Bills Guide · Updated 2026
Social Tariffs in the UK: Cheaper Bills for Low-Income Households (2026)
If you're on certain benefits, you may be entitled to significantly cheaper broadband and water bills through "social tariffs" — yet take-up remains low because many eligible households simply don't know they exist. Here's what's available in 2026.
Broadband social tariffs
Most major broadband and some mobile providers offer a discounted "social tariff" for households receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or certain other means-tested benefits — often significantly cheaper than standard packages, with no exit fees if you need to switch from an existing contract to take one up. Ofcom has pushed providers to make these tariffs more visible after years of very low awareness and take-up relative to the number of eligible households.
Water social tariffs
Water companies offer their own reduced tariffs (names and schemes vary by region — for example WaterSure caps bills for households with high essential water use and a low income, while other regional schemes offer a percentage discount for benefit recipients) for customers who are struggling to pay or receive certain benefits. Contact your specific regional water supplier directly, as eligibility criteria and scheme names differ company to company — there's no single national water social tariff.
Energy support beyond the price cap
While there isn't currently a universal energy social tariff in the same way as broadband, support includes the Warm Home Discount (an annual rebate for qualifying low-income households, usually applied automatically or via application depending on your supplier and circumstances), Cold Weather Payments (for eligible benefit recipients during periods of very low temperatures), and supplier-specific hardship funds — contact your energy supplier directly if you're struggling, as most have dedicated support teams and payment plans.
How to check eligibility and apply
Most social tariffs require you to be receiving a qualifying benefit — commonly Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or income-related ESA/JSA, though exact qualifying benefits vary by provider. Check directly with your broadband, water, and energy providers (search "[provider name] social tariff"), as eligibility and application processes differ. Some providers can check eligibility automatically if you consent to a benefits data check, avoiding the need to send proof yourself.
Why take-up matters
Ofcom and consumer groups have repeatedly found that only a small fraction of eligible households are signed up to broadband social tariffs, often because providers don't proactively advertise them, or because of a (usually mistaken) assumption that a discounted tariff means a worse service. If you or someone you know receives a qualifying benefit, it's worth a five-minute check with each provider — the savings can be substantial and there's no downside to asking.