How to get cheaper broadband and mobile if you are on Universal Credit
Key points
- If you get Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit, you can switch to a social tariff and save up to £180 a year on your broadband or mobile bill.
- You apply directly with your provider — most let you switch for free, online or over the phone, in just a few minutes.
- A DWP automatic check scheme means your provider can confirm your benefit status in seconds, so you usually do not need to gather paperwork.
If you claim Universal Credit (UC) or another means-tested benefit, you may be paying more for your internet or phone than you need to. A social tariff is a discounted deal offered by major broadband and mobile providers to people on qualifying benefits. Switching could save you up to £180 a year.
What is a social tariff?
A social tariff is a cut-price broadband or mobile package for people on low incomes. Providers set their own prices, but many charge from around £10 to £15 a month — roughly half what a standard deal costs. You get the same speeds and reliability as a regular plan.
Social tariffs are not a government benefit. Private providers run them. But a growing number of the UK's biggest names offer one, and more are joining all the time.
Who qualifies?
You can get a social tariff if someone in your household receives:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
Some providers accept a wider list, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It is always worth asking your provider directly, even if you are not certain you qualify.
The person named on the benefit usually needs to be the main account holder.
How to apply
Contact your broadband or mobile provider and ask if they offer a social tariff. Most let you apply online or over the phone.
DWP now runs an automatic check system. With your permission, your provider can contact DWP to confirm your benefit status in seconds. That means you do not need to dig out letters or print anything off. If the automatic check is not available, your UC award letter or payment statement will usually be enough.
Switching to a social tariff — even if you move to a new provider to do it — is usually free of charge.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →If your provider does not have a social tariff
You are not stuck. You can switch to a provider that does.
Citizens Advice has free guidance on comparing broadband deals and can help you switch if you are not confident doing it yourself. The Ofcom website keeps a full and regularly updated list of providers and their social tariff prices, so you can see what is available in your area.
What to do next
Call or go online to your provider today and ask one question: do you have a social tariff? If they do, switching usually takes just a few minutes. If they do not, Citizens Advice can help you find one that does.
Frequently asked questions
What if my current provider does not offer a social tariff?
Switch to one that does — the Ofcom website keeps a regularly updated list of providers with social tariff deals, and Citizens Advice can help you compare options and switch for free.
Are social tariffs available in Scotland and Wales?
Yes — social tariffs are offered by providers across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so this is not England-only support.