The cost of living continues to rise, plunging more people into financial difficulty.
Benefits aren't what they used to be, but they can still help you out in a pinch. And one little-known helping hand that comes along with the DWP's means-tested benefits is that of cheap broadband.
BT and Virgin Media both have specific cheap deals for those claiming universal credit and some other benefits, as the Daily Record reports. Read on for everything you need to know, including eligibility and how to claim the offers.
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BT Home Essentials - £15 per month
BT Home Essentials is the new name for BT Basic, providing broadband and home phone services to customers on benefits.
Two broadband packages are available with speeds of 36Mb and 67Mb, while customers who just want a landline can sign up for home phone only with unlimited minutes.
The eligibility criteria for BT Home Essentials are tight and customers must be in receipt of certain benefits to qualify.
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Eligibility for BT Home Essentials
BT Home Essentials is open to new or existing BT customers who are receiving one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance (income based or with contributory allowance that is less than the income based portion)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The person in receipt of an eligible benefit must be the named account holder on their BT Homes Essentials plan.
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BT package options
Home Essentials Unlimited Fibre Essentials
- Cost: £15 per month (12 month contract)
- Speed: 36Mb average
- Upfront costs: Free
Home Essentials Unlimited Fibre
- Cost: £20 per month (12 month contract)
- Speed: 67Mb average
- Upfront costs: Free
Home Essentials - Calls Only
- Cost: £10 per month (12 month contract)
- Upfront costs: Free
Read more: Universal credit, pension, Pip, and more benefits you could be entitled to as cost of living bites
Eligibility checks
When a customer applies for BT Home Essentials, they will need to pass an eligibility check. This will include the type of personal information normally supplied when applying for broadband such as surnames and addresses.
However, applicants will also need to supply their date of birth and National Insurance number so their specific eligibility for Home Essentials can be checked.
An option of a security deposit is available for those with low credit scores.
Find out more on the BT Home Essentials here.
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Virgin Media Essential broadband
Virgin Media Essential broadband helps you get online for £15 a month with a 15Mbps fibre broadband speed. It’s a broadband-only package available if you’re already a Virgin Media customer and you receive Universal Credit.
Eligibility
To qualify for this pack, Virgin Media needs the account owner to show some proof that they receive Universal Credit before they can set them up. To apply, just fill in an online application form and they will email you back with how to complete the eligibility checks.
As soon as they go through, they will swap you over and you won’t have to pay any extra fees or charges for changing from your current Virgin Media services.
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Things to take note of
Virgin says it will keep you connected at £15 a month for as long as you’re eligible. This means the price of your Essential broadband pack won’t change while you’re receiving Universal Credit payments. However, bear in mind the Essential broadband pack is a broadband-only service, so if you’re currently taking TV and/or home phone with Virgin, these services will be cancelled.
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