DWP full list of benefits that could see you get broadband for £12.50 a month

A social tariff could reduce your bill to £12.50 per month

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Linda HowardMoney and Consumer Writer

Kieran IsginMoney & Lifestyle writer

11:52, 13 NOV 2024

Woman looking at letter — A number of benefits could benefit from discounted broadband (Image: Getty Images)

DWP claimants can take action to ensure they are not overpaying for broadband. With Black Friday just around the corner, it's worth checking if you could be eligible for a cheaper deal or a so-called social tariff, which could reduce bills to as little as £12.50 per month.

Before contacting your broadband provider, take a look at their website to get an idea of the deals on offer - these are often only available to new customers. However, don't hesitate to ask for a better deal, especially if you spot an offer that provides the same service and speed you currently have but at a lower price.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis is a big fan of haggling to secure cheaper broadband and streaming subscription services. While this can significantly reduce your monthly cost, checking if you qualify for a broadband social tariff is an even simpler solution and could save you up to £200 over the next year.

Low-income State Pensioners claiming Pension Credit, or those claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) may be able to switch to a social tariff, reports the Daily Record.

A social tariff could potentially save you around £200 each year. The fastest way to determine your eligibility for a social tariff is to directly contact your supplier and inquire - even if you don't qualify, they may be able to suggest other methods to lower your broadband bill.

It can be somewhat perplexing to know if the benefit you're claiming qualifies for a social tariff, so we've put together a list of all available social tariffs and the benefits that qualify for them. A system established in 2022 allows broadband providers to quickly check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's consent.

The DWP's system will be able to confirm entitlement for the following benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Income Support, Jobseeker's allowance, Employment and support allowance, Care Leaver's Support, Reduced Earnings Allowance. The providers listed below are taken from Ofcom's most recent guidance on social tariff broadband packages.

Direct links to the broadband provider websites can be found here. Please note that the broadband providers listed may not be available in your area. Those that cover the entire UK are marked as 'UK':