A BIG broadband provider is cutting bills for millions on Universal Credit and other benefits.

Virgin Media has today extended the eligibility of its low-cost social broadband tariff.

The move allows 9.7million hard-up households to access the cut-price Essential Broadband package.

Those on benefits can save up to £256 a year on their broadband bills thanks to these social broadband tariffs.

We recently launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs. 

The average broadband bill costs £33.35 or £400 a year, according to the price comparison website MoneySuperMarket.

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But Virgin's social broadband package costs just £12.50 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.

Customers can expect speeds of up to 15Mbps.

The exact amount you'll save by switching will depend on how much you were paying for your broadband before.

Always remember to search around before you commit to a new tariff to ensure you get the best deal.

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Previously only those claiming Universal Credit were eligible to apply for Virgin Media's Essential Broadband tariff.

But with the launch of Virgin's new automatic verification tool – millions more hard-up households on the following benefits are now eligible:

• Income-based employment support allowance (I-ESA)
• Income-based jobseekers allowance (I-JSA)
• Income support
• Pension credit

The firm has become one of the first major telecoms providers to fully integrate the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) social tariff-checking tool.

This makes it faster and easier for customers to prove their eligibility with an automated check.

If you want to subscribe to the Essential broadband package, you will need to provide your full name, postcode and date of birth, and confirm your consent to Virgin Media using these details to perform an eligibility check.

You can share your details and apply for the social tariff on Virgin Media's website using its live chat or by calling 0345 454 1111.

Jeff Dodds, chief operating officer at Virgin Media O2 said: "As the first major provider to introduce a social tariff, and the only operator to have cut the price of this, we have a history of stepping up in tough times.

"Connectivity remains essential in so many ways, so we are expanding the eligibility criteria for our social tariffs to make it easier and faster for millions more low-income families to access this support during the cost-of-living crisis."

But Virgin Media isn't the only provider offering low-cost social broadband tariffs.

Other firms offer tariffs that are 50p cheaper per month than Virgin's tariff.

Ofcom has a list on its website of all the providers that offer social broadband packages.

You'll have to check with each telecom firm to see how to apply – you'll often have to do this online or over the phone.

But be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.

Here's a full list of firms offering social tariffs and their eligibility requirements.

BT

BT offers customers on selected benefits a low-cost 12-month contract costing £15 a month.

Average broadband speeds for the tariff are rated at 36Mb. You can check to see if your home is BT-ready by using the firm's postcode checker on its website.

You'll need to be in receipt of the following benefits to be eligible:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Income support

Customers can also get faster speeds with the BT Home Essentials 2 tariff which costs £20 a month.

Check if you're eligible on BT's website.

Now

Now's Broadband Basics package is open to all those who receive Universal Credit and pension credit.

You can grab a 36Mbps contract for £20 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.

If you're interested in the package you'll need to ring Now on 0333 759 5056.

Sky

Like Now, those receiving Universal Credit and pension credit are eligible for Sky's social broadband tariff – dubbed Broadband Basics.

It'll set you back £20 a month over an 18 month term and it'll give you speeds up to 36Mbps.

To check if you're eligible and to apply for the tariff you'll need to call Sky on 0333 759 3898.

Vodafone

Vodafone's Essentials Broadband costs just £12 a month and comes with 38Mbps download speeds.

Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:

• Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• Universal Credit
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Disability living allowance (DLA)
• Personal independence payment (PIP)

Existing Vodafone customers that have been identified as financially vulnerable can also get the service.

Visit the Vodafone UK website to sign up for Vodafone Essentials Broadband.

Alternatively, you can visit a Vodafone store or call the customer service team on 0333 304 0191.

Hyperoptic

Customers living in several of the UK's biggest cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow are able to take advantage of Hyperoptic's Fair Fibre plans.

The firm offers four social broadband tariffs priced between £15 and £28 a month and covering speeds between 50Mbs and 150Mbs.

The contracts are also set-up on a 30-day rolling basis which means you can cancel the contract more flexibility than other longer tariffs.

To be eligible you'll need to be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Income support
• Personal independence payments (PIP)
• Care leavers support

You can apply over the phone by calling 0333 920 9747 or email the firm at [email protected].

Do any other firms offer social tariffs?

A number of other smaller regions firms offer social broadband tariffs.

You'll have to check directly to see if your region is eligible.

The total amount you'll save will also vary depending on which provider you switch to.

Air Broadband Air Support

• £20 a month
• 100 Mbit/s speed

Community Fibre Essential

• £12.50 a minth
• 20 Mbit/s speed

Country Connect Social Tariff

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

G. Network Essential Fibre Broadband

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

Grayshott Gigabit Connect

• £20 a month
• 100 Mbit/s speed

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150

• £20 a month
• 150 Mbit/s speed

KCOM

• £14.99 a month
• 30 Mbit/s speed

Lightning Fibre Social Tariff

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbits/s speed

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Lothian Broadband Social Tariff

• £19.99 a month
• 100 Mbits/s speed

WightFibre Essential Broadband

• £16.50 a month
• 100 Mbits/s speed

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