Social tariffs

baser999

My mother is pretty much housebound and visually impaired. Cancelled her TV licence long ago and depends upon RNIB Talking Books through her Alexa dot for everyday ‘entertainment’ which of course requires an internet connection. She has the basic package of £31.99pm along with a landline of £7.50pm. It seems she doesn’t qualify for the BT Essentials package (identical to what she has) of just £15pm as she doesn’t receive any of the listed benefits. She only gets state pension and AA. 

BT won’t be moved on their costs, saying the social tariff requirements are set by Work and Pensions. Been on the Ofcom site and none of the providers listed include AA. 

It seems the only thing to do is change broadband supplier? We’re with Sky and pay just £22pm for broadband and line rental.

Neil_Jones

Move provider then.  If your mum isn't eligible for a social tariff because the right benefits aren't being claimed little else you can do.

Or see if mum is eligible for the benefits required for those packages if you haven't do already.  Then apply to BT or somebody else again.

baser999

Thanks; have looked into it and changing provider seemed to be the only option but thought I’d throw it out there to see if anyone had experienced similar 

Neil_Jones

Well to be honest I don't know what else you're expecting to be told.  If you're not eligible for a social tariff because you don't claim the benefits required for them, nothing anybody on here can do about that.

Even the government website says "f you receive government benefits, you could qualify for one of these discounted price plans".  Doesn't mean you will be.

An edge case it may be, but them's the rules.  Sorry.

Brie

Would she qualify for Pension Credits?  

In any case you might want to have a read through this....

All you need to know about broadband social tariffs - Which?

Brie

fyi - given that the number of providers listed give tariffs on different critierium it appears that the BT person was not correct about it being set by the government.

sportsarb

It might be worth contacting providers to see what they can do, Essentials packages aren't something that providers have to offer although they are being shamed into doing it for the most part, so saying that they can't offer it because certain benefits aren't received is government policy is a gross distortion.

Neil_Jones

sportsarb said:

It might be worth contacting providers to see what they can do, Essentials packages aren't something that providers have to offer although they are being shamed into doing it for the most part, so saying that they can't offer it because certain benefits aren't received is government policy is a gross distortion.

Yes but it could be argued the eligibility for those benefits is a result of government policy.  If the DWP or whoever say you're not entitled to a benefit because the current rules/criteria for you don't meet them, that's not the fault of the internet provider, that's the way the system works and government needs to change the law to potentially make you eligible.

sportsarb

Neil_Jones said:

sportsarb said:

It might be worth contacting providers to see what they can do, Essentials packages aren't something that providers have to offer although they are being shamed into doing it for the most part, so saying that they can't offer it because certain benefits aren't received is government policy is a gross distortion.

Yes but it could be argued the eligibility for those benefits is a result of government policy.  If the DWP or whoever say you're not entitled to a benefit because the current rules/criteria for you don't meet them, that's not the fault of the internet provider, that's the way the system works and government needs to change the law to potentially make you eligible.

My point is that the providers have wiggle room to accept people onto Essentials tariffs and don't have to strictly abide by a law, which by the way doesn't exist, and not ever accept anyone else.

It causes no harm to ask providers, I recently had an experience where Vodafone told me I didn't qualify and after gently pushing them for a couple of weeks they accepted me onto the tariff and waived quite considerable early termination charges they were originally wanting to charge me, I'm not saying it will definitely pay off for OP but that it doesn't hurt to ask.

Neil_Jones

sportsarb said:

Neil_Jones said:

sportsarb said:

It might be worth contacting providers to see what they can do, Essentials packages aren't something that providers have to offer although they are being shamed into doing it for the most part, so saying that they can't offer it because certain benefits aren't received is government policy is a gross distortion.

Yes but it could be argued the eligibility for those benefits is a result of government policy.  If the DWP or whoever say you're not entitled to a benefit because the current rules/criteria for you don't meet them, that's not the fault of the internet provider, that's the way the system works and government needs to change the law to potentially make you eligible.

My point is that the providers have wiggle room to accept people onto Essentials tariffs and don't have to strictly abide by a law, which by the way doesn't exist, and not ever accept anyone else.

Well Jobseekers Allowance is definitely part of the statute book:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/378/contents/made

There are probably other examples for the other benefits, but the overall point about eligibility for the social tariffs being based on receipt of specific benefits (and somebody not getting them) remains valid.

SJMALBA

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

'* Each company has its own list of eligible benefits, but all include Universal Credit. Other benefits may include Pension Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, and Care Leavers’ Support.'