Answers · UK 2025/26

What is a broadband social tariff and who qualifies?

Broadband social tariffs are discounted internet packages, typically £12-£20 a month, offered by most major providers to households receiving certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or income-related ESA/JSA. Despite widespread eligibility, take-up remains low because many providers do not proactively advertise the discount, so you usually need to actively ask or apply.

Last updated: 2 July 2026Last reviewed: 2 July 2026How we verify

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Broadband (and some mobile) social tariffs are a form of discounted essential connectivity aimed at helping low-income households afford reliable internet access, and most major UK providers now offer one, though awareness and take-up remain surprisingly low. **Who qualifies** Eligibility is generally based on receiving one or more specific means-tested benefits, most commonly: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), and sometimes Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or certain other benefits, though exact qualifying benefits vary slightly by provider -- always check the specific provider's criteria rather than assuming. **Typical cost and speed** Social tariff broadband packages are usually priced in the region of £12 to £20 per month (compared with £25-£35+ for standard packages), and while some entry-level social tariffs offer more modest speeds, several providers now offer full-fibre social tariffs at speeds comparable to their standard packages, making them genuinely good value rather than a stripped-down product. **No exit fees for switching** Ofcom rules mean that if you are already a broadband customer and want to switch to a social tariff (either with your existing provider or a different one), you should not be charged an early exit fee for leaving your current contract to move to a social tariff, recognising that the whole point of these tariffs is to help people in financial hardship access cheaper options. **Why take-up is low** Despite millions of households qualifying, Ofcom and consumer groups have repeatedly found that only a small fraction of eligible households are actually signed up, partly because providers are not required to proactively contact every eligible customer, and partly due to low public awareness that these tariffs exist at all -- many eligible customers simply don't know to ask. **How to apply** Contact your current broadband provider directly (or check their website, often under a name like 'essential broadband' or a similar branded tariff name) and ask about their social tariff, providing evidence of the qualifying benefit if requested. If your current provider doesn't offer one, or their offer isn't competitive, you can switch to a different provider's social tariff instead. **Combining with other support** A broadband social tariff can be claimed alongside other cost-of-living support such as council tax reduction, water social tariffs, and the Warm Home Discount, since each is assessed independently against its own eligibility criteria. **Practical tip** Use Ofcom's comparison information or simply search '[your provider] social tariff' to check what's available, and don't assume your current provider will tell you proactively -- you will usually need to ask.