Benefit claimants have been encouraged to check if they qualify for "consistently cheap" broadband deals. Martin Lewis says many eligible people are missing out on rates that could save hundreds of pounds per year.
A post on his Money Saving Expert blog advised that "April's hideous 14 per cent broadband price hikes have kicked in yet four million on a low income are missing out on special cheap broadband". The money guru has since shared the cheapest deals available right now, for customers whose contracts have run out.
Sharing his handy comparison tool with his fans, he also said: "We always say the way to bag cheap broadband is through short-lived promotional deals...Yet for those on a range of benefits, there are more than 10 'social tariffs', which give long-term consistently cheap prices that could save more than hundreds of pounds a year on average.
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"You won't see them on broadband comparisons... until now!" One of the deals was as low as £12 per month with Vodafone. Social broadband deals are mainly for those on Universal Credit, with most also allowing people receiving Pension Credit to make the most of the deal, too.
Martin Lewis added that 'a decent number' of deals also include those on Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments (PIP). To use the comparison tool, you simply click this link and check the 'show social tariffs' box, before entering your postcode.
The tool will then show you all the deals with near-national coverage, as well as each provider's eligibility criteria, alongside all standard deals available to you, so you can best compare. Money Saving Expert has also provided a full social tariffs list, which includes smaller firms, too.
The Money Saving Expert went on to say: "Standard broadband deals can often be cheaper in the short term - especially if you want fast speeds. If you're willing to switch regularly and you want fast fibre or quicker, the cheapest standard deals often undercut social tariffs as they usually include switch promo vouchers or bill credit.
"However, social tariffs give consistency and simplicity, so they can be a winner if you want to stay with the same firm."
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