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Vodafone launches cheapest broadband tariff for households on benefits - here's how it compares
If you claim universal credit and other support payments you could sign-up to Vodafone's newly-launched social tariff, 'Vodafone Essentials Broadband', which costs £12 a month. It is the cheapest social tariff on the market with a speed of 38Mb but the price will near double after 12 months.
Below is how the new tariff will work and how to get it, but for more information on cutting broadband costs, use our Broadband Unbundled tool to compare offers (you can see details of social tariffs in the tool, and we're also working to include all of these tariffs in your comparison results). For further info on how to cut broadband costs, including what to do if you're struggling financially, see our Cheap broadband guide.
Vodafone Essentials Broadband is free to sign up to and is available to people claiming certain benefits
Vodafone Essentials Broadband is available on a 12-month contract if you're claiming the following support payments:
- Disability allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Job seekers allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Universal credit
- Pension credit
You can join without a set-up fee, leave for free at any time and won’t be subject to in-contract price changes. The plan gives access to Vodafone’s Fibre 1 or Full Fibre 1 Essentials Broadband plan for 12 months, providing fast connectivity, with average download speeds of 38Mbps.
Before your contract ends, Vodafone will contact you to discuss your options. If you're still eligible for the social tariff, your contract will continue. If not, you'll be able to choose from one of the other tariffs Vodafone offers. If you don't opt to keep your social tariff or switch to another deal, your contract cost will increase to £22 a month.
Existing Vodafone customer? You can transfer to the social tariff if you're eligible
If you're already a Vodafone customer on Fibre 1 or Fibre 2 and are eligible for the cheaper, social tariff, you'll be able to request to switch for free. If you're a current Vodafone customers or aren't yet with Vodafone, then you should submit an application form on Vodafone's website.
If you’re currently a Vodafone Xtra or Pro customer, you will lose any additional benefits included and you might be charged to leave your plan early, so check with Vodafone first.
Once you've registered you'll receive a confirmation email and then someone from Vodafone will call you to go through the eligibility process. Vodafone will run a credit check and the sign-up process should take around one week to complete.
Vodafone's social tariff is now the cheapest on the market
As shown in the table below, Vodafone now offers the cheapest social tariff at £12 a month. At a speed of 38Mb, it's likely to be fast enough for most users – but if you do lots of TV streaming on multiple devices, online gaming or just want a faster connection, have a look at some of the other social tariffs below, and use our Broadband Unbundled tool to compare prices in general.
Broadband providers offering social tariffs
Provider and tariff |
Monthly price |
Speed |
Eligibility (in receipt of the following benefits) | How to get it |
| Air Broadband Air Support | £20 | 100Mb | - No set list; contact Air Broadband directly to check if you're eligible | Call 01223 606 828 or email support@airbroadband.co.uk. You'll need to provide a proof of benefits letter (or equivalent) |
| £15 + one-off £9.99 fee | 36Mb | - 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 | |
| £20 + one-off £9.99 fee | 67Mb | |||
| Country Connect Social Tariff | £15 | 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 | 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 | 50Mb | - 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 |
| £25 | 150Mb | |||
| KCOM Full Fibre Flex (East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire only) | £14.99 | 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 | 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 18 months (ii)
|
36Mb | - Pension credit - Universal credit |
Call 0333 759 3881. You'll need to provide your National Insurance number |
| Virgin Media Essential | £12.50 | 15Mb | - 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 |
| £20 | 50Mb | 50Mb plan expected to launch in November - can't apply yet | ||
| Vodafone Essentials Broadband | £12 | 38Mb | - Disability allowance - Employment and support allowance - Personal independence payment - Pension credit |
Complete this online form. |
| TalkTalk | Free for 6mths (iii) | 38Mb | - Jobseekers on universal credit who don't have an internet connection | Job centre staff will determine eligibility |
(i) BT also offers a landline only package for people on benefits for £10/mth. (ii) At the end of the 18 months your contract will revert to a standard rate, but you can call and cancel penalty-free beforehand. (iii) At the end of the 6mths you can either choose to take out a new contract with TalkTalk or end the service penalty-free.
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