Did you know benefits claimants can get half-price broadband?

[GarlicGrace]

According to Ofcom, awareness of this scheme is very low.

If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available.

All major providers also include people on Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.

Some providers might include additional benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.

The person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract.

Service checker here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

(AIBU to try and save Mumsnetters some money?!)

Iv had this with BTinternet for over a year now. Its been a huge help. I found out about the scheme through a Facebook advert

Some FB adverts are worthwhile!

Isn’t it only really slow broadband though?

Yeah. This is what puts me off switching.

I’m on the social tariff with bt, the speeds are good. I can work from home and stream stuff on the tv too.

@Divorcedalongtime @SouthCountryGirl check this out.
I've only looked up BT so far, sure the others have good offers too.

Unlimited Fibre 35Mb with 700 minutes phone calls, £15
Unlimited Fibre 59-73Mb with unlimited phone calls £20
https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

This put me off too. I game in VR, and decent speeds are important.

You need faster than 60Mb??

I'm with BT I was an early sign up to the scheme and they charge me £10.07 for phone/ broadband. When I first signed up the woman said they'd move me back on to copper and my internet would suffer slow speeds of less than 2Mb. It was like they were trying to put me off. I explained I was already on copper and my broadband speed was .526Mb if I was lucky. Weirdly it's been much more reliable than when I paid £38.99 a month

It’s quite common to need at least 200 now if you came, especially if there are several of you living in the house.

we upgraded from 60 because it was so slow

Same here, VR, Xbox, computer gaming and 4 mobile phones.

I did not know that. Thank you OP

Hi @GarlicGrace thank you for this!

Ooh, thank you. Will look into that anon.

No major speed needs here, either.

Good god! Well, that's easily the most persuasive argument for not learning how to play the bloody things.

Really pleased this has already helped some others! Thanks for the feedback, @PerkingFaintly @Summer2424 @TooBigForMyBoots.

I'm signing up with BT tomorrow.

Do you need to be out of contract to apply for it, or can you switch over to it? I'm tied into my £38pm contract for arthritic speeds, i can't see how it can get any slower. They only guarantee the speed at the point it comes into the house. So when mine didn't work 12 inches from modem, their response is use an ethernet cable🙄.

I moved when I was within contract with Bt.

It might be easier to apply now but when. I applied it was a challenging process. You had to call, assure them you didn’t mind slow internet , they sent a paper form that took 3.5 weeks to arrive, simple enough NI number permission to check with DWP type stuff. Fill out paper form and return. Receive letter denying your application as you had failed to complete your application within 28 days. Not allowed to reapply for 6 months from date of original application. Call and begin a formal complaint / appeal as it would be impossible to complete application process sooner. Appeal successful after another month.

I’m hoping it’s easier now. I applied during the pandemic when the scheme was first launched.It is worth sticking with it I’ve saved £500+ since then.

When I checked this out, it appeared to limit the number of devices you can use on the system though, is this correct? This is why I didn't go for it.

If anyone has managed to actually get in touch with Virgin to see this up please let me know. Its as if they want to 1. tell you that its possible and 2. Make it impossible to carry out.

I don't think it is really slow, it's the normal FTTC type broadband, about 35-60 Mb which is fine for normal internet for browsing, streaming etc. It's designed so people can get on the internet and do everyday things not high speed gaming and 4K TV, that is a luxury you pay for yourself. We used to have that speed internet and it was fine for everyday stuff

Well if you can afford all that, you don't need help with the cost of broadband.

The social tariffs are more about social inclusion, giving people access to a reasonable service so they can do things like claim benefits, run bank/utility accounts, access information, operate a streaming service like Netflix, shop online etc. Not run expensive tech at the fastest possible speed.

To add, Moneysaving Expert is good for this sort of thing. The weekly newsletter regularly reminds people of this, along with making sure they're getting all the benefits they're entitled to including extra help with the cost of utilities and promoting the Help to Save account.

Hehe yep