Virgin Media withdraws its social tariff packages

dawnriser

I was helping a refugee on UC apply for  VM Broadband. She selected one of the social tariff packages (they come at £12.50 and £20 both unlimited data). She was told they have stopped offering social tariffs. So I called in my own name and was told they had been withdrawn because “the kids were using them up in a couple of days watching Netflix”
Social Tariffs are still being offered on their website with Unlimited Data. I asked how kids could use up all of their unlimited data in 2 days? There wasn’t a sensible response. 

Instead they offered her a package at £26.50 with 125mb speed and unlimited data as their cheapest package. 

Has anyone else been turned down for a social tariff ?
PS I put in a complaint to OFCOM. 

Jyana

I know Virgin have recently cracked down on torrent sites, they've just court ordered the blocking of hundreds web pages, along with Vodafone and some other providers. Maybe they customer advisor was giving out a half truth story (torrenters need Netflix/Disney/etc to grab files from, some spend all day doing this and may well take advantage of a cheaper social tariff to do so. Though I imagine most of it happens overseas, I know some does happen domestically too) or maybe they were only given half the truth to begin with. Or maybe it's not related at all, just thought it might be possible and worth mentioning though. 

TELLIT01

Presumably part of the argument from the supplier is that if they can afford to subscribe to Netflix or similar they have spare disposable income and don't need the social tariff.

sarahlply

I am with bt on social tarrif and so far not been capped and we watch tv on Netflix most nights especially at half term, there’s got to be another reason, glad you have taken further.

tomtom256

TELLIT01 said:

Presumably part of the argument from the supplier is that if they can afford to subscribe to Netflix or similar they have spare disposable income and don't need the social tariff.

Not really, as long as they meet the eligiblity criteria, it shouldn't matter.

Muttleythefrog

Sounds to me like the typical VM bad customer service... I'd use alternative words but my post wouldn't last. Try again as there may have been a misunderstanding, yes complain... but if there are other providers available try them... BT is good. As above... if they're offering a product and they qualify then that should be that.

johnph

I applied to VM online for social tariff and referred to Pension Services for verification but nothing happpened. Possibly os they are on strike! VMs customer agent was no help as had no authority to deal with it.

Will try Hyperoptic if necessary instead, but not sure how emails work with them.

peteuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80018338#Comment_80018338

Most of the social tariffs have either a download restriction or spread restrictions. So probably not suitable for Netflix use.

A lot of new customers can get just as good value on a normal tariff if you work the systems.

tomtom256

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80028523#Comment_80028523

I get that, but my point was, it doesn't matter what you are using it for, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for it, they can't really refuse it just because you have a streaming subscription.

tifo

It's still available and anyone can apply if they're eligible.

https://virginmedia.com/broadband/low-income-families

Chrysalis

I think you need to contact VM again, they havent been withdrawn.