A number of mobile phone, home phone and broadband providers in the UK have a more affordable package available to people who receive means tested benefits. These packages are referred to as ‘social tariff(s)’ and most offer the very same service on conventional tariffs but for a significant cost reduction per month.

Some providers do a great job at advertising social tariffs while others do not. The telecoms regulator Ofcom have made it clear that they remain unimpressed by providers who either do not offer these services or who aren’t advertising them widely enough. Unfortunately TalkTalk and O2 are two of the largest telecoms providers who do not have a social tariff. Some providers offer the social tariff to customers for as long as they remain eligible whereas others limit theirs to a set duration after which the special pricing will cease.

When a new order is placed for a social tariff product, the provider will use your details including your national insurance number in order to obtain confirmation from the DWP that you receive means tested benefit.

BT - British Telecom

BT have three such packages available and two include line rental and broadband.

Home Essentials 1 - Unlimited data. Speed up to 36Mbps. 700 minutes of calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £15 per month

Home Essentials 2 - Unlimited data. Speed up to 67Mbps. Includes unlimited free calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £20 per month

Home Essentials - Calls only plan - includes line rental and unlimited free calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £10 per month

To place an order for any Home Essentials package, you need to call 0800 800 150.

Sky Broadband

Sky offer one social tariff product.

Sky - Superfast fibre broadband. Speed up to 36Mbps. Sky Pay As You Go Talk including landline rental cost. Includes a Sky mobile subscription with 3GB data allowance, unlimited free texts, unlimited calls to UK mobiles and landlines and a 5G add-on. Social tariff is available for 18 months after which the customer will move to a standard plan.

• £20 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call Sky customer services on 03337 593 452.

Virgin Media

Virgin Media have three such packages available and two include fibre broadband.

Essential Broadband - Speed up to 15Mbps.

• £12.50 per month

Essential Broadband Plus - Speed up to 54Mbps.

• £20 per month

Essential Broadband Plus with Stream - Speed up to 54Mbps includes Virgin Media stream box.

• £20 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call Virgin Media via live chat at https://rb.gy/k5gfl

Lothian Broadband

Lothian Broadband offer one social tariff product.

Lothian Broadband Social Tariff - Fibre broadband with speeds of up to 100Mbps.

• £19.99 per month with a 24 month contract

To make an order for this package, you need to contact Lothian Broadband on 03302 369 900.

Vodafone Home Broadband

Vodafone offer one social tariff product for broadband.

Vodafone Essentials Broadband - Speeds of up to 38Mbps.

• £12 per month

To make an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/u8y16

VOXI Mobile

VOXI offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service. The VOXI service uses Vodafone’s mobile telephone network.

VOXI for now - Unlimited data, calls and text messages. Lasts for 6 months then customer moved to a standard £10 per month plan.

• £10 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/ua5sc

SMARTY Mobile

SMARTY offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service. The SMARTY service uses Three’s mobile telephone network.

SMARTY social tariff - Unlimited data, calls and text messages. EU roaming and 5G at no additional cost.

• £12 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/0883d

EE Mobile

EE offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service.

EE Basics - 5GB data, unlimited calls and unlimited text messages.

• £12 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call EE on 150 if you are a current customer or if you are not, then call 0800 956 6000.

Other Providers

The above list is far from complete and only highlights a few services I’d personally recommend. I have no business or other relationship with any of the providers or companies listed above. There are a number of other suppliers offering social tariffs and you should view the full list on the Ofcom website at https://rb.gy/f0yqg