Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert explains how anyone on Universal Credit can slash essential bill by up to £230
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MARTIN Lewis' MoneySavingExpert has explained how anyone on Universal Credit can slash their broadband bill by up to £230.
Around 4.2million households can get cheaper deals on this essential bill by signing up for a social tariff.
You can get these lower priced special tariffs if you claim benefits including Universal Credit.
But MoneySavingExpert warned millions of eligible households are missing out on the savings in its
The average saving you can make by signing up to a social tariff is £230.
But only 136,000 out of 4.2million eligible households are signed up for these deals, according to new figures from Ofcom.
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It comes as one provider has made its special tariff even cheaper to help hard-up customers through the cost of living crisis.
Virgin Media has slashed the price of its Essential Broadband package for those on Universal Credit to £12.50 a month from £15.
The package has speeds of 15 Megabits per second (Mbps), and all new and existing customers are eligible for the new lower price.
The same customers will have access to a new package, Essential Broadband Plus, offering higher broadband speeds of 50Mbps for £20 a month.
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Both plans have no fixed-term contract or activation fee.
What other social broadband tariffs are on offer?
Social broadband tariffs are available to people on certain benefits, including Universal Credit - they can cut bills by hundreds of pounds a year.
But you'll have to get in touch with your provider to go onto one. If your provider doesn't offer one you can switch companies.
In August, Sun Money called on the government, regulator Ofcom and suppliers to do more to support struggling customers.
We with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers could save.
We also called on firms to make it easier for customers to switch to tariffs.
How you apply for one will vary depending on your provider as each one will have its own rules on eligibility.
Prices vary as well so it's worth shopping around by using price comparison sites such as or .
Virgin Media isn't the only provider offering a social broadband tariff.
Here is the full list of broadband and phone social tariffs according to Ofgem.
Whether you can sign up to a specific deal will depend on where you live and the benefits you claim.
The speed and quality of the package may vary as well - make sure you check the deal out thoroughly to see if it suits you:
- Air Broadband Air Support: £20 a month
- BT Home Essentials: £15 a month
- BT Home Essentials 2: £20 a month
- Country Connect Social Tariff: £15 a month
- G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband: £15 a month
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50: £15 a month
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150: £25 a month
- KCOM Full Fibre Flex: £14.99 a month
- NOW Broadband Basics: £20 a month
- Sky Broadband Basics: £20 a month
- VOXO For Now: £10 a month
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One savvy saver slashed £300 off her broadband bill using a social tariff.
Here's the easy tool to help you save hundreds on your bill.