The BBC has reported that only one in twenty claimants who are eligible for social tariff broadband have actually signed up, with 4.3 million potentially eligible people apparently missing out. We’d like to hear about your experience if you’ve signed up for social tariff broadband or what made you decide against it.

Claimants on a range of benefits are eligible for social tariff broadband deals.

All the major suppliers offer a cheaper deal if you are on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support.

Some also extend their offer to PIP claimants.

Prices range from £10 to £20 a month with speeds from 15 to 100 Mbits, depending on the supplier.

The Ofcom website has a full list of suppliers and prices, with links to their individual terms and conditions.

Citizens Advice estimates that one million people have cancelled their broadband in the last year because of the cost of living, with UC claimants 12 times more likely to have done so than non-claimants.

Yet social tariff deals are not proving popular and Citizens Advice wants Ofcom to "hold firms' feet to the fire" to improve their take-up.

But is it just lack of awareness of these schemes that is holding people back? Or is it that mobile phones are a necessity while home broadband is an unaffordable luxury for many claimants, no matter how cheap the deal?

Please let us know your opinion of the scheme in the comments section.

You can read the full story on the BBC website.

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    Runnin On Empty · 1 years ago
    I'm  paying for 250 mbits  tarrif with Virgin  broadband and main phone, its mega expensive and that's slow at times, drops out,  and has many issues, so I'd hate to think what this social tarrif & its speed  would be like and that's what's stopped me applying for it, because being able to do a few bits online when your poorly/disabled not only lifts the spirits but it makes you feel not so isolated. 
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      frank · 1 years ago
      @Runnin On Empty 250mbits They have had you over everything is all unlimited now,it dont make no sense,i would leave & go to another provider.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James Jamieson · 1 years ago
      @Runnin On Empty Use Resolver. Issue a complaint and demand compensation. They are in breach of contract for failing to provide you with the speeds that they promised you. Its easy and they contact Virgin on your behalf. 
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    minocat123 · 1 years ago
    My broadband provider is plusnet, but when I checked, it wasn’t on the social tariff list. 
     
    Because I struggle with the stress of changing suppliers, I am stuck with plusnet and this year my tarrif has gone up to £24 just for the broadband.

