Cheaper broadband if you get Universal Credit or PIP
Most broadband providers sell a cheaper "social tariff" to people on benefits, but hardly any of them advertise it. Here is the cheapest deal each one offers, side by side.
Prices checked 5 October 2026. No affiliate links. We aren't paid by any provider.
Before you start
You probably don't need to switch. If your provider has a social tariff, you can ask to move onto it. Ofcom says you can do this at any time, free of charge, even partway through a contract.
It's a benefits check, not a credit check. Most providers confirm with the DWP that you get a qualifying benefit, using your National Insurance number. That check doesn't affect your credit score.
Universal Credit is accepted almost everywhere. PIP isn't. Fewer providers accept PIP on its own. See the PIP page for the ones that do.
The price shouldn't go up mid-contract. Social tariffs don't have the yearly price rises that normal deals have. A few change price when the minimum term ends, so check each provider's details.
Every social tariff, cheapest first
The price is the cheapest social tariff each provider sells. Most also sell faster tiers, which are listed under each provider's details. Speeds are the average download speed the provider advertises.
No deals match those options. Try removing a filter.
Details for each provider
Virgin Media Essential Broadband
£12.50 a month
Average speed
15Mbps download, 2Mbps upload
Contract
1 month rolling
Set-up costs
No set-up fee
Will the price change?
The price won't change while you get a qualifying benefit, and it isn't part of Virgin's yearly price rises. Virgin re-checks eligibility every 12 months.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditNo earnings condition. You must be the account holder and not be behind on payments to Virgin.
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on Virgin's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
Homes on the Virgin Media network only. Check your postcode on Virgin's website. (Cable and full fibre)
Phone line
No phone line. Moving to Essential ends any Virgin landline or TV you already have, so think carefully if you use a telecare alarm.
Checked 5 October 2026 on Virgin Media's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Community Fibre Essential 35
£12.50 a month
Average speed
35Mbps download, 35Mbps upload
Contract
12 months
Set-up costs
No set-up fee. Mesh wifi router included.
Will the price change?
No rise during the 12-month contract. If you don't re-sign, it goes up to £16.50 a month from month 13.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditYou don't need to prove you get a benefit.
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPYou don't need to prove you get a benefit.
All benefits accepted
None needed: any new customer can order it
Where you can get it
All London boroughs and Spelthorne in Surrey. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Not included.
Good to know
This isn't strictly a social tariff, because anyone can get it. A comparison site showed it as a sale price until 14 October 2026, so check the price before you order.
Checked 5 October 2026 on Grain's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150
£13.00 a month
Average speed
150Mbps download, 150Mbps upload
Contract
1 month rolling
Set-up costs
Free installation and router
Will the price change?
Rolling monthly contract, so you can leave with 30 days' notice and no exit fee.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditHyperoptic checks with the DWP, with your permission.
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPYou'll need to send evidence, such as your award letter or a recent payment.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Housing Benefit, Care Leavers' Support
Where you can get it
Selected blocks of flats and homes on Hyperoptic's network in towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales. Fair Fibre is only offered at some addresses, so use the checker on Hyperoptic's page. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Optional phone service.
Faster options
Fair Fibre 500: £17 a month. Fair Fibre 1Gb: £20 a month.
Good to know
The account holder must be the person getting the benefit.
Checked 5 October 2026 on FibreNest's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
KCOM Full Fibre Flex
£14.99 a month
Average speed
30Mbps download, 30Mbps upload
Contract
1 month rolling (30 days' notice)
Set-up costs
No set-up fee and no router charge
Will the price change?
Not subject to KCOM's yearly price rises.
Universal Credit
Conditions: accepts Universal Credit in some casesThe £14.99 plan needs zero earnings in your Universal Credit assessment period. With reduced earnings you can get Flex Plus at £19.99.
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on KCOM's list, with no extra conditions stated.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit (zero earnings), Income Support, Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Care leavers
Where you can get it
Hull and East Yorkshire only, on the KCOM network. (Full fibre (FTTP))
Phone line
Included, with 750 minutes a month to UK landlines and mobiles.
Faster options
Full Fibre Flex Plus: £19.99 a month, 50Mbps download and upload.
Good to know
You can apply online through KCOM's Flex portal. Using Open Banking gives a decision in minutes. New customers have a credit check.
No connection fee. Router included (return it when you leave).
Will the price change?
Fixed at £15 for 12 months. Eligibility is re-checked each year.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditSend a recent Universal Credit statement (from the last 3 months).
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on G.Network's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
Parts of London on G.Network's full fibre network. (Full fibre)
Good to know
If you no longer qualify at the end of the 12 months and don't move to a standard plan, the service is ended. Existing customers can switch without an exit fee.
Checked 5 October 2026 on G.Network's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
toob toob essentials
£15.00 a month
Average speed
50Mbps download, 50Mbps upload
Contract
1 month rolling (7 days' notice)
Set-up costs
Free installation and router
Will the price change?
