Social Broadband Tariffs for PIP Claimants

If you receive the Personal Independence Payment benefit then read on to find out whether you are eligible for a social broadband tariff with any of the UK’s leading providers. You will also find out how to sign up to the tariff. So act now to save money on your broadband.

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment – also known as PIP- is a benefit for people who need assistance with day-to-day activities or getting around because of either a long-term physical or mental illness or disability.

Having such an illness or disability can make everyday life more difficult. In some cases it can also affect the amount of income you can earn. For example, if you have to reduce your working hours or give up work completely.

Providing you are below state pension age and over the age of 16, you can claim PIP for such illnesses and disabilities. Personal Independence Payment could give you a bit of extra money to help you pay for things. It can be spent on whatever you need. For more information about PIP as well as eligibility criteria, visit the Personal Independence Payment page on the gov.uk website.

What is a Social Broadband Tariff?

A social tariff is a special reduced tariff that is exclusively for households that are on a low income or receive certain means-tested or non-means-tested benefits.

In terms of broadband, a social tariff is designed to get people connected to the internet who otherwise may not have the financial means to access it. There are several UK broadband providers out there who offer social broadband tariffs, and  the eligibility criteria will vary between each provider. Some providers will only offer their social broadband tariffs to people who are in receipt of Universal Credit for example. Others will accept a wider range of benefits.

Social Broadband Tariffs for Personal Independence PIP claimants

If you receive a weekly Personal Independence Payment, then there are some broadband providers who will be able to offer you a social tariff. It’s always a good idea to check with the individual providers yourself, but at the time of writing the following three broadband providers offer a social tariff for PIP claimants:

• Community Fibre
• Hyperoptic
• KCOM
• Vodafone

Community Fibre social broadband tariff

You may not have heard of Community Fibre before, and this is because they currently have very limited coverage within the UK. Currently they only serve London. However, if you live within an area of London that is able to get Community Fibre, they are one of the fastest fibre broadband providers available.

Community Broadband’s social broadband tariff is called Essential 10Mbps. It is a 12-month broadband package which costs just £10 per month and is available to anyone who receives the following benefits:

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

If you receive any of the above benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, then you will be eligible for the Community Fibre social broadband tariff. To benefit from this deal you will need to email evidence of your benefit payment in the form of your benefit documents. See the Community Fibre website for more information on how to do that.

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 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.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)

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.

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.

Flex is the name of KCOM’s social tariff. 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 receive one of the following:

• 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. Then you can provide them with proof that you are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment or any other of the above benefits.

 

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
• 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 PIP Personal Independence Payment – then you are guaranteed to be eligible for it.

Social broadband bariffs for PIP claimants

If Personal Independence Payment is the only benefit that you receive, then don’t think that you can’t benefit from any social broadband tariffs. Although currently there aren’t many providers who offer a social access package for PIP claimants, you are still eligible for a social tariff from either Community Fibre, Hyperoptic or KCOM. And it’s possible that in the future more broadband providers will offer a social tariff to people who claim PIP or Personal Independence Payment.