How people on Universal Credit and other DWP benefits can cut broadband costs

Linda Howard & Sonia Sharma
·3-min read
If you’re on benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be able to switch to a social tariff for your broadband
If you’re on benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be able to switch to a social tariff for your broadband -Credit:PA


Broadband prices are rising across the UK - but people who claim benefits may be able to reduce their costs by switching to a social tariff.

Broadband providers tie their annual price hikes to a measurement called the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and this year, the CPI is high, leading broadband companies to increase their prices to match. The quickest way to find out if you can change your package to a cheaper deal and save money is to contact your provider.

If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be able to switch to a social tariff, reports the Daily Record. A full list of participating providers can be found on the Ofcom website here. More details are provided below.

Social tariffs

It can be quite confusing knowing if the benefit you are claiming is eligible for a social tariff so we have compiled a list of all the social tariffs available and the benefits that qualify for them. A new system put in place in 2022 makes it quicker for broadband providers to check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's permission. A social tariff could bring savings of around £200 each year.

Benefits the DWP’s system will be able to verify entitlement for are:

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Income Support

  • Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income-Related Employment Support Allowance

Benefits and social tariff broadband

The providers listed below are taken from the latest guidance on social tariff broadband packages from Ofcom. You can get direct links to the broadband provider websites here. The broadband providers listed may not be available in your area, we’ve marked those that cover the entire UK as ‘UK’.

Universal Credit

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Pension Credit

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Attendance Allowance

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

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

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • Vodafone - UK

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  • Vodafone - UK

Income Support

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Jobseeker's allowance

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Employment and support allowance

  • BT - UK

  • EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK

  • 4th Utility - UK

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • NOW Broadband - UK

  • Sky Broadband - UK

  • Virgin Media - UK

  • Vodafone - UK

Care Leaver's Support

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

  • KCOM

  • Housing Benefit

  • Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales

Reduced Earnings Allowance

  • Vodafone - UK

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