Mobile Social Tariffs – Unlimited Data from £10 a month
Social Tariffs Offer Cheaper Plans for your Phone
The ongoing ‘cost of living crisis’ is effecting more people than ever before, many are struggling to pay their normal household bills let alone enjoy the freedom of unlimited data on their phone.
Ofcom encouraged the UK networks to offer a lower priced alternative for those on low income and a couple have stepped up to really try to help out.
If you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Allowance or Disability Allowance, then you can take advantage of these money saving offers.
(Network criteria varies – please check before ordering).
Our picks of the best social mobile tariffs are from VOXI (Vodafone) and SMARTY (Three) who are currently offering completely unlimited data, calls and SMS from just £10 a month!
VOXI Social Tariff – ‘For Now’
If you’re receiving benefits, VOXI want to give you unlimited data, calls and SMS for just £10 a month.
VOXI works on top of the Vodafone network, so if you have a good signal on Vodafone you’ll enjoy the same with VOXI.
This fantastic offer lasts for 6 months, at which point they’ll switch you to their standard £10 plan which includes unlimited social media and unlimited calls and SMS.
They offer the same flexibility as they do their other standard plans, meaning you can cancel or change from their Social Tariff anytime.
SMARTY Social Tariff
SMARTY offers a great value Social Tariff for those struggling and not able to afford the higher prices of standard plans.
For just £12 a month you can get completely unlimited data, calls and SMS with the SMARTY Social Tariff on a monthly rolling plan.
SMARTY works on top of the Three network, so if you have Three coverage you’ll receive the same from SMARTY.
Instead of the 6 months offered by VOXI, SMARTY will check every 12 months to see if you are still receiving eligible benefits.
If you receive income-based employment support, income-based job seekers, income support, pension credit or universal credit you are able to take advantage of this lower priced Social Tariff.
Other Social Tariffs without Unlimited Data
Some of the other network providers also offer Social Tariffs, however with lower data allocations each month.
O2 Social Tariff – Essential Plan
O2’s Essential Plan offers you 10GB of data, unlimited calls and SMS for £10 a month.
The plan is a SIM Only plan that you can cancel anytime, O2 will check in with you after 18 months to make sure you’re still in receipt of benefits and then again after each 12 months.
EE Mobile Social Tariff – Basics
If you don’t need lots of data but just enough to check websites, socials etc, then EE’s ‘Basics’ plan might help.
They offer you 5GB of data, unlimited calls and SMS every month for £12 on a rolling one month contract for 12 months.
Sky Mobile Social Tariff
Sky Mobile works slightly differently in that it only supports those that take out their Broadband Social Tariff – Sky Broadband Basics.
If you’re already with Sky and struggling to pay your broadband bill, then you can switch to their ‘Basics’ plan which costs £20 a month for connections up to Full Fibre depending on your location.
This then entitles you to their Sky Mobile Basics which is offered at no extra charge and gives you 3GB of data every month with unlimited calls and SMS, free 5G Add On and Piggybank which stores all of your rolled over data to use when you need it.
Support from Telecoms Providers
If you’re having difficulty paying a bill, don’t ignore it. Talk to your communications provider as soon as possible.
Providers should offer a range of contact methods (such as phone, email and webchat) and you can let your provider know if you have a preferred method.
Communications providers should:
• Ask about your financial situation and ability to pay.
• Based on your ability to pay, advise you about measures to help you pay your bill, which may include a payment holiday or payment plan or switching to a cheaper tariff (some contracts have a fee if you end them early, but providers can consider waiving these if you switch tariff because you are struggling to pay).
• Let you know about social tariffs (see above), including who is eligible and how to sign up.
• Tell you about how you can set up bill or usage checkers and limits.
• Check you can easily access your billing information.
• Allow you some time to get help, support and advice on how to manage your debts, without the threat of enforcement action or disconnection during this time.
