service quality as standard packages but at a much lower monthly cost.
Social tariffs also come with stronger consumer protections than many standard contracts, including guaranteed fixed pricing, no exit fees, and flexible terms designed to give you security and freedom if your circumstances change.
How social tariffs work
When you sign up with a provider that offers a social tariff, you’ll need to prove you receive an eligible benefit (usually by providing a benefit award letter or your National Insurance number). Once verified, you’ll be placed on the discounted package. The service operates identically to standard broadband, same infrastructure, same speeds, same reliability, just at a significantly reduced monthly cost of £10-£24 instead of the typical £25-£35.
Key benefits of social tariffs
Social tariffs deliver the same speeds and service quality as standard packages but with better consumer protections:
- Significant savings – £10-£24 per month vs typical £25-£35 standard pricing
- Fast, unlimited broadband – Most offer 30+ Mbps, sufficient for streaming, working from home, and multiple devices
- No mid-contract price rises – Your cost stays fixed, unlike standard contracts with annual inflation-linked increases
- No exit fees – Leave at any time without penalty if circumstances change
- Low or no setup costs – Most providers waive or minimize installation fees
- Simple switching – If your current provider offers one, switch immediately without waiting for contracts to end
- Annual eligibility checks – Providers verify you still qualify each year; you’ll receive 30 days’ notice before any changes
Who Qualifies for Social Tariffs?
Eligibility for social tariffs centres primarily on receiving certain government benefits. While each provider sets their own criteria, most accept the same core benefits. To find out if you qualify, you can check your eligibility here.
Universal qualifying benefits
Nearly all providers offering social tariffs accept customers receiving:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
Additional qualifying benefits
Some providers extend eligibility to additional benefits, including:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Provider-specific requirements
Individual providers may have additional criteria beyond the universal benefits. Check the provider-specific sections below for detailed eligibility requirements.
Account holder requirements
The person receiving the benefit needs to be the account holder for the broadband service. When you apply, providers will verify your benefit status, typically by checking your details against government records or asking you to provide proof such as a recent benefit award letter.
Available Social Tariff Packages
Social tariffs are now available from major national providers and many regional full-fibre networks. The table below shows current packages, speeds, and prices.
National providers
| Provider | Package | Speed | Monthly Cost | Eligibility | Phone Line |
| BT | Home Essentials (No Income) | 36 Mbps | £15 | Universal Credit with zero earnings | Included |
| BT | Home Essentials | 36 Mbps | £20 | UC, ESA, JSA, Pension Credit, Income Support | Included |
| BT | Unlimited Fibre Plan | 67 Mbps | £20 | UC, ESA, JSA, Pension Credit, Income Support | Included |
| Sky | Broadband Basics | 36 Mbps | £20 | UC, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support (existing customers only) | Included |
| NOW Broadband | Basics | 36 Mbps | £20 | UC, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support | Included |
| Virgin Media | Essential | 15 Mbps | £12.50 | UC, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA | Broadband only |
| Virgin Media | Essential Plus | 54 Mbps | £20 | UC, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA | Broadband only |
| Vodafone | Essentials (Fibre 2) | 73 Mbps | £20 | JSA, UC, ESA, Disability Allowance, Pension Credit, PIP | Included |
Regional full-fibre providers
Many independent full-fibre networks offer social tariffs in areas they serve. These providers typically deliver faster speeds than the national average.
| Provider | Package | Speed | Monthly Cost | Coverage Area |
| Hyperoptic | Fair Fibre 50 | 57 Mbps | £15 | England, Scotland, Wales (selected areas) |
| Hyperoptic | Fair Fibre 150 | 150 Mbps | £20 | England, Scotland, Wales (selected areas) |
| Community Fibre | Essential | 35 Mbps | £12.50 | London |
| G.Network | Essential Fibre | 50 Mbps | £15 | London |
| Connect Fibre | Essentials | 150 Mbps | £20 | East Midlands (Cambridgeshire, Essex, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire) |
| Country Connect | Social Tariff | 25 Mbps | £15 | Wales (Newport) |
| County Broadband | Essential Broadband | 15 Mbps | £17.50 | East of England |
| Fibrus | Broadband | 50 Mbps | £14.99 | Northern Ireland |
| FibreNest | Social Tariff | 36 Mbps | £14.50 | England, Wales, Scotland |
| Hey!Broadband | Everyday Fibre | 100 Mbps | £19 | South East England |
| Highland Broadband | Fibre | 100 Mbps | £19.99 | Northern Scotland |
| KCOM | Full Fibre Flex | 30 Mbps | £14.99 | Hull, East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire |
| Lightning Fibre | Social Tariff | 50 Mbps | £15 | East Sussex, Kent |
| Quickline Fibre | Social Tariff | 100 Mbps | £16.50 | North East and East Midlands |
| 4th Utility | Social Tariff | 30 Mbps | £13.99 | Various towns across UK |
| Toob Fibre | Social Tariff | 50 Mbps | £15 | Hampshire |
| Truespeed | Basic | 30 Mbps | £20 | Somerset, Bath and rural areas |
| Wildanet | Fibre | 50 Mbps | £20 | Cornwall |
| WightFibre | Essential | 100 Mbps | £16.50 | Isle of Wight |
| YouFibre | Fibre | 50 Mbps | £16 | Various towns and villages across UK |
Coverage may not extend to all premises in the regions listed. Check the provider’s website or use their postcode checker to confirm availability at your address.
