The cost of living crisis is prompting people to take a closer look at their finances to find possible ways to reduce their outgoings and with switching energy suppliers currently off the table, one of the most obvious ways is to look at your broadband package.
Those on a low income or Universal Credit or other means-tested legacy benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) such as Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) may be eligible for £15 monthly broadband packages available from BT.
The Virgin Media deal is only available to those on Universal Credit.
The fibre broadband packages are designed to keep those on a low income connected. Below is everything you need to know about them.
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.
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.
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.
Virgin Media Essential broadband
Virgin Media Essential broadband helps you get online for £15 a month with a 15Mbps fibre broadband speed.
Eligibility for Virgin Media Essential broadband
It’s a broadband-only package available if you’re already a Virgin Media customer and you receive Universal Credit.
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.
£15 monthly cost won't change
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.
Broadband-only package
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.
Flexible 30-day contracts
Essential broadband is a 30-day rolling contract, which means whenever you’re ready to go back to your usual Virgin Media services, just give them a call and they will sort it all out for you.
If you ever want to switch to Essential broadband again, you can just reapply the same way.
Find out more about Virgin Media Essential broadband here.
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