What a social tariff actually is
A broadband social tariff is a cheaper internet package set aside for people who claim certain benefits. It's the same broadband — the same wires, the same connection into your home — just at a much lower price than the deals advertised to everyone else.
In 2026 most social tariffs cost roughly £12 to £23 a month, which can save a typical household well over £100 a year compared with a standard package. And they come with protections a normal deal doesn't:
The protections that make them worth it
No mid-contract price rises. What you agree at the start is what you pay for the whole contract — your bill won't creep up each spring like standard deals do.
Switch on, switch off, penalty-free. You can move onto a social tariff for free, and leave it whenever you want without an exit fee — even if you'd normally be locked into a contract.
Speed that's enough for daily life. Speeds can be lower than a top-end deal, but they're generally fine for browsing, HD streaming, video calls and online forms.
Do this now
If you're on a benefit and paying full price for broadband, this is the fastest route to a cheaper bill. None of it costs anything to check.
Do this now — 4 steps
- Check you're on a qualifying benefit. All providers accept Universal Credit; most also accept Pension Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA and Income Support. The benefit needs to be in the name of the person on the broadband account.
- Look at Ofcom's list. Ofcom keeps an up-to-date list of every provider's social tariff, the current price and whether it's available where you live. Start there — it's the one impartial place that has them all.
- Apply with the provider. Apply online or by phone. You'll usually need your National Insurance number and proof of your benefit; many providers check your eligibility electronically with the DWP, so approval is often quick.
- Switch penalty-free. If your current provider offers a social tariff you can move onto it for free. If they don't, you can switch to one that does — your provider may let you leave without an exit fee so you can take it up.
Already in a contract? It doesn't matter — switching to a social tariff is one of the few moves you can make without paying to leave early.
Who qualifies
You usually qualify if the main person named on the broadband account receives a means-tested benefit. The exact list depends on the provider, but here's how it generally works:
- Universal Credit — accepted by every provider that offers a social tariff.
- Most providers also accept Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and Income Support.
- Some go further and accept other benefits too — for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.
Don't rule yourself out — eligibility varies
Because each provider sets its own list, a benefit that doesn't qualify with one company might qualify with another. If you're on any benefit, it's worth checking Ofcom's social tariffs list or asking providers directly — don't assume you're not eligible.
How to get cheaper broadband, step by step
Getting onto a social tariff is straightforward once you know it exists. Here's what the process looks like:
| Step | What you do | What you'll need |
|---|
| 1. Check eligibility | Confirm you're on a qualifying benefit (the main account holder) | Your benefit details |
| 2. Compare on Ofcom | See which providers offer a social tariff, the price and availability in your area | Your postcode |
| 3. Apply | Apply online or by phone with the provider you choose | National Insurance number + proof of benefit |
| 4. Get verified | Many providers check your benefit electronically with the DWP — approval is often quick | Nothing extra, usually |
| 5. Switch over | Move onto the tariff — penalty-free, even mid-contract | Your current account details |
If you don't have internet to apply online, you can apply by phone, and a Citizens Advice adviser, library or community centre can help you get set up.
The providers to look for
The choice has grown a lot — from a handful of tariffs a few years ago to more than 30 by the end of 2025. The major providers that offer a social tariff include:
- BT Home Essentials and EE Basics
- Virgin Media Essential (and Essential Broadband Plus)
- Sky Basics and NOW Broadband Basics
- Vodafone Essentials
- Community Fibre and Hyperoptic (where their network reaches your area)
Check Ofcom for current prices and availability
Prices, speeds and which providers serve your postcode change over time, so we don't quote exact figures here that could go stale. The single best place to compare them all — kept up to date — is Ofcom's social tariffs page. Check there before you sign up, and pick the one available where you live.
Not every provider covers every area, so the cheapest tariff on the list may not be the one you can get. Filter by your postcode and compare what's actually available to you.
Switching — even mid-contract
This is the part people don't realise: you usually don't have to wait for your contract to end.
- If your current provider offers a social tariff, you can move onto it at any time, free of charge — no exit fee for leaving your existing package early.
- If your provider doesn't offer one, you can switch to a provider that does — and your current provider may let you leave without a penalty so you can take up the cheaper deal.
- Social tariffs themselves have no mid-contract price rises and no exit fees, so you're free to move off again later if your circumstances change.
You can come off it just as easily
If you stop getting the qualifying benefit, you'll normally move off the social tariff — but there's no penalty for that either. And while you're on it, your bill stays fixed at what you agreed.
Why most people miss out
Around 4 million UK households could be on a social tariff, but only a small fraction of them actually are. The reason isn't usually that people don't qualify — it's that they've never heard of them.
Ofcom has repeatedly found that the large majority of eligible households were unaware social tariffs existed. They aren't advertised the way standard broadband deals are, and providers don't always offer them up. So the rule is simple: you usually have to ask.
If you're on a benefit, just ask the question
Call your provider, or check Ofcom's list, and ask: "Do you offer a broadband social tariff, and do I qualify?" It costs nothing to find out, and a cheaper bill with no price rises is one of the easiest wins for a household on a low income.
What else you might be owed
Broadband is rarely the only bill squeezing a household. If money's tight, it's worth a wider check — you may be missing benefits, grants or other bill help.
- Help with energy bills — supplier hardship grants, the free Priority Services Register, your right to an affordable payment plan and the Warm Home Discount.
- Help with water bills — the WaterSure cap, your supplier's social tariff and trust funds that clear arrears (and you can't be cut off for non-payment).
- Check my benefits — a quick scan of what your household may be entitled to (which can also unlock a broadband social tariff).
- What am I missing? — looks across benefits, grants and refunds for money you may be owed.