How to Apply for a Social Tariff
Getting onto a social tariff is straightforward. The application process typically takes just a few minutes, and you’ll usually know within a day or two whether you’ve been approved.
Step 1: Check if your current provider offers a social tariff
Start by finding out whether your existing broadband provider has a social tariff. If they do, this is usually the quickest route, as you can often switch to their social package immediately without changing providers or waiting for your current contract to end.
Check the tables above or visit your provider’s website. Most major providers now have dedicated pages explaining their social tariff offerings and eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Gather required documentation
You’ll need to prove you’re receiving an eligible benefit. Different providers accept different forms of proof, but common options include:
A recent benefit award letter
Screenshots or printouts from your Universal Credit account
Your National Insurance number (some providers verify benefits directly through government systems)
Proof of address (utility bill or council tax statement)
Have these documents ready before you apply. Digital copies are usually fine for online applications.
Step 3: Apply through your chosen provider
Contact your current provider (by phone, online chat, or website) to switch to their social tariff, or sign up with a new provider if yours doesn’t offer one. Your new provider will guide you through their verification process.
Step 4: Verification and approval
Providers will verify your benefit status, either by checking government records directly (using your National Insurance number) or by reviewing the proof documents you’ve submitted. This verification usually happens within 1-2 working days.
Once approved, you’ll receive confirmation and details about when your social tariff will start. If you’re already with the provider, the change often happens immediately. If you’re switching providers, expect the full switch to complete within two weeks.
Major Provider Social Tariffs
Here’s what you need to know about social tariff packages from the largest UK broadband providers.
BT Home Essentials
BT offers near-half-price fibre broadband for low-income customers who receive government financial support.
The ‘No Income’ plan provides 36 Mbps for £16 per month (Universal Credit recipients with zero employment income only). The standard Home Essentials offers 36 Mbps for £20 per month, or upgrade to Fibre 2 for 67 Mbps at £23 per month.
All packages include unlimited anytime calls to UK mobiles and landlines, plus an £11.99 one-off router delivery cost.
Who qualifies: Universal Credit, ESA, Pension Credit, JSA, Income Support.
Sky Broadband Basics
Sky Basics and NOW Basics both cost £20 per month for 36 Mbps with unlimited downloads and pay-as-you-go landline calls.
Who qualifies: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support. Existing Sky or NOW customers only.
Virgin Media Essential
Virgin Media offers Essential (15 Mbps) for £12.50 per month or Essential Plus (54 Mbps) for £20 per month. Both are 30-day rolling contracts.
Who qualifies: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA. Must live in Virgin Media’s cable network area (around 60% of UK premises).
Vodafone Essentials
Vodafone Essentials 2 provides 73 Mbps for £20 per month on 12-month contracts with no mid-contract price rises or exit fees.
Who qualifies: JSA, Universal Credit, ESA, Disability Allowance, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment. Complete a registration form online; approval takes about one week.
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre
Hyperoptic offers Fair Fibre 50 (50 Mbps) for £15 per month or Fair Fibre 150 (150 Mbps) for £20 per month. Monthly rolling contracts with free installation. Add landline for £3 per month.
Who qualifies: Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, JSA, Housing Benefit, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Care Leavers Support, ESA. Check coverage—network less widespread than major providers.
Community Fibre Essential
Community Fibre Essential offers 35 Mbps for £12.50 per month.
Who qualifies: No eligibility criteria, anyone can sign up. Available only in limited London areas on Community Fibre’s network.
To check what providers are available at your postcode, check Switchity’s social tariff broadband deals.
Your Rights on Social Tariffs
Social tariffs come with stronger consumer protections than many standard broadband contracts.
- Price guarantees – Providers cannot increase your monthly cost during your contract term for any reason, protecting you from inflation-linked rises that affect standard contracts.
- No exit fees – You can leave at any time without early termination charges, removing the financial risk of committing to a contract.
- Ongoing eligibility – Providers may check annually to confirm you still meet eligibility criteria. If you no longer receive a qualifying benefit, they’ll notify you in advance (typically 30 days) before moving you to a standard package, giving you time to explore alternatives.