    I don’t have a tv but i need to rely on my broadband WiFi to be able to use my mobile phone to communicate with other services via my email. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Karen Nicklin · 1 years ago
      @minocat123 Hi there I have anxiety over everything but it is an easy thing to do .
      Like I said above I’m a council Tennant so having to pay bedroom tax on a tiny room I keep my wheelchair and walker , and other bulky items I need daily. , plus I need wheelchair access in my bedroom so my clothes are next door . The government states there is help at the council but it is not easy to receive plus the forms are a nightmare .
      But Bt has worked out , it’s running great .
      My EE phone bill is now much lower after moving from 02 .
      Sky payment is reduced . 
      The Water  board  ours in Northumberland took its discount off even though they can afford to help out surely . 
      Look on the internet if u can . See what’s available . Sometimes saying you are leaving gives some company’s a boost to find you a lower package as they don’t wish to loose customers .
      Some holiday parks have disabled caravans that they rent out cheaper to folk with disability’s .
      I made some calls and expected no help but was pleasantly surprised at some company  . 
      They can only say yes or no . 
      My only complaint is the government and council saying help is available.
      The forms and proof they keep making you go away and have to show all your personal bank details and food receipts to receive bedroom tax rebate for. Your disabled adapted home of nearly 30 years that is under threat every six month when you have to re-apply for bedroom tax aid is very nerve wracking plus embarrassing knowing folk who actually work in these places friend , close family member also are going through what and how you spend your finances on . What you spend on dog food and personal items etc makes me very very anxious.
      What’s sad is my tiny box room was so small for my 6 ft tall son we took the big built in cupboard doors off , bought him a raised cabin bed and had the bed converted to go inside the cupboard just so he could have a drawers under his bed and and a tiny pull out table to do his homework on lol . Box room is the correct title for it . 
      Move out or pay more I was told plus they didn’t charge me for the tax straight away only when I was refused . 
      So I have a back dated bill on my rent account they are now hounding me for .
      Money in one hand taken off u in the other .
      Just move to a tiny bungalow or ground floor flat is the councils helpful advice .Sadly the only areas wth those kind of housing   
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sja · 1 years ago
    Vodafone do a socail tariff  for u.c claimants for WiFi only at £12 a month  d/d and no exit fees and no price rise for the year . Fiber optic 37 speed .
    It took alit of searching and calling etc to find this and in so.e areas may not work it  depends . My area is open reach who controls it . I'm in Taplow south bucks 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      James Jamieson · 1 years ago
      @Sja I can confirm what you have said but if you are on fibre you'll lose your BT landline to a system called Voip.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Skippy · 1 years ago
      @Sja What I would like to know is, do these companies offering social tariff expect proof of your eligibility?
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    Penny · 1 years ago
    I am with BT.  No-ne there has ever mentioned to me about social tariffs even though I have told them that I am elderly and with a low income and on various benefits. I have been with them for many years. I saw about the social tariffs through Martin Lewis on TV.  I applied to BT and I did not qualify even though I am on housing benefit and also get pension credit.  This is because I am on savings credit instead of guarantee credit.  I have a tiny extra private pension which means my income is slightly higher than someone who just gets the basic state pension.  I don't see the logic in excluding me as my income is still very small and paying for broadband and a landline takes up a large part of my income.  I would be very happy with basic broadband and landline only which is what I have already.  
    I phoned BT and asked to be moved to one of the tariffs which does accept those on savings credit and they said because I would be breaking my contract it would cost me £500 to move.  I explained that I did not have £500 and it upset me so much I ended up in tears.  I wish someone would get all broadband providers to agree to give social tariffs to all those who are on benefits because they have low incomes. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      frank · 1 years ago
      @Penny when your contract runs out leave & go to another provider,research cost nothing.
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    Julie · 1 years ago
    It’s the drop in speed and buffering that’s stopping us. I use internet for my work and need it to be as reliable as it can where I live.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Doug · 1 years ago
    Unable to get reduced internet tariff in Colchester Essex.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jane · 1 years ago
    I recently renewed my contract with Vodafone before realising I could get a social tariff.  I phoned and explained and they have lowered my broadband from around £24 to just over £12.  As I had signed up for a two year contract they said I could still keep that and nothing would change apart from the price and nothing has - very happy customer.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kaz · 1 years ago
      @Jane Yes me too.  Had Vodafone broadband which was costing £34 a month, but now down to £12 and don’t notice any difference in service.. 
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    Maggie · 1 years ago
    I tried to change to a social tarrif some years ago & BT were snooty & unhelpful & said I couldn't change mid-contract. Then I went to a budget provider & the speeds were 8-10MB (rural area). So I went back to BT for £35 month BB & calls. Due to my disability I am very frightened of answering the phone to people I don't know & very vulnerable to being scammed. I am terrified of unexpected calls from DWP when there's no one to help me. I have a BT phone blocker & caller display phone.
    However after your latest newsletter & phone/broadband bill £50 month! I had a look at deals in my area using Martin Lewis website. BT do an essentials fibre social tarrif including all calls & decent speed (av 63MB) for £20 month. It was painless & free to switch (just had to give National Insurance number & they check eligibility automatically) & the man was very nice & kind. The phone number is kept confidential.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sue · 1 years ago
    I asked Scottish Power about this last week in the store and was told to phone 191.  I also sent an email, which didn’t get answered.  There doesn’t seem to be any help or they pretend not to know about it. 
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    LilaKitten · 1 years ago
    I heard about broadband social tariffs via MSE website last year, but had a lot of trouble accessing support via the usual BT Web pages. I eventually got assistance via their telephone helpline. The agent told me that their social tariff is hidden & not promoted!

    I was with Plusnet (a BT sister company) but was still charged an early termination fee, refunded after sending copies of my final charges.

    I chose the £15pm package, which includes line rental, fibre broadband, & some free calls.

    Their other package is £20pm, with faster speeds.

