Can I Get Social Tariff if I Receive Pension Credit?

People or households in receipt of certain benefits are eligible for a social tariff for their broadband. Pension credit is a benefit that tops up your existing state pension. But does receiving Pension Credit mean that you can benefit from a social broadband tariff? Read on to find out whether you’re eligible as well as how much you could save on your broadband.

What is Pension Credit?

In a nutshell, pension credit is extra money to help with your day-to-day living costs if you have reached state pension age and are on a low income. As well as a payment every four weeks, pension credit can also help with housing costs like service charges or ground rent. For more information on pension credit, including whether you are eligible and how you can claim it, visit the gov.uk Pension Credit calculator.

What is a social broadband tariff?

A social tariff is a special price plan that is offered exclusively to those who are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits. A social broadband tariff will allow you to benefit from a much lower monthly cost for your broadband connection. There are several UK providers who offer a social broadband tariff, and some are even able to offer you an ultrafast fibre connection for considerably less money than it would normally cost.

Social broadband tariffs for people who claim Pension Credit

If you receive pension credit every four weeks, then there are quite a few broadband providers who will be able to offer you an exclusive social tariff. It’s always a good idea to double check with the provider before signing up, but at the time of writing the following broadband providers will offer you a social tariff if you claim pension credit:

• Vodafone
• BT
• Sky
• NOW broadband
• KCOM
• Hyperoptic
• Network

Vodafone social broadband tariff

Vodafone are a well-known provider in the UK, offering great coverage and good speeds. Millions of people use Vodafone so they’re a great provider if you want a no-fuss broadband plan.

The Vodafone social broadband tariff is called ‘Vodafone Essentials Broadband’ and offers a fast, reliable service with speeds of up to 38Mbps for just £12 per month. This is to help people stay connected during difficult times when they have a low income. The plan is a 12-month contract which is reviewed at the end of the term to see if you qualify for it again in the future. You can currently benefit from the Vodafone Essentials social broadband tariff if you’re in receipt of any of the below benefits:

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you wish to apply for the Vodafone Essentials social broadband tariff, then you can do so by clicking here. You will need to provide proof of the benefit you receive, however if it is one of the above – including Pension Credit – then you are guaranteed to be eligible for it.

BT social broadband tariff

BT is a household name in the UK, and their broadband service comes highly recommended by their existing customers. If you want a large, well-known broadband provider then you don’t have to look any further than BT – who offer a social broadband tariff for both new and existing customers.

The social broadband tariff offered by BT is called BT Home Essentials Broadband, and there are two different packages available.

• 36Mbps broadband for £15 per month, and a £9.99 payment upfront
• 67Mbps broadband for £20 per month, and a £9.99 payment upfront

Both of these plans are on a 12-month contract which is shorter than the contracts offered by a lot of providers via their normal tariffs. In order to qualify for the social broadband tariff form BT then you will need to be entitled – and claiming – one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Jobseeker’s Allowance

So as long as you claim one of the above benefits, including Pension Credit, you will be eligible for the BT Home Essentials social broadband tariff. It’s worth noting here that as part of the application process BT will carry out a credit check, and some people may have to pay a refundable security deposit. BT will also review your eligibility for their Home Essentials social broadband tariffs every 12 months.

Sky social broadband tariff

When it comes to broadband in the UK, you can’t go far wrong when you choose Sky as a provider. Sky are very well-known for their excellent TV package, and their broadband comes just as highly rated. So if you’re already a Sky Broadband customer then you can easily switch to their social broadband tariff.

The tariff is called Sky Broadband Basics and costs £20 per month for 18 months. For this price you’ll get Sky Broadband Superfast 35, which boasts an average speed of 36Mbps. If fibre isn’t available where you live then you’ll get Sky Broadband Essential Plus, which has average speeds of 11Mbps.

Along with the above broadband package, Sky’s broadband social tariff also includes the call package Sky Pay As You Talk, whereby you only pay for the calls that you make so there’s no additional monthly fee.

The Sky social broadband tariff comes on an 18-month contract, but there is no early termination fee should you need to leave them before the 18 months is up. After 18 months with Sky your tariff will change to the standard rate, so you’ll need to contact them to negotiate another exclusive rate. In order to be eligible for the Sky social broadband tariff you will need to be in receipt of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit

So even if the only benefit you receive is Pension Credit, Sky will be able to help you by offering you their social broadband tariff.