Quick-Win Tips
- Start with your current provider – If they offer a social tariff, switching is usually faster and simpler than changing providers entirely. You can often move to their social package immediately.
- Prepare proof of benefits – Have your benefit award letter, Universal Credit account details, or National Insurance number ready before applying. This speeds up the verification process.
- Check coverage for regional providers – Some of the best-value social tariffs come from full-fibre providers like Hyperoptic or Community Fibre, but they’re only available in specific areas. Use their postcode checkers to confirm availability before assuming they’re an option.
- Don’t pay exit fees unnecessarily – If your current provider doesn’t offer a social tariff and you’re switching for affordability reasons, explain your situation and ask if they’ll waive early termination fees. Many will. For more on exit fees and when you can avoid them, see our exit fee calculator.
- Recheck eligibility annually – Providers often verify eligibility each year. If your circumstances change and you no longer qualify, use that advance notice period to find competitive standard deals rather than accepting whatever your provider automatically moves you to.
- Consider speed needs realistically – A 36 Mbps package handles most household internet use comfortably, including HD streaming and video calls. Don’t pay extra for faster speeds unless you have specific needs like multiple simultaneous 4K streams or large file uploads.
Broadband Social Tariffs Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I stop receiving benefits while on a social tariff?
Providers typically check your eligibility annually. If you no longer receive a qualifying benefit when they run this check, they’ll notify you and transition you to a standard package. You’ll usually receive advance notice (often 30 days) before the change happens, giving you time to explore other options. Some providers may offer you a competitive retention deal rather than immediately moving you to their highest rates.
Are speeds slower on social tariffs compared to regular packages?
No. Social tariffs deliver the same speeds and service quality as standard packages at similar speed tiers. A 36 Mbps social tariff performs identically to a 36 Mbps standard package. You’re getting exactly the same infrastructure, technology, and reliability. The only difference is the reduced monthly price.
Can I get social tariff mobile packages too?
Some providers offer discounted mobile packages for people on benefits, though these aren’t always called social tariffs. Vodafone’s VOXI For Now costs £10 per month for 5G data, unlimited calls and texts. O2’s Essential Plan offers similar benefits at the same price. These mobile social tariffs typically require you to prove benefit eligibility just like broadband social tariffs.
Is there free internet for people on benefits?
There’s no permanently free broadband service funded by the UK government. Social tariffs at £10-£15 per month represent the most affordable option available. However, TalkTalk partners with Jobcentre Plus to offer six-month free broadband vouchers for their Fibre 35 package in some areas. Once that free period ends, you can start a new contract with TalkTalk or move to another provider. Check with your local Jobcentre about current availability.
What if I’m not eligible for a social tariff?
If you don’t receive qualifying benefits but still want to find a low-cost broadband deal, several options exist. Use Switchity’s comparison tool to find the cheapest standard packages in your area. Consider negotiating with your current provider, especially if you’re out of contract. Look at providers’ basic packages, which often offer lower speeds at reduced prices. Some providers, like Community Fibre Essential, offer very low prices without eligibility restrictions, though availability is limited to specific areas. For more tips read our guide on how to save money on broadband.
Do social tariffs include TV or other services?
Social tariffs typically focus on broadband and landline phone services. TV packages are usually separate. If you currently have a bundle that includes TV and want to switch to a social tariff, check whether you’ll need to cancel the TV service separately or if the provider can adjust just the broadband element. For more details on managing bundled services when switching, see our guide on broadband bundles.
Does EE Have a Broadband Social Tariff?
EE doesn’t offer its own social tariff, but EE customers can access BT Home Essentials since both are part of BT Group.
Related Guides
For more detailed information on specific aspects of switching broadband and managing bundles, see our comprehensive guides:
- How to Switch Broadband Provider UK – Complete step-by-step switching process
- One Touch Switch Explained – How the 2024 switching rules work
- Understanding Broadband Exit Fees & Early Termination Charges – Calculate costs and learn negotiation strategies
- Your Rights When Switching Broadband – Consumer protections, compensation, and speed guarantees
- Switching Broadband When Moving House – Provider notice periods and installation timelines
- Switching Broadband Bundles Guide: TV, Phone & Mobile – Bundle-specific switching rules
- How to Save Money on Broadband, Phone and TV Bills – Money-saving tips on switching and negotiation tactics
Use our tools
- Broadband Speed Test – Test your broadband speed in seconds
- Broadband Early Termination Fee Calculator – Work out what you’d pay to leave early
- Broadband Comparison – Compare standalone broadband deals with our postcode checker tool
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- Broadband and Home Phone Packages – Compare broadband and phone combinations
