Are you missing out on cheaper phone and broadband?

Internet access is now a vital essential for day-to-day life but 8.1 million UK households are having difficulty affording communications services.

People who cannot afford data can experience problems such as managing benefits, applying for jobs online or benefiting from cheaper online prices which exacerbate their difficult financial situation.

You maybe able to get help with cheaper broadband and phone packages with social tariffs.

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.

They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.

You can find out if your provider offers this here: https://tinyurl.com/social-tariff

How a social tariff could help you

• It’s available to those on a variety of benefits. If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available.
• It’s cheaper than a regular package. Current prices range from £10 to £20.
• Fast, unlimited broadband. Most tariffs offer superfast broadband at speeds over 30 Mbit/s – fast enough for you to keep in touch with friends and family, stream HD films or shop online.
• You’ll pay next-to-nothing to get set up. If you do have to pay any setup costs, these should only be small. Your provider should tell you before you sign up.
• It could cost nothing to switch. If your provider offers a social tariff, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge.
• The price won’t go up mid-contract. You won’t pay any more than what you agree at the start of the contract.
• It costs nothing to leave. You won’t pay a fee to leave the tariff before the end of your contract.