Brits claiming benefits are being encouraged to check whether they're entitled to discounted broadband packages costing as little as £12.50 per month. Social tariffs are discounted broadband packages offered by some providers to households receiving certain benefits.
These deals are designed to make internet access more affordable for families on lower incomes. Virgin Media O2 said its Essential Broadband plan starts from £12.50 per month for speeds of 15Mbps, whilst a faster package costing £20 a month offers speeds of 54Mbps, reports the Daily Record.
The plans are available on 30 day rolling contracts with no activation or exit fees and no price rises whilst the household continues to receive qualifying benefits. Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said reliable internet access is increasingly vital for students preparing for exams.
She said: "Exam season is one of the most important periods in a young person's education, and today reliable home internet plays a vital role in how students revise and prepare.
"But many families are under real financial pressure, and some may not realise discounted support is available.
"Through social tariffs, we're helping eligible households access affordable broadband so no student is disadvantaged when it matters most."
Households claiming Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit and certain other income-related benefits may qualify for social tariff broadband packages, although eligibility criteria differ between providers.
Consumer organisations have previously cautioned that millions of eligible households nationwide could still be paying standard rates because they are unaware such reduced-cost tariffs are available.
Top social broadband tariff dealsHere are nine to give you an idea of monthly costs, speeds available and eligibility.
Highland Broadband social tariff- Monthly cost: £23.99
- Average broadband speed: 100mbps
- Eligibility: various means-tested benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £16
- Average broadband speed: around 36mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £21
- Average broadband speed: around 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £24
- Average broadband speed: around 67Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £12.50
- Average broadband speed: 15Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 54Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 73Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits, see above list
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