NOW broadband social broadband tariff

NOW Broadband is a broadband package like no other. As well as broadband and calls, with NOW broadband you’ll also get the TV memberships that you already know and love. In terms of TV and broadband together, NOW Broadband is one of the best packages out there.

The social broadband tariff offered by NOW Broadband is called NOW Broadband Basics, and it’s available for £20 per month. For this you will get a NOW Fab Fibre membership which has an average download speed of 36Mbps, as well as NOW Calls. NOW Calls is a Pay as you go call plan, meaning that you only pay for the calls you make and no extra monthly charge.

When you sign up to the NOW Broadband social tariff you won’t be locking yourself into anyt long term commitment. It’s offered via on ongoing monthly contract, which means that all you need to do is let them know within 31 days that you want to cancel and there won’t be any early termination charges whatsoever. Currently the NOW Broadband Basics social tariff is available exclusively to those who receive the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit

So even if Pension Credit is the only benefit that you receive, if you’re claiming it then you are eligible for the NOW Broadband social broadband tariff. All you need to do when you apply is provide proof that the bill payer is receiving pension credit in order to benefit from NOW Broadband’s exclusive reduced rate.

KCOM social broadband tariff

If you want award-winning, simple, superfast broadband that is also affordable, then look no further than KCOM. Based in Hull and East Yorkshire, they offer fast, unlimited broadband that is complemented by local 24/7 customer support.

KCOM’s social tariff is called Flex. It offers 30Mbps Lightstream Full Fibre broadband for just £14.99 per month, and on a 30-day rolling contract. This means that you’ll get great speeds at a great price without the financial commitment of a 12-month or longer contract.

In order to benefit from the KCOM Full Fibre Flex package, you will need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• Housing Benefit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Care home residents and Lifeline customers who are referred to us via Social Services
• Care Leavers
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

 

To apply for the social broadband tariff from KCOM, simply click on the package on this page. From there you will be able to contact KCOM directly and provide them with proof that you are in receipt of Pension Credit or any other of the above benefits.

Hyperoptic social broadband tariff

Hyperoptic are one of the UK’s fastest fibre broadband providers. They are more widely available than Community Fibre, and they offer unlimited downloads and uploads with all of their packages.

In terms of social tariffs, Hyperoptic offer two different packages for those who are on Universal Credit or a few other benefits. The plans are called Fair Fibre 50 and Fair Fibre 150, offering speeds of 50Mbps and 150Mbps respectively. Fair Fibre 50 costs just £15 per month, and Fair Fibre 150 costs £25 per month. When you sign up to one of Hyperoptic’s social broadband tariffs you won’t need to sign up to a lengthy contract and you are eligible if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Housing Benefit
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Care Leavers Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you claim any of the above benefits, which includes Pension Credit then you are eligible for one of the Hyperoptic social broadband tariffs. All you need to do is sign up to one of the Hyperoptic social broadband tariffs on this page, and provide them with proof of the benefit(s) that you claim.

G.Network social broadband tariff

Although primarily serving London, G.Network is gradually expanding its services to offer ultrafast fibre broadband across the UK. In terms of speed it’s one of the fastest providers out there, so if you’re eligible for a G.Network social broadband tariff and it’s available in your area then we highly recommend it.

The G.Network social broadband tariff is called Essential Fibre Broadband. It offers a full fibre connection with a superfast download speed of 50Mbps for just £15 per month to those who are eligible. With your G.Network package you get a free router and connection to the service. The contract is 12-months, which is the shortest fixed-term contract you can get. In order to qualify for the G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband package you will need to be on any of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Income-related job seeker’s allowance (JSA)
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)

So as long as you receive one of the above benefits including Pension Credit then you are entitled to the Essential Fibre Broadband social tariff offered by G.Network. In order to apply you’ll need to provide proof of your benefit entitlement which can be done when you sign up to G.Network via their website.

Social broadband tariff for Pension Credit claimants

So there you have it. If you’re old enough to receive your pension, and you get it topped up by the government in the form of Pension Credit, then any of the above broadband providers have a social broadband tariff that should be able to help you.

A good internet connection is becoming increasingly important in order for people to live their day-to-day lives. Don’t get left behind just because you think that a suitable connection is too expensive. A social tariff for those receiving pension credit makes fast broadband affordable, which in turn will make life much easier. And the majority of broadband providers out there will be happy to help you find the right package for your budget.