Nearly 10million missing out on cheaper broadband tariffs as bills set to rise in weeks – see if you can get it

MILLIONS of people on low incomes are missing out on hundreds of pounds a year in savings as bills are set to rise

Close to 10million pensioners are still not aware they could be eligible for cheaper broadband deals through social tariffs.

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That's according to comparison site Broadband Genie, which is calling on providers to do more to ensure all those eligible for social tariff deals are made aware. 

Social tariffs are special low-cost broadband and phone deals offered to customers in receipt of certain benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit.

They are typically cheaper than standard tariffs, and range from £10-£20 a month.

Most offer super-fast speeds of more than 30Mbps and aren’t usually subject to price rises or exit fees.

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If you switch to a social tariff within the next few weeks, you can beat the broadband bill hikes that are coming at the end of March and early April.

However many people who could benefit from switching are unaware such tariffs are available.

Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, said: "It's vital to ensure affordable broadband is accessible for older generations and financially vulnerable people to maintain connectivity.

"That's where social tariffs play a crucial role. It’s concerning that many pensioners are unaware of the discounts they could be eligible for.

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"It’s up to providers to take proactive steps in raising awareness and ensure people receiving state benefits are kept informed about social tariff options.

“This also comes following the recent outcry against mid-contract price hikes, which has prompted calls for Ofcom to ban providers from increasing prices after a customer has signed up to their deal.

"Pensioners should be reassured that social tariffs are immune from these price rises.”

The Sun has long been campaigning for providers to introduce and better promote social tariffs to help the most hard-up households.

We launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous in 2022 to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs, search http://www.nous.co/thesun.

Ofcom, the UK and mobile broadband regulator is currently consulting on the possibility of bringing in new rules which will force broadband providers to make social tariffs clearer for those who need them.

It intends for the new rule to come into effect four months after the publication of its final decision which is due to be announced this spring.

When will broadband prices rise?

Broadband and mobile prices will rise in April.

Telecom providers have confirmed prices will rise by up to 8.8% though the amount your bill goes up will depend on your provider.

The increases will come into effect for millions of customers on March 31 or April 1.

This means that the new rate will kick in from your next bill after that date.

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How to find cheap social tariffs

If you believe you qualify for a social tariff you should contact your broadband provider to see if it’s something they offer social tariffs and inquire about switching. 

If they don’t offer a social tariff they should still be able to assist with a fee-free switch process to a provider that does. 

There is no need to wait for your current contract to end to switch.

It's still worth contacting your provider even if you do not qualify as they may be able to offer you a cheaper deal.

If you're not under contract, switching to a new deal or even another supplier is guaranteed to lead to savings.

Which firms offer cheap tariffs and how much can I save?

The exact amount you can save will depend on how much you are paying now and the cheaper deal on offer.

Hyperoptic, Vodafone, Virgin Media, Sky, Now TV and BT are some providers offering social tariffs. 

It's worth noting that BT, EE and Plusnet broadband customers can all switch to BT social tariffs.

The criteria for each social tariff varies but you will need to be in receipt of the following benefits to be eligible:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
• Income support
• Disability living allowance (DLA)
• Personal independence payment (PIP)
• Care leavers support

You should contact the provider via phone or email to check if you are eligible and start an application. 

TalkTalk doesn't offer social tariffs but does give jobseekers six months of free broadband through a voucher scheme.

The average cost of broadband in the UK is £26.90 per month, according to Uswitch which works out to £322.80 a year.

If you move to a cheaper social tariff with prices starting from £12.50 you could save around £150 a year.

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