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Broadband for low income families

Chris Knight
Chris Knight | Edited by Gary Caffell
Updated 18 January 2024

Broadband is now a key utility for many, but according to regulator Ofcom, one million households are struggling to pay their broadband bill. There are special discounted social tariffs available to help, but millions who eligible are missing out. Check below to see what firms are offering and if you qualify. 

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Can I get free broadband?

Free broadband isn't generally available in the UK. 

However, there is one offer, though it's not an official social tariff. Jobseekers on universal credit who don't have broadband already may be able to get six months' worth of free 38Mb speed fibre broadband from TalkTalk, under a partnership with Jobcentre Plus. 

There's no contract, so there's no obligation to continue after the six months is up.

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Discounted social tariffs for those on certain benefits

More than 10 broadband providers offer discounted 'social tariffs' for those on universal credit and similar benefits. But the regulator Ofcom says more than four million people eligible for them aren't taking them up, missing out on savings averaging £144/year.  

We've added a full list of top discounted social broadband tariffs to our broadband comparison tool, but below is a round-up of all the social tariffs currently on offer and full eligibility criteria. They're all available to new and existing customers. 

Broadband providers offering social tariffs

Provider and tariff

Monthly price + speed(s)

 Eligibility (in receipt of the following benefits) How to get it
BT Home Essentials - £15 for 36Mb - Universal Credit but with zero income Apply online at BT or in store. You'll need to provide your National Insurance number

BT Home Essentials (i)

 - £20 for 36Mb
- £23 for 67Mb
- one-off £11.99 fee		 - Employment and support allowance (income-based)
- Guarantee credit element of pension credit
- Income support
- Jobseeker's allowance (income-based)
- Universal credit		 Apply online at BT or in store. You'll need to provide your National Insurance number
Community Fibre Essential - £12.50 for 35Mb - Any new customer can get this package  
Country Connect Social Tariff - £15 for 50Mb - Employment and support allowance (income-based)
- Guarantee credit element of pension credit
- Income support
- Jobseeker's allowance (income-based)
- Universal credit		 Call 0163 353 0519. You'll need to provide your National Insurance number
G Network Essential Fibre 
(London only)		 - £15 for 50Mb  - Employment and support allowance (income-based)
- Guarantee credit element of pension credit
- Income support
- Jobseeker's allowance (income-based)
- Universal credit		 Call 0808 196 3661 or email essentialfibre@g.network. You'll need to provide evidence of your benefits
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre - £15 for 50Mb
- £20 for 150Mb		 - Attendance allowance
- Care leavers support
- Employment and support allowance (income-based)
- Housing benefit
- Income support
- Jobseeker's allowance (income-based)
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payment
- Universal credit		 Call 0203 318 3209 or email support@hyperoptic.com. You'll need to provide evidence of your benefits
KCOM Full Fibre Flex (East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire only) - £14.99 for 30Mb

- Attendance allowance

- Care leavers

- Employment and support allowance (income-based)

- Housing benefit

- Income support

- Jobseeker's allowance

- Pension credit

- Personal independence payment

- Universal credit (and out of work)

 Apply online (enter your postcode then click the 'Flex options available' link). You'll need to provide evidence of your benefits
Now Broadband Basics (existing Now broadband customers only) - £20 for 36Mb - Pension credit
- Universal credit		 Call 0333 759 5056. You'll need to provide evidence of your benefits
Sky Broadband Basics (existing Sky broadband customers only)

- £20 for 36Mb

 

 - Pension credit
- Universal credit		 Call 0333 759 3881. You'll need to provide your National Insurance number. Note the tariff only lasts for 18 months, so diarise to call and cancel before you end up on Sky's normal deal. 
Virgin Media Essential - £12.50 for 15Mb
- £20 for 50Mb		 - Universal credit Existing customers: Fill in online form
New customers: Apply online
You'll need to provide a screenshot of your online universal credit account
Vodafone Essentials Broadband

- £20 for 73Mb

- Disability allowance

- Employment and support allowance
- Jobseekers allowance

- Personal independence payment
- Universal credit

- Pension credit

 Complete this online form. 

(i) BT also offers a landline only package for people on benefits for £10/mth. 

How do social tariffs compare to regular deals?

Once you've seen what's available above, you can do a broadband comparison via our Broadband Unbundled tool to see which wins for you.

These social tariffs have consistently low costs, so are - for most who qualify - unbeatable price-wise if you want to stick with one provider for a number of years. Though if you're a regular switcher you will generally be able to undercut them by riding the top deals for the switching incentives and changing every year or two.

What to do if you're struggling to pay your bill

It's worth speaking to your broadband provider as soon as possible if you're going to have trouble paying your monthly bill. Some of the large providers have schemes in place to help customers who've encountered financial problems.

A number of providers, including BT, Sky and Vodafone, have told us they'll help those who are struggling to pay their bills. They haven't given us specifics about what help they'll provide, but they've asked anyone affected to contact them as soon as possible to discuss their options.

This follows regulator Ofcom telling firms they must do all they can to keep people's broadband running.

Ofcom told us: "Providers should only commence debt collection activities after a sufficient period of time (for example, at least three months) to allow consumers to get help and only disconnect consumers as a last resort. We have called on providers to revisit their debt and disconnection practices, to ensure sufficient support is offered to customers who may be struggling to pay their bills."

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