Phone/Broadband social tariff?

penny15

hi,
i live in a rural area and have a disability, so on benefits etc and am short of cash. the internet is my life line when i can't get out of the house, does anyone know if there's any scheme/plan out there for someone in my situation?
thanks,

Tehya

Hi, I'm my husband's full time carer so unfortunately we rely on benefits too.

It's not a social tariff but the best package we've found, and the service is the best we've ever had, is O2 Broadband.

It's normally £12ish a month but because we have the broadband account attached to our mobile phone we get it for £7.50 per month. To get the discount all we have to do is top up the mobile phone by £10 once every three months. Our package is unlimited so we don't have to worry about over usage or anything as I use it for online courses and we both use it for online gaming over Xbox Live.

Before anyone asks how we could both afford an Xbox and TVs I bought them before my hubby became ill and disabled, when we were both working. My mum buys both of our yearly subscriptions to Xbox Live for Christmas. We also don't go out socialising (ever) or smoke or drink. The internet is a lifeline to both of us as we have both online and real life friends all over the world who we game with so I know how important access can be to those of us who have no choice but to be stuck indoors.

When my hubby's a bit more with it, I'll ask him if he knows of any social tariffs as he's the broadband expert. He used to be a broadband engineer for BT.

Tehya

Hi, sorry just noticed you'd mentioned phone/broadband. Hubby says that BT offer something called BT Basic for people on benefits. You have to apply to go on the scheme and when they recieve your application they verify the the benefits you recieve with the DWP. I haven't got any links at the moment but I'm having a look for you.

If we can't find anything on the web I suggest you give BT a call and ask to apply.

PS: It looks like BT Basic is just for phone line and calls. sorry I couldn't help any further than that.

penny15

thanks for that, ive just spoken to sky but they dont seem to do one. i'm just a bit wary of bt, they dont seem to have a very good reputation but it seems 02 have (according to the price comparison sites) so i'll look at them as i have an o2 mobile phone. best wishes.

idvi

bt basic phone is £13.50 a quarter, and you can add any broadband package to that (normal price).

you will still be saving money as thats rock bottom line rental

JenniO

actually O2 home phone line rental is £9.50 a month. You've already got O2 broadband / mobile - so this should be your best bet!:D

Prinzessilein

I rely on the internet to keep me in touch with the world!

I am about to move into my new ground floor flat (wheeeee!) and am looking at changing provider.
I have been recommended the Post Office for phone and broadband.
Depending on the package it costs about £20 give-or-take.

Their customer service is, so I've been told, excellent.

only_mee

Tehya wrote: »

Before anyone asks how we could both afford an Xbox and TVs I bought them before my hubby became ill and disabled, when we were both working. My mum buys both of our yearly subscriptions to Xbox Live for Christmas. We also don't go out socialising (ever) or smoke or drink. The internet is a lifeline to both of us as we have both online and real life friends all over the world who we game with so I know how important access can be to those of us who have no choice but to be stuck indoors.

It comes to something when you feel you have to explain why you have possessions that you do, on benefits.:(

only_mee

Also I'm on the o2 £7.50 per month, also have the phone through them now aswel.

hrafndot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tehya

Before anyone asks how we could both afford an Xbox and TVs I bought them before my hubby became ill and disabled, when we were both working. My mum buys both of our yearly subscriptions to Xbox Live for Christmas. We also don't go out socialising (ever) or smoke or drink. The internet is a lifeline to both of us as we have both online and real life friends all over the world who we game with so I know how important access can be to those of us who have no choice but to be stuck indoors.

only_mee wrote: »

It comes to something when you feel you have to explain why you have possessions that you do, on benefits.:(

It does seem to be the case, it's shocking.

I've just closed my account with Experian, didn't see why I should be paying to have myself investigated!!! bit of a conflict of interests.

[Deleted User]

I NEVER EVEN KNEW about this BT social phone tariff!!!!!!!!

( Sorry to rake up an old thread!! )

They kept THAT one quiet , just HAPPENED to come across it on Martins list of phone providers etc as have been with Virgin Media for 4 years , paying out of my back teeth because of a problem with a 'tag' on my phoneline which couldn't be removed...

I don't even know if they can remove it but have cancelled my Virgin Media contract TODAY!!!

I might have to just get an expensive dongle package but WILL try this just in case and let others know too as i was totally unaware of it , line rental of £4.75 a month is INCREDIBLE PLUS with inclusive calls it pretty much works out at £3.33 a month!!! ;

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/other-products-services-bt-basic.html