People who receive State Pension from the DWP and are on a low income may be able to access broadband and mobile services for a reduced price
Pensioners could reduce their broadband bill(Image: Getty Images)
State Pension claimants are being urged to make a broadband check that could end up saving them hundreds of pounds a year. Social tariffs are offered to those on Government benefits and can help older people reduce their bills.
Households on Pension Credit, a DWP benefit paid to State Pensioners on low income, are eligible to apply for broadband provider social tariffs. Virgin Media O2 customers can sign up for the Essential broadband package which costs £12.50 a month.
Dana Haidan, VMO2’s chief sustainability officer, said: “With today’s research revealing pensioners feel increasingly isolated due to the rising cost of living, Virgin Media O2 is proud to offer a range of comprehensive measures to help people on low incomes to get online and stay in touch with loved ones. Anyone who is receiving Pension Credit or a range of additional benefits are able to access our cut-price tariffs that offering broadband and mobile services starting from as little as £10.
“We want to raise the profile of our broad range of support for people experiencing financial difficulties, helping to combat loneliness and keep the nation connected.” Meanwhile, O2 has a £10 per month O2 Essential Plan which is available for both new and existing customers who receive a range of benefit payments, and comes with 10GB of mobile data, plus unlimited calls and texts, reports BirminghamLive.
Virgin Media says: “We’ll ask for some details like your name, postcode and date of birth. We’ll use this information, with your permission, to check with the Department for Work and Pensions that you’re eligible for our Essential Services.” It further states: “If you’re eligible, we will get you up and running on your chosen broadband or mobile tariff with £0 set up cost.”
More information about social tariffs and how you can get cheaper broadband and phone packages is available on the Ofcom website here. It says: “Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
“They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.”
Ofcom explains that a social tariff is cheaper than a regular package. Current prices range from £10 to £23.
It adds: “Most tariffs offer superfast broadband at speeds over 30 Mbit/s – fast enough for you to keep in touch with friends and family, stream HD films or shop online. You’ll pay next-to-nothing to get set up.
“If you do have to pay any setup costs, these should only be small. Your provider should tell you before you sign up.
“It could cost nothing to switch. If your provider offers a social tariff, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge.”