The short version
General information, not advice
- Social tariffs cost £10 to £24 a month (Ofcom, updated 17 August 2026).
- Most give more than 30 Mbit/s, enough for HD streaming and video calls. A few go up to 1 Gbit/s.
- It costs nothing to leave one, and switching onto one could cost nothing too.
- Each provider sets its own rules, so ask yours, even if you're mid-contract.
Benefits named by Ofcom as commonly accepted; individual providers' lists vary.
What a social tariff is
A social tariff is an ordinary broadband package sold at a lower price to households on certain benefits. The connection comes from the same provider, over the same network, with the same router, and it’s only the price and the terms that change. Ofcom lists the providers that offer one and what each charges; at the last update, prices ran from £10 to £24 a month. Most packages are faster than 30 Mbit/s, which comfortably handles streaming, schoolwork and video calls for a typical household.
Who qualifies
The benefits most providers accept are Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support. Some also accept Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance. You don’t need to be out of work, because Universal Credit counts while you’re working, and usually only one person in the home needs to qualify. Providers normally check eligibility with the Department for Work and Pensions directly, so there’s rarely paperwork to send.
Moving onto one
Ask your current provider first. According to Ofcom, it could cost nothing to switch to a social tariff, even from another provider, and it costs nothing to leave one before the contract ends. If your provider doesn’t offer one, Ofcom’s list shows who does. Check the minimum term, whether the price is fixed, and what happens if you stop getting the benefit.
Sources, checked 26 September 2026: Ofcom: social tariffs (updated 17 August 2026). Switch4Good Limited is a commercial business and not a charity. General information, not advice.
Not eligible?
You can still pay less by switching. Compare broadband through Switch4Good: the price is the same as going direct, and at least 50% of eligible commission goes to the cause you choose.