Blog

Are you looking for affordable landline and broadband deals for pensioners? We can help you get connected from just £10 to £23 per month with special social tariff packages.

Social tariffs give you specially designed broadband and phone packages when you’re claiming Pension Credit and other benefits. You get cheap broadband for pensioners without losing essential functionality. Providers may call this ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband, but you can still get speeds over 30 Mbit/s. This speed is good enough for streaming HD movies, shopping online, and keeping in touch with family.

Also, there is good news if you get Pension Credit. You can get cheaper broadband for seniors, starting at £12.50 a month. Providers like Virgin Media offer this deal. Other companies offer similar broadband deals for pensioners, though what’s available depends on your provider.

We put you in control with pricing that won’t surprise you. 

Social tariffs are different from regular packages. They won’t surprise you with price hikes. You will only pay what you agree to at the start of the contract.

This guide shows you:

• Your options for affordable internet access
• Requirements you must meet to qualify.
• How to find the best broadband and phone deals for pensioners based on your specific needs

Don’t let expensive broadband tie you down when better options are available.

What are social broadband tariffs and how do they work?

Social broadband tariffs are special internet deals for people who get government benefits. These packages provide the same quality as regular broadband, but at much lower prices.

Definition and purpose of social tariffs

Social tariffs, or basic broadband, help families who struggle to pay for internet access. They provide a financial safety net. These discounted plans mean that everyone can use the internet, no matter how much money they earn.

The numbers are clear, research from Ofcom shows that around 4.3 million homes in the UK could save about £200 each year by picking a social tariff. 

Benefits of social tariffs for pensioners

For pensioners receiving Pension Credit, social tariffs offer several significant advantages:

• Substantially lower monthly costs compared to standard packages
• No setup or installation fees
• Freedom to leave without early termination charges
• Protection from the contract being passed to debt collection agencies
• Same quality of service as standard broadband packages

Social tariffs provide peace of mind since they’re specifically designed for those on fixed incomes.

Typical speeds and costs

Most social broadband plans provide fast speeds over 30Mbps. This is enough for regular online activities like video calls, watching TV shows, or surfing the web. Current prices typically range from £10 to £23 monthly, with options available from major providers:

Virgin Media’s Essential package costs £12.50 monthly for 15Mbps speeds, while BT Home Essentials offers 36Mbps for £15 per month. Other providers like Sky, NOW, and Hyperoptic offer competitive packages at similar price points.

No mid-contract price hikes

A big benefit for retirees on fixed incomes is that social tariffs keep prices the same during the contract. This is different from regular broadband plans. This means the price you agree on at the beginning stays the same during your contract. This helps you plan your budget better.

Ofcom’s research shows that switching to a social tariff can save qualifying households about £250 each year. This means your broadband bill could be cut in half.

Who qualifies for cheap broadband for pensioners?

Rules for discounted broadband packages depend on which benefits you receive. Let’s examine who qualifies for these affordable options and how to access them.

Pension Credit and other qualifying benefits

Pension Credit is the main qualifying benefit for pensioners seeking discounted internet services. However, conditions extend beyond just this benefit. Most major providers also accept applications from those receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Some providers like Hyperoptic, KCOM, and Vodafone extend their social tariffs to include non-means-tested benefits such as:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance

Each provider sets slightly different criteria to qualify, so it’s worth checking multiple options. For example, Vodafone accepts Reduced Earnings Allowance. Other companies may have stricter requirements.

How to prove eligibility

To get these tariffs, you must be the account holder who receives the benefit. Someone else in your household cannot qualify for you. Most providers verify eligibility directly through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The verification process is usually simple. When you apply, you need to say which benefit you get. The supplier will contact the relevant government offices to check if you qualify. This simple method means you often don’t need to show proof of benefits.

What if your provider doesn’t offer a social tariff?

If your current broadband provider doesn’t offer social tariffs, you have options. You can change to a provider that has these discount packages if you meet their requirements.

Also, if you switch for this reason, your current provider may let you end your contract without paying fees. Nevertheless, this isn’t guaranteed with all providers, so it’s advisable to check directly with your current company first.

Remember that if you’re experiencing financial difficulties, Ofcom has directed providers to support struggling customers. If your provider does not offer social tariffs, reach out to them. Talk about payment plans or other help options before you miss any payments.

Best broadband deals for pensioners in the UK

Many big UK providers want to help retirees get special broadband packages. Each comes with unique features and pricing structures to suit different needs.

BT Home Essentials

BT phone and broadband deals for pensioners, such as social tariff, gets you fibre broadband starting at £15 per month for 36Mbps speeds. Are you looking for faster speeds? A 67Mbps option is available for £20 monthly.

