Martin Lewis reveals easy way anyone on Universal Credit can cut monthly household bills
MARTIN Lewis has revealed an easy way for anyone on Universal Credit to slash their monthly household bills.
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com has said that those on the benefit should check out social broadband tariffs.
Martin said: “Broadband social tariffs usually have consistently low monthly costs – as low as £16 a month- so if eligible, they are unbeatable price-wise if you want to stick with one provider for a number of years.
“Most tariffs are for those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit, but some allow those on Tax Credits and other legacy benefits to get them too.
“And TalkTalk offers six months’ free broadband for jobseekers.”
The advice comes as one Martin Lewis fan said they’d cut their grandmother’s bill by £420 a year.
They said: “My gran is 91 years old and only really has internet for her TV, doorbell cam and Facebook Portal.
“I did a quick check with her current provider to see if she was eligible as she receives Pension Credit, and she was.
“She has gone from paying £55 a month to £20 a month. This will be a saving of £420 a year, happy days.”
The Sun has long been campaigning for providers to introduce – and better promote – social tariffs to help the most hard-up households.
We even launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous last year to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs.
It’s worth checking each telecom provider to see how to apply – you’ll often have to do this online or over the phone.
Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.
And always remember that the exact amount you’ll save by switching will depend on how much you were paying for your broadband before.
Ofcom has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.
Which providers offer social tariffs?
BT
BT offers customers on selected benefits a low-cost 12-month contract costing £15 a month.
Average broadband speeds for the tariff are rated at 36Mb. You can check to see if your home is BT-ready by using the firm’s postcode checker on its website.
You’ll 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
- Income support
Customers can also get faster speeds with the BT Home Essentials 2 tariff which costs £20 a month.
Check if you’re eligible on BT’s website.
Now
Now’s Broadband Basics package is open to all those who receive Universal Credit and pension credit.
You can grab a 36Mbps contract for £20 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.
If you’re interested in the package you’ll need to ring Now on 0333 759 5056.
Sky
Like Now, those receiving Universal Credit and pension credit are eligible for Sky’s social broadband tariff – dubbed Broadband Basics.
It’ll set you back £20 a month over an 18-month term and it’ll give you speeds up to 36Mbps.
To check if you’re eligible and to apply for the tariff you’ll need to call Sky on 0333 759 3898.
Virgin Media
Virgin’s social broadband package costs just £12.50 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.
Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:
- Income-based employment support allowance (I-ESA)
- Income-based jobseekers allowance (I-JSA)
- Income support
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
If you want to subscribe to an Essential broadband package, you will need to provide your full name, postcode and date of birth, and confirm your consent to Virgin Media to perform an eligibility check.
Visit the Virgin Media website and sign up through the live chat function.
Vodafone
Vodafone’s Essentials Broadband costs just £12 a month and comes with 38Mbps download speeds.
Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:
- Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
Existing Vodafone customers that have been identified as financially vulnerable can also get the service.
Visit the Vodafone UK website to sign up for Vodafone Essentials Broadband.
Alternatively, you can visit a Vodafone store or call the customer service team on 0333 304 0191.
Hyperoptic
Customers living in several of the UK’s biggest cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow are able to take advantage of Hyperoptic’s Fair Fibre plans.
The firm offers four social broadband tariffs priced between £15 and £20 a month and covering speeds between 50Mbs and 150Mbs.
The contracts are also set up on a 30-day rolling basis which means you can cancel the contract with more flexibility than other longer tariffs.
To be eligible you’ll need to be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension credit (guarantee credit)
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- Personal independence payments (PIP)
- Care leavers support
You can apply over the phone by calling 0333 920 9747 or emailing support@hyperoptic.com.
Do any other firms offer social tariffs?
A number of other smaller regional firms offer social broadband tariffs.
You’ll have to check directly to see if your region is eligible.
The total amount you’ll save will also vary depending on which provider you switch to.
4th Utility Social Tariff
- £13.99 a month
- 30 Mbit/s speed
Community Fibre Essential
- £12.50 a month
- 20 Mbit/s speed
Connect Fibre Basic Essentials
- £20 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed
Country Connect Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed
G. Network Essential Fibre Broadband
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed
Grayshott Gigabit Connect
- £19 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
Hey! Broadband Everyday Fibre
- £16 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
KCOM
- £14.99 a month
- 30 Mbit/s speed
Lightning Fibre Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbits/s speed
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- £19.99 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
Run Fibre Social Tariff
- £20 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
Wildanet Helping Hand Social Tariff
- £20 a month
- 30-100 Mbits/s speed
WightFibre Essential Broadband
- £16.50 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
YouFibre Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbit/s speed