Rolling monthly with no exit fees. Eligibility is re-checked every 12 months.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal Credittoob checks with the DWP. No documents and no credit check.
PIP
No, does not accept PIPtoob says PIP doesn't qualify.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support
Where you can get it
Towns in Hampshire and Surrey, including Southampton, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Waterlooville, Farnborough, Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet and Woking. (Full fibre)
Checked 5 October 2026 on toob's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Lightning Fibre Social Tariff
£15.00 a month
Average speed
50Mbps download, 50Mbps upload
Contract
1 month rolling (30 days' notice)
Set-up costs
Free set-up, modem and router
Will the price change?
No minimum term, and Lightning Fibre says the price won't go up mid-contract.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal Credit
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on Lightning Fibre's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Care Leavers' Support
Where you can get it
Eastbourne, Polegate, Hastings, St Leonards, Hailsham, Heathfield and Broad Oak in East Sussex, and Tenterden in Kent. (Full fibre)
Good to know
The speed is guaranteed to the modem. The person getting the benefit must be the main person on the contract.
12-month minimum, but no early exit penalty. Then rolling monthly.
Universal Credit
Conditions: accepts Universal Credit in some casesOnly if you also get Council Tax Support (Council Tax Reduction), which many people on Universal Credit do.
PIP
Conditions: accepts PIP in some casesOnly if you also get Council Tax Support.
All benefits accepted
Council Tax Support (Council Tax Reduction)
Where you can get it
Rural communities in northern England, mainly Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Northumberland. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Optional B4RN Voice.
Good to know
Apply by email to socialtariff@b4rn.org.uk with a copy of your Council Tax bill showing Council Tax Support. Single person discount and student exemption don't count.
Checked 5 October 2026 on B4RN's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
BT Home Essentials No Income
£16.50 a month
Average speed
36Mbps download
Contract
12 months, but you can leave at any time with no exit fee
Set-up costs
No set-up fee. Ask BT about router delivery.
Will the price change?
Fixed for 12 months. At renewal you move to whatever Home Essentials costs then.
Universal Credit
Conditions: accepts Universal Credit in some casesOnly if nobody in your household has income from work. If you have earnings, BT's cheapest fibre plan is Home Essentials Fibre Essential at £22.
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on BT's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support
Where you can get it
Anywhere on the Openreach network, which covers most of the UK. (Part fibre (FTTC))
Phone line
Included: line rental and unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles.
Faster options
Fibre 2: £25 a month, 67Mbps. Where fibre isn't available there's an Unlimited Broadband plan on copper ADSL for £15 a month, 16Mbps, with line rental and calls.
Good to know
Have your National Insurance number ready. The person getting the benefit must be the account holder. New customers have a credit check and may be asked for a deposit. Eligible Plusnet and EE customers can move to BT Home Essentials.
Ask Quickline (listed elsewhere as 1 month rolling)
Set-up costs
Free router and installation
Will the price change?
Ask the provider
Universal Credit
Conditions: accepts Universal Credit in some casesOnly if you had zero earnings in your latest Universal Credit assessment period.
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on Quickline's list.
All benefits accepted
Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit (zero earnings), Attendance Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Care leavers
Where you can get it
Parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Quickline's full fibre network. (Full fibre)
Good to know
You'll need proof of your benefit and proof that you own or rent the home. Quickline's website blocked our checks, so these details come from an archived copy of its page (September 2026) and Ofcom's list. Call Quickline's sales team to apply.
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Care leavers
Where you can get it
Parts of Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Not included. A home phone add-on is available.
Good to know
You can upload your benefit evidence with the online application.
Checked 5 October 2026 on WightFibre's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Sky Broadband Basics
£20.00 a month
Average speed
35Mbps download
Contract
24 months, but no fee to leave the broadband early
Set-up costs
Ask Sky
Will the price change?
No price rise during the contract. After 24 months it goes back to Sky's normal price unless you reapply.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditYou must already be getting Universal Credit (not just applied), be named on the statement and be the Sky account holder.
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on Sky's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support
Where you can get it
Anywhere on the Openreach network, which covers most of the UK. (Part fibre (FTTC), or copper where fibre isn't available)
Phone line
Sky Pay As You Talk is included: no monthly calls charge, you pay for each call.
Faster options
Full Fibre 75 or Superfast 80: £24 a month.
Good to know
Apply by phone. Sky has said in the past that Broadband Basics is only for existing Sky customers. Its page no longer says that, so ask when you call. Have your National Insurance number ready.
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on Vodafone's list. Disability Living Allowance is accepted too.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance
Where you can get it
Most of the UK, on Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre lines. (Part fibre or full fibre)
Phone line
Ask Vodafone. Its price list shows an optional landline for £3 a month.
Good to know
Vodafone advertises up to 80Mbps; its FAQ gives 73Mbps as the maximum. There's a credit check. Apply using the online form on Vodafone's Essentials page.
Checked 5 October 2026 on Vodafone's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Connect Fibre Essentials
£20.00 a month
Average speed
150Mbps download
Contract
1 month rolling
Set-up costs
Free set-up, installation and router
Will the price change?
