What are social mobile tariffs and who is eligible?

If you’re struggling to keep up with rising phone bills, it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for a social mobile tariff. This is a phone plan designed specifically to help people on lower incomes or those receiving certain government benefits to access mobile services at a reduced cost.

In this guide, we'll explain how they work, who is eligible, and how to find the cheapest social mobile tariffs.

What are social tariffs for mobile?

Social mobile tariffs are phone plans aimed at people on low income. You can be eligible if you’re on government benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit or equivalent benefits.

They work in the same way as normal packages, except they’re usually offered at a discounted rate and will protect you from mid-contract price rises. With increased living costs, regulator Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.

This has the potential to help many households to stay connected, so they don’t miss out on communication, healthcare, education and entertainment.

How can a social mobile tariff help me?

You could benefit from a social tariff because:

• It's available to people on a variety of benefits
• It can be cheaper than a regular package
• If your provider offers a social tariff, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge
• The price won't change mid-contract
• It costs nothing to leave

Am I eligible for social mobile tariffs?

Mobile phone providers have different eligibility criteria for social mobile tariffs. The majority of them require you to receive at least one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Some providers might also include additional benefits like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.

The person receiving the benefit must be the main person on the contract.

What social tariffs for mobile are there?

These are the social mobile tariffs available if you are receiving government benefits. Check if you qualify for any of these:

Should I get a social tariff for mobile?

Social mobile tariffs are designed for people on benefits or low incomes and made to be more affordable than a regular package. Having said that, you might be able to find a cheaper plan from the likes of Lyca Mobile, TalkMobile, or iD Mobile. Run a quick comparison on our SIM only deals page to see if you can find a cheap plan that suits you.

But it’s not all about price. There are other advantages that come with opting for a social mobile tariff:

• The price won’t go up mid-contract.
• You can switch to a social tariff free of charge at any time.
• You don’t have to pay an early exit fee.

Ultimately, try to get a social mobile tariff deal that works best for you. Think about how much mobile data you need. If you mainly use WiFi, then a lower-data plan might suit you

Are there social tariffs for my broadband too?

Yes, there are. If you're on certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit or you meet other criteria, you could also be eligible for a social broadband deal .

Regulator Ofcom estimates that around 1.9 million households in the UK are having difficulty affording their broadband service. Many everyday tasks are a lot harder without an internet connection, from checking your bank account to helping the kids with their homework.

Regulator Ofcom says these plans are available to an estimated 4.3 million households. They can work out to be a lot cheaper than regular broadband deals, saving you around £200 a year.

How do I apply for a social tariff?

How do I apply for EE social mobile tariff?

You have to call EE on 080 0956 6000. There's no option to sign up online.

As long as you receive at least one of the qualifying benefits, you’ll be eligible for the social mobile tariff.

EE will do an eligibility check to see if you are receiving benefits. It will also carry out a standard credit check and ask you for your National Insurance Number when you apply.

How do I apply for SMARTY social mobile tariff?

To sign up, you have to fill out SMARTY’s social tariff form and provide details of the benefits you're receiving.

SMARTY will then send this to the Department for Work and Pensions to check you’re receiving the benefits. Once they send this form and your application has been successfully verified, you’ll be able to sign up for the SMARTY social tariff plan.

Not eligible for this mobile tariff but still want to go with SMARTY? Check out our best SMARTY SIM only deals.

How do I apply for VOXI social mobile tariff?

You can instantly get verified for eligibility with VOXI. It uses a company called Moneyhub to check if you receive benefits.

You can access the VOXI social mobile tariff in these steps:

• Confirm that your benefits are paid into a UK bank account
• Select your bank
• Consent to Moneyhub checking eligibility through Open Banking to verify you receive a government benefit payment

Interested in opting for VOXI but are ineligible for a social mobile tariff? Have a look at our best VOXI SIM only deals.

How do I apply for Virgin Media O2 social mobile tariff?

You can apply for an O2 Essential Plan if you receive certain support payments - including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-based Employment Support Allowance.

Before setting you up, you will need to provide a few details to confirm you’re eligible.

They’ll ask for some details like your name, postcode and date of birth and will use this information to check with the Department for Work and Pensions that you’re eligible for the Essential Plan.

Once you’ve completed the check, they will get you up and running with your Essential Plan SIM.

If you’re not eligible for a social tariff, you can see our best O2 mobile deals.

What happens if I stop receiving benefits?

If you stop receiving the benefits that made you eligible for the social mobile tariff you’re on, your provider will likely notify you and switch you over to one of its standard plans.

If you’re not eligible for a social mobile tariff and still want to cut your bills, one of the simplest options is to switch to a different mobile provider.

If you’re thinking of getting a mobile phone, a refurbished phone could be a good choice, potentially saving you £100s.

What do I do if I’m struggling to pay my mobile bill?

If you can’t pay your bill, contact your provider straight away.

If you go over your monthly phone bill allowance and can’t afford the extra cost, your mobile provider could disconnect you or charge cancellation fees.

Always speak to your mobile phone provider if you think you won’t be able to pay your phone bill. Many networks have schemes put in place to help customers who are having financial struggles.

These might include changing your bill date, moving you to a cheaper tariff or capping your monthly allowance so you don’t go over your usage limit. It’s also possible that your provider will delay your payments for a set period, depending on your circumstances

Bear in mind that most providers will allow you to put a cap on your spending, which will stop you from going over your allowance.