How hard-up Brits can get cheap broadband and phone deals January 11, 2019 BROADBAND and phone contracts can cost up to £200 per year but if you’re struggling financially, you may be able to get a cheaper deal.
For example, if you’re a recipient of certain benefits, BT lets you pay less than their usual prices but there are also limits.
Getty – Contributor If you’re really struggling to pay your broadband and phone bills, you may be able to get cheaper deal
If you’d like to get online or you rely on your landline to make phone calls but can’t afford the bills, you have a few options.
BT currently offers anyone to apply for a phone deal for as little as £5.
10 a month, or a broadband and phone package for £9.95 a month – while Virgin Media has frozen the prices for some customers.
The eligibility criteria differs between the providers, so we’ve made a round-up of your options and all the details you need to know below.
Usually you’ll need to share personal details such as your National Insurance number as well as confirm which benefits you are receiving or details of any disabilities.
BT Basic and BT Basic Plus
BT is required by law to run the so-called social tariff at a loss in order to make sure struggling Brits aren’t cut off completely from keeping in touch over the phone or internet – and it’s available for both BT customers and non-customers.
Basic aims to keep phones ringing in the most vulnerable households by charging as little as £5.
10 a month – and it comes with a £1.50 call allowance.
If you go over the call allowance, you’ll be charged for any calls made up to the amount of £10.
You also get free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers up to a total of 60 minutes.
If you’d like to get more than just a landline, you should take a look at BT’s Basic + Broadband service, which costs £9.
95 a month for both a phone line and broadband. READ Crypto Exchange Poloniex Announces ‘Pre-Fork’ Trading for Bitcoin Cash Split
There are no installation charges, so you just have to pay for delivery of the router.
The broadband package comes with a monthly usage of 15GB, which typically means you can browse the internet for up to half an hour a day. Top tips for getting the best deal with your current provider IF you’re not eligible for any of the deals for hard-up Brits, here are other ways to save hundreds each year on your internet and phone bill. If you’re out of contract or nearing the end, call your provider and say you’re going to leave unless they can better the deal you’re on. Check out price comparison sites, such as Compare The Market and USwitch, so you know the best deals available on the market – use this data when negotiating with your current provider.
Don’t forget to not just haggle on cost – you can get them up on speeds, improved router and other freebies. If you don’t like what’s offered, you can walk away and find a better deal elsewhere.
The deals are available for those who receive either income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, the guaranteed element of pensions credit, income-related employment and support allowance as well as universal credit recipients with no earnings.
It’s available for anyone to apply meaning it’s possible for customers of other suppliers to switch to BT for the deal – you just need to make sure it’s your name on the application form.
BT says there’s no maximum earnings threshold – you simply need to be on at least one of the benefits listed above. READ Four airports found to be failing disabled passengers
How do I apply?
You’ll need to order an application form from BT by calling 0800 800 864 – and you’ll have 14 days to return it after receiving it.
When BT has all your information, they’ll check your personal details against benefits information held by the Department for Work and Pensions and then let you know whether you’ve been successful in your claim.
Keep in mind though that as the call allowance and amount of data is limited, it may not be the best option for you.
Getty – Contributor BT is letting some customers browse the web for a monthly cost of only £9.95 Talk Protected plan from Virgin Media
If you have a disability or you’re above the age of 65 and you’re a customer with Virgin Media, you can get a Talk Protected plan from the provider bundled in with your broadband.
As part of Talk Protected, line rental charges are frozen at £17.
99 and won’t rise any further.
You’ll also get free evening and weekend calls, flexible payment options as well as £5 off other Virgin Phone plans.
How do I apply? Talk Protected is automatically given to Virgin Phone customers over the age of 65 and those with: Limited mobility .