Monthly rolling, 30 days' notice to cancel.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal Credit
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP and other disability benefits are on Connect Fibre's list.
All benefits accepted
Income Support, Pension Credit, Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Disability benefits, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit, Care Leavers' Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
Villages and small towns in parts of Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Essex, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Optional, £10 a month.
Good to know
Apply by phone. You'll need proof showing your name, address and latest benefit payment. The speed is guaranteed to the router.
Checked 5 October 2026 on Connect Fibre's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Truespeed Truespeed Basic
£20.00 a month
Average speed
30Mbps download, 30Mbps upload
Contract
12 months
Set-up costs
Free standard installation
Will the price change?
No price rise during the 12-month contract.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal Credit
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on Truespeed's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Care leavers, Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
South West England around Bath and Somerset, and rural East Anglia (the former County Broadband network in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk). (Full fibre)
Phone line
Optional phone line.
Good to know
County Broadband customers have moved to Truespeed. The speed is guaranteed.
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on GoFibre's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
Parts of Scotland (including Aberdeenshire, Angus, East Lothian, Fife and the Scottish Borders) and northern England (Northumberland and Teesdale). (Full fibre)
Phone line
Optional call plan, £4 a month.
Good to know
GoFibre checks your eligibility using your surname, date of birth and National Insurance number. Ask whether the £99 installation charge applies to you.
Checked 5 October 2026 on GoFibre's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
Wildanet Helping Hand
£20.00 a month
Average speed
30Mbps download
Contract
Ask Wildanet
Set-up costs
Free installation (subject to availability)
Will the price change?
Ask the provider
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal Credit
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on Wildanet's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit
Where you can get it
Cornwall and Devon, on Wildanet's own network (full fibre, or fixed wireless in some areas). (Full fibre or fixed wireless)
Good to know
Wildanet's page doesn't show the price or speed. The £20 price and 30 to 100Mbps speed (depending on your address) come from Ofcom's list, so confirm them when you apply.
Checked 5 October 2026 on B4SH's website. Always confirm the price before you sign up.
BT Home Essentials Fibre Essential
£22.00 a month
Average speed
36Mbps download
Contract
12 months, but you can leave at any time with no exit fee
Set-up costs
No set-up fee. Ask BT about router delivery.
Will the price change?
Fixed for 12 months. At renewal you move to whatever Home Essentials costs then.
Universal Credit
Yes, accepts Universal CreditOpen to everyone getting Universal Credit, whether or not they work.
PIP
No, does not accept PIPPIP isn't on BT's list.
All benefits accepted
Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support
Where you can get it
Anywhere on the Openreach network, which covers most of the UK. (Part fibre (FTTC))
Phone line
Not included. You can add pay-as-you-go calls for £2 a month or unlimited calls for £10 a month.
Faster options
Fibre 2: £25 a month, 67Mbps.
Good to know
Have your National Insurance number ready. The person getting the benefit must be the account holder. New customers have a credit check and may be asked for a deposit.
No mid-contract rises. The price stays the same while you keep getting the benefit.
Universal Credit
Conditions: accepts Universal Credit in some casesOnly Universal Credit with zero earnings.
PIP
Yes, accepts PIPPIP is on Gigabit IQ's list.
All benefits accepted
Income Support, Pension Credit, Universal Credit (zero earnings), Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, Care leavers, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Where you can get it
Rural East Hampshire, the Surrey Hills and nearby villages, including Grayshott, Hindhead and Beacon Hill. (Full fibre)
Phone line
Not included.
Good to know
Gigabit IQ's website blocked our checks, so these details come from an archived copy of its page (March 2026), which matches Ofcom's list from August 2026.
If you're with one of these and you get a qualifying benefit, you'd need to switch provider to get a social tariff. Ask your provider first whether you'd have to pay to leave your contract early.
EE has no broadband social tariff. EE broadband customers can move to BT Home Essentials by calling 0800 079 5122.
Plusnet has no social tariff. Eligible Plusnet customers can move to BT Home Essentials.
TalkTalk has no social tariff.
Utility Warehouse has no social tariff.
Zen Internet has no social tariff.
Cuckoo has no social tariff.
Gigaclear has no social tariff, but offers payment plans if you're struggling.
Airband has no social tariff. It sells a low-cost Fibre 40 package instead.
Trooli, Zzoomm, Connexin, Voneus, Ogi and Pine Media have no social tariff that we could find.
What is a social tariff?
A social tariff is an ordinary broadband service sold at a lower price to people who get certain benefits. You get the same network, the same engineers and the same complaints rights as any other customer. It isn't a government scheme, so you apply to the provider, not the DWP.
Each provider chooses its own price, speed and list of qualifying benefits. Being turned down by one provider doesn't mean you'll be turned down by another.
Why you don't see these deals on comparison sites
Comparison sites are mostly paid by commission when you sign up through their links. Social tariffs usually pay no commission, and many providers don't allow affiliate links on them, so they tend to be left out. This site has no affiliate links at all, and every link goes straight to the provider.