Money you might be missingHousehold bills
On benefits? Cheaper broadband and mobile deals from £10 a month that most people don't know about
Social tariffs cost about £10 to £20 a month for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Ofcom says 70% of eligible households have not heard of them.
Published 4 November 2026Last checked 4 November 2026UK-wideFrom Ofcom
Illustration generated with AI
What's happening
If you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, most big broadband and mobile companies offer cheaper deals called social tariffs, from about £10 to £20 a month. Ofcom found 532,000 customers using one in June 2025, and that 70% of eligible households do not know they exist. You can often move to one with your current provider without an exit fee, but check first.
The question: Who can get a broadband or mobile social tariff, what do they cost, and how do you switch?
This applies to you if…
- You get Universal Credit, which every provider on Ofcom's list accepts
- You get Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support, which all the major providers accept (some only the income-based versions)
- You get Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, which some providers accept
- You are the person on the benefit and the main name on the contract
Not for you if…
- Households where nobody gets a qualifying benefit
- Cases where the bill payer and the benefit claimant are different people, unless the contract can be moved into the claimant's name
What it's worth
Prices on providers' own pages on 4 November 2026. What you save depends on what you pay now.
How to work out your own saving
- Find your current monthly broadband price on your latest bill.
- Take away the social tariff price for a similar speed.
- Multiply the difference by 12.
For example, moving from £35 a month to £20 a month saves £15 a month, or £180 a year.
Illustrative calc. £35 is an example price, not an average.
How to do it
- 1
Look at the benefit list on the provider's page. Lists differ, and some only accept the income-based versions of Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
- 2
Start with your current provider
Ask whether you can move to its social tariff without paying to leave your contract. Ofcom says your provider might let you leave without a penalty, so ask before agreeing.
Takes about About 15 minutes online or by phone
- 3
Compare speed and contract length
Speeds vary from about 15Mbps to over 70Mbps, and some deals are monthly rolling while others are 12 months with no exit fee. Pick the speed your household needs.
- 4
Apply online or by phone
The provider will check your benefit, usually with the DWP. Some run a credit check on new customers.
Deadline
No deadline
You can apply at any time while you get a qualifying benefit. Prices were checked on 4 November 2026 and can change.
The catches
Leaving a different provider can cost money
Exit fees are usually waived only when you move to your own provider's social tariff. Switching to another company mid-contract may mean paying to leave.
Credit checks vary
BT checks new customers, Vodafone and EE run a credit check, and O2 checks new customers. SMARTY says it does no credit checks.
Watch the price at the end
Vodafone says its Essentials price rises to £25 if you take no action after 12 months. Check what happens when any deal ends.
Slower basic options
The cheapest broadband tiers can be slow. Virgin Media's £12.50 deal has an average download speed of 15Mbps, which may struggle in a busy household.
Illustrative example
A pensioner on Pension Credit
Margaret gets Pension Credit and pays her broadband company £38 a month after her deal ended.
- She checks her provider's website and sees it has a social tariff for Pension Credit.
- She calls and asks to move, and is told there is no fee to change.
- The new deal costs £20 a month at a similar speed.
She pays £18 a month less, which is £216 a year.
Illustrative example. Prices and eligibility depend on the provider.
What this means for…
- Get benefits: If you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you can usually get broadband and mobile deals from about £10 to £20 a month.
- State Pension age or over: Pension Credit counts for social tariffs with all the major providers, so it is worth checking if you get it.
- Not working or caring: If you are not working and get an income-based benefit, a social tariff could cut your phone and broadband bill.
Common misreadings
You might hear: Social tariffs are only for people on Universal Credit.
Actually: All the major providers also accept Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support, though some accept only the income-based versions. Some accept Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.
You might hear: Social tariffs are always slow.
Actually: Speeds vary by deal, from about 15Mbps on the cheapest to over 70Mbps on others, so you can often pick one that suits your household.
You might hear: I will have to pay to leave my contract.
Actually: Many providers let existing customers move to their own social tariff without an exit fee. BT, for example, lets BT, EE and Plusnet customers switch for no extra charge. Ask before you agree.
Where the UK nations differ
- UK-wide
- Ofcom lists the major social tariffs as available across the UK, though no provider covers every address.
- Northern Ireland
- Ofcom's list also includes a local provider, Fibrus, which covers Northern Ireland and Cumbria.
What you could do
get Universal Credit or Pension Credit and pay more than about £20 a month for broadband
Ask your current provider about its social tariff and whether you can move without an exit fee.
pay for a mobile contract while on a qualifying benefit
Compare a social mobile deal. Several cost £10 to £12 a month on a monthly rolling plan.
help an older relative with their bills
Check whether they get Pension Credit. If they do, they can usually get a social tariff too.
Timeline
17 January 2025
Ofcom ban on inflation-linked price rises in new contracts takes effect
30 June 2025
532,000 customers on a social tariff (Ofcom)
The detail
The rules
- Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people on certain benefits. Each provider sets its own rules.
- The person getting the benefit usually needs to be the main person on the contract.
- Providers usually check your benefit with the DWP.
- Since January 2025, price rises written into new phone and broadband contracts must be in pounds and pence, not linked to inflation.
References
- Ofcom social tariffs page: Lists the providers, prices and qualifying benefits.
- Ofcom research, February 2026: 532,000 customers used a social tariff in June 2025, and 70% of eligible households do not know they exist.
Words explained
- Social tariff
- A cheaper broadband or phone deal for people on certain benefits.
- Exit fee
- A charge for leaving a contract before it ends.
- Mbps
- Megabits per second, a measure of internet speed. Higher is faster.
- Rolling contract
- A deal that runs month by month, so you can leave with a month's notice.
In short
If you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you can usually get broadband from about £12.50 to £20 a month and mobile from £10. Most people who qualify don't know these deals exist. Ask your current provider first, as you can often move without an exit fee.
Related dates
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- 1 Apr Car tax (VED) rises for 2027 to 2028Change · in 148 days
Sources
- Social tariffs, Ofcom
- New Ofcom research reveals how to cut phone and internet bills, Ofcom (2026-02-26)
- Ofcom bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation, Ofcom
- Essential Broadband, Virgin Media (2026-11-04)
- Home Essentials, BT (2026-11-04)
- Essentials Broadband, Vodafone (2026-11-04)
- VOXI For Now, VOXI (2026-11-04)
- Essential Plan, O2 (2026-11-04)
- Social Tariff, SMARTY (2026-11-04)
This is guidance, not regulated financial advice. Check figures against the linked official source before you act. Written with AI assistance and checked against primary sources. How Kitty works. For free, impartial help, try MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice.