What is a broadband social tariff and who can get one?

For people on Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits who want cheaper broadband.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

A social tariff is a cheaper broadband or phone deal for people on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit.

The government says social tariffs could save eligible households up to £220 a year.
You ask your broadband provider for it. It is not paid by the government.
Major providers have signed a charter promising to make social tariffs easy to find and to tell eligible customers about them.
Signed providers offer customers in financial difficulty practical help, such as moving to a cheaper package without a charge or penalty.

Key facts

For people on means-tested benefits
Could save up to £220 a year
Ask your own provider
Help for customers in difficulty

What a social tariff is

A social tariff is a cheaper broadband (and sometimes phone) package. Broadband companies offer it to customers who get means-tested benefits. "Means-tested" means the benefit depends on your income and savings, like Universal Credit.

It is not a government payment. You do not apply to the Department for Work and Pensions. You ask a broadband provider for it.

How much you could save

The government says social tariffs could save eligible households up to £220 a year.

Saving	Amount
Per year (up to)	£220
Per month (about)	£18.33

The exact price, speed and rules depend on the provider. Each provider sets its own deal.

Example from one provider

BT has social tariffs, including a lower £15 tariff for "zero income" households. The government reports that BT has over 330,000 households on its social tariffs.

Worked example

Priya gets Universal Credit and pays for normal broadband. If she switches to a social tariff and saves the full £220 a year, that is about £18.33 a month back in her budget. Over 2 years, that is £440.

Your saving could be smaller. It depends on what you pay now and the deal you move to.

Many people do not know about them

When the government announced new rules in February 2026, it said nearly 7 in 10 eligible broadband customers had not heard of social tariffs. Providers that signed the new charter have promised to point eligible customers towards them.

What providers have promised

The government announced the Telecoms Consumer Charter in February 2026. Ten providers have signed it: BT Group, VMO2, Vodafone Three, Sky, TalkTalk, KCOM, Community Fibre, WightFibre, Hyperoptic and Olilo. They promise to:

make social tariffs easy to find
tell eligible customers about them
give practical support to customers in financial difficulty, such as moving to a cheaper package without a charge or penalty, or a payment plan they can manage

More providers may sign later.

How to get one

Check you get a means-tested benefit, such as Universal Credit.
Contact your current broadband provider and ask about their social tariff.
If they do not offer one, ask other providers about their social tariffs.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Social tariffs are offered by broadband companies, not by the UK, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland governments. The providers that signed the charter include BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone Three.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Common questions

Who can get a broadband social tariff?

Social tariffs are for customers on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit. Each provider sets its own exact rules.

How much can I save with a social tariff?

The government says eligible households could save up to £220 a year.

Do I have to pay a fee to switch to a social tariff?

Providers that signed the Telecoms Consumer Charter promise practical support for customers in financial difficulty, such as moving to a cheaper package without a charge or penalty.

Official sources

1.Telecoms Consumer Charterwww.gov.uk/government/publications/telecoms-consumer-charter/telecoms-consumer-charter
2.End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of livingwww.gov.uk/government/news/end-to-surprise-phone-and-broadband-bill-hikes-to-help-with-cost-of-living
3.Digital Inclusion Action Plan: One Year Onwww.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-action-plan-one-year-on/digital-inclusion-action-plan-one-year-on

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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