Last month, consumer champion Martin Lewis warned that broadband prices are set to rise by 8 per cent from April, and now some providers have started issuing letters and emails to customers advising them of the increase to their Direct Debits. Martin urged people with providers including BT, EE, Virgin Media, Talk Talk and O2 to get onto a comparison website and “go find yourself a cheaper deal” before the price hikes kick-in.
However, the charity Independent Age is calling on internet providers to further promote their social broadband tariffs so that more older people struggling to manage their finances are aware that they could be paying as little as £12 per month for their broadband services.
New research from Independent Age suggests that nearly half of older people (48%) on a low income have struggled to keep up with their broadband bill in the last six months. The charity said the findings raise fears that the cost of living crisis has deepened the ‘digital divide’ and warns that older people in financial hardship may become even more isolated.
The charity said that not being able to go online could mean that older people on low incomes are unable to access information about financial entitlements or services, miss out on savings by not being able to search for the best deals and lose vital social connections.
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband contracts for those receiving means tested benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit. However, current take-up is low, with just 5.1 per cent of eligible households using them, suggesting that an estimated four million households are missing out.
Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: “The choice to engage online shouldn’t be taken away due to cost. We’re hearing from people in later life who are struggling to pay their broadband bills, cancelling their services, or making considerable sacrifices to afford this expense, such as going without fresh food.
“Cancelling broadband can mean someone misses out on the best deals, social connections with friends and family or on finding information about financial support they could be entitled to, such as Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance.”
The charity explained that the social tariff broadband landscape paints a ‘confusing picture’ for older people on a low income because each provider has their own set of eligibility criteria and differing price structures.
Ms Vine added: “Independent Age wants providers to proactively promote their social tariffs and target their activity at all eligible groups, including ensuring older people on a low income are not missed out.”
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The YouGov survey commissioned by Independent Age also found that:
- Almost 3 in 10 (29%) older people in financial hardship said they are worried they will not be able to pay their broadband bill over the next six months
- Thirty per cent are currently having to cut back their spending on their internet, phone or TV subscription services a great deal or a fair amount
- Almost 1 in 10 (9%) have already cancelled broadband and phone services in an effort to save money
Fran McSweeney, Head of National Services at Independent Age said: “Social tariffs can be a lifeline to help older people who are struggling financially stay connected. The internet can help people in later life stay in touch with friends and family and to access information on financial entitlements, deals and services but it has to be affordable. If you receive a means-tested benefit, it’s vital that you find out if you’re eligible for a social tariff.
“You can find out whether you’re eligible and for a list of what providers are offering through the Ofcom website. These start at £12 per month and are designed with customers who need extra support in mind. Contact your current supplier for more information.”
Independent Age is urging older people who are cutting back on necessities to afford broadband, to check for unclaimed benefits to boost their income.
This can be done online at independentage.org or by calling them on 0800 319 6789 for a free and confidential welfare benefits check to see if you’re entitled to support you’re not currently receiving.
The full list of social tariffs for broadband and mobile phones can be found on the Ofcom website here.
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Social Tariffs in a nutshell
A social tariff could bring savings of around £200 each year. The quickest way to find out if you might qualify for a social tariff is to contact your supplier directly and ask - even if you do not qualify, they may be able to offer other ways to reduce your broadband bill.
It can be quite confusing knowing if the benefit you are claiming is eligible for a social tariff so we have compiled a list of all the social tariffs available and the benefits that qualify for them.
A new system put in place in 2022 makes it quicker for broadband providers' to check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's permission.
Benefits the DWP’s system will be able to verify entitlement for are:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment Support Allowance
Benefits and social tariff broadband
The providers listed below are taken from the latest guidance on social tariff broadband packages from Ofcom. You can get direct links to the broadband provider websites here.
The broadband providers listed may not be available in your area, we’ve marked those that cover the entire UK as ‘UK’.
Universal Credit
- BT - UK
- EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
- 4th Utility - UK
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband - UK
- Sky Broadband - UK
- Virgin Media - UK
- Vodafone - UK
Pension Credit
- BT - UK
EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
- 4th Utility - UK
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband - UK
- Sky Broadband - UK
- Virgin Media - UK
- Vodafone - UK
Attendance Allowance
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Vodafone - UK
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Vodafone - UK
Income Support
- BT - UK
EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
- 4th Utility - UK
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband - UK
- Sky Broadband - UK
- Virgin Media - UK
- Vodafone - UK
Jobseeker's allowance
- BT - UK
EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
- 4th Utility - UK
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband - UK
- Sky Broadband - UK
- Virgin Media - UK
- Vodafone - UK
Employment and support allowance
- BT - UK
EE Basic (Now offered through BT) - UK
- 4th Utility - UK
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- NOW Broadband - UK
- Sky Broadband - UK
- Virgin Media - UK
- Vodafone - UK
Care Leaver's Support
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
- KCOM
- Housing Benefit
- Hyperoptic - Scotland, England and Wales
Reduced Earnings Allowance
- Vodafone - UK
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11 social broadband tariff deals
Here are 11 to give you an idea of monthly costs, speeds available and eligibility.
BT Home Essentials (No Income)
- Monthly cost: £15
- Average broadband speed: around 36mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
BT Home Essentials (Unlimited 36Mbps)
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: around 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
BT Home Essentials (Unlimited 67mbps)
- Monthly cost: £23
- Average broadband speed: around 67Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
EE Basic (Now BT Home Essentials)
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- Monthly cost: £19.99
- Average broadband speed: 100 Mbps
- Eligibility: open to all
Sky Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
NOW Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
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Virgin Media Essential Broadband
- Monthly cost: £12.50
- Average broadband speed: 15Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 54Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Vodafone Fibre 1 Essentials
- Monthly cost: £12
- Average broadband speed: 38Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 73Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
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