    I hope this helps other people to apply :)
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Donna · 1 years ago
    I'm with Bt social broadband and it's great. Was with plusnet they didn't do a social tarrif and I was paying double the price. By going to BT social tarrif, I pay 15.00 a month and 4.99 for phone add-ons that's a bargain..... 
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    Richard · 1 years ago
    Hi. I took it up two yrs ago more than halved the price I was paying  my speed stayed the same only no longer have landline had to changed to wifi calls can't use phone if no wifi but that's not a problem have mobile, you do not have to take wifi calls but you will lose you land line, I am with BT my cost is £20.00pm £10 to 15 without wifi calls I was paying £49.50pm so a £19.52 reduction per month
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    greeneyedlad · 1 years ago
    In most cases the speeds offered are much slower
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Pauline Lyon · 1 years ago
    Although I could avail of this offer of cheap broadband,  u have not done so as the offer does not meet the broadband speed necessary in my area.

    It's not really a help I'd its only the basic package and it doesn't meet your requirements. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Louise · 1 years ago
    I transferred to BT in May because their offer was much cheaper than my previous provider, £20 p.m. compared to £35, and the broadband speed was actually faster! I was angry that my previous provider had not let me know about social tariffs since they were introduced a year ago. I guess that lack of information is the main reason for people not switching. Really we need social tariffs for everything - utilities and mobile phones. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Liz · 11 months ago
      @Louise Totally agree exact same for us we transferred to BT social tariff & our old provider who we had been with for 10 years knew our circumstances & knew we were struggling but never told us they had a social tariff 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Judith · 1 years ago
    I phoned BT last week after I read about this and was told that I did not have the right criteria for the social broadband, even though I have full disability (enhanced PIP) and have had for years now. They told me that enhanced PIP was NOT a qualification for the offer! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Michael Hunt · 1 years ago
    I think the biggest reason for the low uptake is the fact that no-one knows about them and they are not advertised or even disclosed by the internet companies. Take virgin media for example - their social broadband is called 'universal credit broadband' (although it also covers other benefits). This isnt listed under their main tariffs on their main website and is over in a separate part of the website which I could only find from using a search engine. And further to this I recently called up to renew my non-social tariff with virgin media - and on the call I clearly explained I was disabled and on a low income with disability benefits - and the customer service agent never even mentioned the much cheaper social tariffs. They simply offered me the cheapest price they could on one of their normal plans.

    Then after you’re first email on this a few weeks ago I called up virgin media again and specifically asked for details on their social tariffs and they instantly gave me all the details – they told me where to find the plan details online, the prices & speeds, and also that you can change onto a social tariff at any point during you’re contract with no extra fees. All that you have to do is fill in a form online and then if you’re accepted they will reduce you’re speed and reduce you’re bills. They are also 30 day rolling contracts so its easy to swap back to a higher speed tariff if you’re money situation changed in the future.

    But this brings me onto my 2nd point as to why these social tariffs aren’t very well used – the speed is pretty low compared to other packages. You said in you’re initial email that speeds can be as high as 100mpbs with certain companies. But I don’t know which one. Virgin media is one of the fastest internet companies in the uk, and their 100mbps and 200mpbs packages aren’t that expensive. And although the social tariffs are cheaper the speed decrease means a lot of streaming and gaming services that many disabled people use to keep occupied wouldn’t work properly. For example the virgin social tariffs are 12mbps or 24mbps and the highest is only 56mpbs. If they offered a 100mpbs social tariff it would be perfect for me – but 56mpbs is too low for a lot of streaming services. For some people who just browse the internet and social media and things maybe those speeds would be just fine.

    So just to conclude the 2 reasons I think the uptake in social tariffs is low is because for one they are quite hidden and not advertised or disclosed very well by the internet providers, and for 2 because the speeds are very low compared to the normal tariffs the companies offer. It might cost half the price but you get a quarter of the speed. Basically for the low speed you get these social tariffs are still too expensive. 
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    Bridget · 1 years ago
    You have to have a credit check some people won’t pass this
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    DB · 1 years ago
    I'm with Sky social tariff for £20 a month, the speed is slower than I had, with buffering sometimes but as I live alone it is just about ok.  They were very kind, easy to contact and offered me a free sim card for 6 months to go with the tariff. I am in Pension Credit.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Vanessa Thompson · 1 years ago
    I tried getting this with BT as I claim PIP. Unfortunately I didn't qualify as I'm on legacy benefits 😕 

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