Both packages have a 12-month contract. You can cancel anytime without paying extra fees. Setup costs are minimal with just a £9.99 charge for postage and packaging. 

BT also offers the Smart Hub 2 router. It gives you dual-band Wi-Fi for a strong connection all over your home.

Virgin Media Essential Broadband

Virgin Media has two options for pensioners who receive Pension Credit. The basic Essential package offers speeds of 15 Mbps for £12.50 each month. The Essential Plus package gives faster speeds of 54 Mbps for £20 a month.

Here’s what makes Virgin Media different: Both come on flexible 30-day rolling contracts with no activation or exit fees. These packages won’t increase in price while you continue receiving benefits.

NOW Broadband Basics

NOW Broadband’s social tariff provides 36Mbps average download speeds for £20 monthly. It includes a Pay-as-you-Use calls plan at no extra cost, meaning you only pay for calls you actually make.

This package has a monthly contract. You can cancel it with 31 days’ notice. Currently, this option is only available to existing NOW Broadband customers.

Sky Broadband Basics

Sky offers a similar package to NOW at £20 monthly for 36Mbps speeds. This includes pay-as-you-go landline calls. Like NOW, this social tariff is exclusively available to existing Sky customers.

Community Fiber and regional options

Don’t overlook smaller regional providers – they often offer excellent value. Community Fibre’s Essential package offers 35Mbps for £12.50 a month. Anyone can sign up.

Local broadband companies can often provide faster speeds in their social tariffs than larger providers. For instance, B4RN offers an impressive 1Gbps connection for just £15 monthly. There are other local providers, like Grayshott Gigabit, Hey! Broadband, and WightFibre, who offer speeds of 100Mbps or more in their low-cost plans.

Ready to compare your options? Check what’s available in your area first.

Tips for comparing and switching broadband providers

Finding the right broadband deal doesn’t have to be complicated. We provide you with tools and methods to help pensioners find affordable options easily.

Check what’s available at your address

Start here: Enter your postcode into Broadband Freedom’s broadband checker or similar tools to see all available options. These tools show you standard, superfast, and ultrafast broadband availability in your area, plus predicted download and upload speeds .

Check Postcode

Once you know what’s available, use comparison websites to find which package suits your needs. Think about how you use the internet – basic browsing, email checking, or video streaming – this affects which speed tier you need .

Watch out for contract terms and hidden costs

Contract lengths vary massively between providers, from one month to 18 months or longer . Longer contracts often give you lower monthly prices. However, they require you to commit for a longer time.

Be vigilant about annual price increases. Many providers will do this even while you are under contract.

Don’t forget upfront costs like equipment, delivery, or installation fees when comparing total costs. Some comparison tools calculate the “effective monthly cost” by factoring in these extras and any cashback or voucher rewards .

Leave without penalties when you can

Under Ofcom rules, you can leave your provider without penalties if you’re not getting the broadband speeds promised when you signed up . If a provider raises prices that aren’t in your contract, you can cancel for free within 30 days.

Most early contract cancellations mean exit fees, often based on remaining months in your contract . Time your switch near your contract end date to save money.

Get inclusive landline minutes that work for you

For pensioners who regularly use landlines, packages with inclusive call plans offer better value than paying for individual calls . Many broadband deals include landline calls as standard or as an optional add-on.

Inclusive call plans help you know what your bill will be each month, stopping surprise charges. If you don’t choose an inclusive call plan at first, most providers allow you to add this feature later if your calling needs change.

We put you in control – choose the package that fits your needs, not what providers want to sell you.

Stay connected on your terms

Staying connected digitally matters more than ever for pensioners. Social tariffs can help you if you get Pension Credit and other benefits. You could save up to £250 a year compared to regular plans.

You get affordable broadband deals from just £10 per month while still getting speeds suitable for everyday online activities.

Social tariffs help keep your prices fixed during your contract. This means you won’t face surprise price hikes. 

Major providers like BT, Virgin Media, NOW Broadband, and Sky all offer dedicated packages for eligible pensioners. Regional providers sometimes deliver even faster speeds at competitive prices, making them worth checking based on your location.

Ready to make the switch?

Check carefully to see if you qualify. Use postcode checkers to find out what services you can get at your address. You can make a good choice that looks at both cost and the quality of the connection you need.

Furthermore, the application process has become much simpler. Most providers now check with government departments to see if you qualify. This simple way makes it easier to find these low-cost choices.

Don’t miss out on substantial savings. 

Ofcom research shows that only 8.3% of households that qualify are using social tariffs. You might be missing out if you qualify but haven’t yet switched to one of these pensioner-friendly packages.

The digital world offers countless opportunities for connection, entertainment, and practical support. You can now enjoy these benefits without any money worries.

Take control of your broadband costs today.