Last week, Virgin Media cut the price of its social tariff broadband package in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis. The telecoms giant confirmed its Essential Broadband package, which is aimed at those people receiving Universal Credit, is now £12.50 a month for new and existing customers.
The package, which offers speeds of 15Mbps, is joined by a new speed tier, Virgin Media said, which will offer faster 50Mbps broadband for £20 a month as part of a package called Essential Broadband Plus. Both plans have no fixed-term contract or activation fee.
BT also offers a ‘Home Essentials’ package which provides broadband and home phone services to customers on any one of five benefits, for £15 per month. The person in receipt of an eligible benefit must be the named account holder on their BT Homes Essentials plan.
Eligibility for BT Home Essentials £15 package
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 (same rules for JSA)
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
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.
BT is also running limited-time offers for new and existing broadband customers taking out BT’s TV Entertainment package, as well as across multiple broadband plans including Fibre Essential.
BT TV Entertainment Offer
BT TV’s Entertainment package is now available for just £6 per month for 24 months (down £11 from the usual price of £17 per month) – offering a saving of £264 in total.
The offer is available until November 3 to new and existing broadband customers.
New BT TV Entertainment package customers will receive a Netflix basic subscription, as well as a NOW Entertainment membership that includes access to Sky Atlantic, Sky Max and Sky Witness.
BT Broadband and Complete WIFI Offer
There is also a limited-time offer on broadband including Fibre Essential, Superfast Fibre and Full Fibre plans.
From now until November 3, new customers taking out BT Broadband will get the first three months of their package for free, including a free Set Up Fee - usually £29.99.
Within this period, new and existing BT customers will also be able to take out Complete Wi-Fi and receive the first three months for free - saving £36.
Complete Wi-Fi delivers wall-to-wall coverage around your home, using Wi-Fi discs to extend your Smart Hub 2's signal.
For more information on BT TV and broadband, visit www.bt.com/tv
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.
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