Broadband Social Tariff

NathanDrury

Do Working Tax Credit (with disability element) and/or child tax credit claimants qualify for broadband social tariffs? 
BT for example specifies Universal Credit and refused application. 

poppy12345

There's a list of here companies that have cheaper BB for those claiming certain means tested benefits. Unfortunately, tax credits isn't listed on any of them. https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/broadband-deals-for-low-income-families/

NathanDrury

Thanks, I read that but wondered why tax credits wasn't included. Its unfair on those on tax credits who haven't yet been ported over to Universal credit. 

calcotti

NathanDrury said:

Thanks, I read that but wondered why tax credits wasn't included. It’s unfair on those on tax credits who haven't yet been ported over to Universal credit. 

People can choose to claim UC if they wis, that will end their Tax Credits. Very people have been ‘ported over’ yet.

kaMelo

No one is being ported onto Universal Credit but you are free to claim UC any time you wish.

poppy12345

NathanDrury said:

Thanks, I read that but wondered why tax credits wasn't included. Its unfair on those on tax credits who haven't yet been ported over to Universal credit. 

Because they chose not to include it. Why is it unfair? You can claim UC anytime you want to.

HillStreetBlues

BT run a benefits check to see if a person is entitled to it, I think all the qualifying ones  are administered by the DWP
But WTC is run I believe by HMRC

So could it just be the simple fact that BT  can't tell if someone is eligible as they can not check the system WTC is on?

Spoonie_Turtle

HillStreetBlues said:

BT run a benefits check to see if a person is entitled to it, I think all the qualifying ones  are administered by the DWP
But WTC is run I believe by HMRC

So could it just be the simple fact that BT  can't tell if someone is eligible as they can not check the system WTC is on?

Interesting thought.  Housing Benefit is not on the list either despite being fully means-tested (more so than Tax Credits), which is administered by each individual local authority.

Muttleythefrog

I suspect the above might be right in that it may come down to what benefits the providers can easily (electronically) check receipt of. Ultimately these are private companies and so presumably can set whatever criteria they like. Poppy gives link to providers above... here's the OFCOM one
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

rangout

My own BT contract is up in a couple of months and the online page states it is DWP:

"When your contract ends we'll check with Department for Work and Pensions and let you know if you're still eligible for your current Home Essentials plan. There's no need to tell us if your circumstances have changed."

johnph

I applied to VM online for social tariff and completed questionaire on Chat, inc consent to Pension Services for verification of Benefit.

It then says login to VM account and follow instructions. Except nothing happened and only option was to Upgrade or Cancel account. No mention of Social Tariff optoin. VM agent was not much help either, suggsting I repeat whole procss again which I have already done several times.

Looks like VM don't know their own procedures, or don't want to have cheaper tariffs.Still awaiting outcome.

Also, initially Pension Civil Services was on strke so that was not much help. What now?

May try Hyperoptic instead if necessary, but not sure how emails work with them. Do I need another router for that?