Discount on people on Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance

[malc2758]

I am thinking of moving over to Vodafone as they do a discount on people on Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance as you only do a discount on Universal Credit unless you can do me a similar deal I might have to move to Vodafone so it is up to you deal or no deal.

[Twirly49]

If I get ESA benefits and not universal credit can I still get reduction in my broadband. Your guide is not clear and the the Gov drive to introduce more social tariffs suggests that his social tariff is to help more people on benefits. Virgin's information just says if you get Universal Credit you can apply. It looks like virgin's safety net will only help some, this is very disappointing if true.

Would I be better off going to a company that is more inclusive of various benefits like BT?

[newapollo]

Hi @Twirly49 

At the moment it's only available to those on Universal Credit, although this will be changing as VM said, "we will also expand our eligibility criteria to include a wider range of benefits so even more people can access our social tariff."

Latest info is shown via the following link

news/as-we-step-up-our-support-in-the-cost-of-living-crisis-its-time-to-cut-vat-on-social-tariffs/ 

[Ernie_C · Accepted solution]

Currently, you have no choice but to go elsewhere if the social tariff is what you need although Virgin Media may at some stage have a product available for other benefits claimants.

[newapollo]

Hi @malc2758 

Unfortunately at the moment the Essential Broadband packages are only available  to those on Universal Credit, however this should change in the future, as per the info below from VM's https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk  press release.

Working with Government to make sign-ups easier and prices cheaper

In August, after the Government launched a new tool designed to make it easier for customers to confirm their eligibility for social broadband tariffs, Virgin Media O2 confirmed it was the first provider working to implement the automated checks with integration expected in the coming months. This project, once complete, will also enable Virgin Media O2 to expand the range of benefits in scope for its social tariffs to include Pension Credit amongst others for the first time, allowing more people to access these services.

[CarolB333]

Any updates on this, or is it still the case that anyone on one of the older benefits has to leave Virgin to get a social tariff?

[CarolB333]

6 months later is this still the case that anyone on one of the older benefits has to leave Virgin to get a social tariff?

[newapollo]

Hi @CarolB333 

The latest info (below) is from the following Press Release 

Supporting customers with the cost-of-living crisis

Many telecoms operators have continued with support packages first put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic as the cost of living crisis has started to bite.

Companies have launched new or improved social tariffs aimed at helping ensure households receiving benefits can access affordable broadband, with prices typically starting at £15 per month for unlimited broadband.

Virgin Media O2 has recently cut the price of its social tariff to £12.50 in an immediate benefit to all customers and launched a new faster 50Mbps service. Already this year it has seen a 294% increase in its Essential Broadband sign ups and the company is taking further steps to expand the eligibility criteria for these social tariffs and make sign ups easier in the coming months.

[CarolB333]

Thanks, but that's really just a load of words and marketing bulls... There's still no answer as to if Virgin do, or indeed will ever support social tariff for anything other than Universal Credit claims. Which I kind of guess means they won't being doing this year.

[Chester33]

What is Essential Broadband?

Our Essential broadband packages help anyone on a low income get online for a low monthly price with M15 or M50 Fibre Broadband. And now, for those on our M50 package, you can add Stream from Virgin Media for a one-off setup fee of £20.

If you want to subscribe to an 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.

Am I eligible?

If you are a Virgin Media account holder receiving one of the following: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance†, Income-based Employment Support Allowance†, you are eligible for Essential broadband packages. This applies to new and existing customers.

† (not contributory-based only. If both income and contributory-based, your income-based ESA or JSA must be higher)