DWP claimants handed £12.50 a month broadband to help with cost of living

Jamie Brassington
·3-min read
person using a laptop
-Credit: (Image: PA)


DWP recipients can take action to ensure they are not overpaying for broadband. With Black Friday just around the corner, it's worth checking if you may be eligible for a cheaper deal or a so-called social tariff, which could lower bills to as little as £12.50 per month.

Before contacting your broadband provider, take a look at their website to get an understanding of the deals on offer - these are often only available to new customers. But don't hesitate to ask for a better deal, especially if you see an offer that provides the same service and speed you currently have but at a lesser price, reports DevonLive.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis is a big supporter of haggling to secure cheaper broadband and streaming subscription services. While this can significantly reduce your monthly cost, checking if you are eligible for a broadband social tariff is an even simpler solution and could save you up to £200 over the next year.

READ MORE: DWP announces extra £475 for households with shake-up of benefit payments

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Low-income State Pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit, or those claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) may be able to switch to a social tariff. A social tariff could potentially save you around £200 each year.

The fastest way to determine your eligibility for a social tariff is to directly contact your supplier and inquire - even if you don't qualify, they may be able to suggest other methods to lower your broadband bill. It can be somewhat perplexing to know if the benefit you're claiming qualifies for a social tariff, so we've put together a list of all available social tariffs and the benefits that qualify for them.

A system established in 2022 allows broadband providers to quickly check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's consent. The DWP's system will be able to confirm entitlement for the following benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Income Support, Jobseeker's allowance, Employment and support allowance, Care Leaver's Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance.

The providers listed below are taken from Ofcom's most recent guidance on social tariff broadband packages. Direct links to the broadband provider websites can be found here. Please note that the broadband providers listed may not be available in your area. Those that cover the entire UK are marked as 'UK':

Universal Credit

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Attendance Allowance

  • KCOM

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

Pension Credit

Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales KCOM BT - UK EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK NOW Broadband - UK 4th Utility - UK Virgin Media - UK Sky Broadband - UK Vodafone - UK

Income Support

Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales KCOM BT - UK EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK NOW Broadband - UK 4th Utility - UK Virgin Media - UK Sky Broadband - UK Vodafone - UK

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • Vodafone - UK

Employment and support allowance

Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales KCOM BT - UK EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK NOW Broadband - UK 4th Utility - UK Virgin Media - UK Sky Broadband - UK Vodafone - UK

Care Leaver's Support

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • Housing Benefit

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  • Vodafone - UK

Jobseeker's allowance

Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales KCOM BT - UK EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK NOW Broadband - UK 4th Utility - UK Virgin Media - UK Sky Broadband - UK Vodafone - UK

Reduced Earnings Allowance

  • Vodafone - UK

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