THOUSANDS of households on DWP benefits can slash a major household bill by more than half.

Benefits and Universal Credit entitle customers to lots of discounts and freebies – including cheaper broadband tariffs.

Those on benefits can save up to £256 a year on their broadband bills thanks to social broadband tariffs.

The average broadband bill costs £33.35 or £400 a year, according to the price comparison website MoneySuperMarket.

But prices are set to rise for millions in the next few weeks so now is prime time to check if you can save with a social tariff.

BT, EE, Three and Virgin Media are among the firms which have confirmed that they will put up bills by up to 14.4%.

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The price hikes will come into effect from the end of March and will affect customers even if they are signed up to a contract with a fixed price.

We recently launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs. 

And monthly prices start at just £12 with Vodafone but remember to search around before you commit to ensuring you're getting the best deal.

Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.

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The amount you'll save will also depend on how much you pay now and which social tariff you take up.

The following benefits will usually entitle you to a social broadband tariff:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Income support
• Disability living allowance (DLA)
• Personal independence payment (PIP)

Ofcom has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.

You'll have to check with each telecom firm to see how to apply – you'll often have to do this online or over the phone.

Here's a full list of firms offering social tariffs and their eligibility requirements.

BT

BT offers customers on selected benefits a low-cost 12-month contract costing £15 a month.

Average broadband speeds for the tariff are rated at 36Mb. You can check to see if your home is BT-ready by using the firm's postcode checker on its website.

You'll need to be in receipt of the following benefits to be eligible:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Income support

Customers can also get faster speeds with the BT Home Essentials 2 tariff which costs £20 a month.

Check if you're eligible on BT's website.

Now

Now's Broadband Basics package is open to all those who receive Universal Credit and pension credit.

You can grab a 36Mbps contract for £20 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.

If you're interested in the package you'll need to ring Now on 0333 759 5056.

Sky

Like Now, those receiving Universal Credit and pension credit are eligible for Sky's social broadband tariff – dubbed Broadband Basics.

It'll set you back £20 a month over an 18 month term and it'll give you speeds up to 36Mbps.

To check if you're eligible and to apply for the tariff you'll need to call Sky on 0333 759 3898.

Virgin Media

The firms Essential Broadband package gives low-income households broadband for £12.50 a month on a 30-day rolling basis.

Customers can expect speeds of up to 15Mbps.

Customers can get faster speeds of up to 54Mbps with the Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus package which costs £20 a month.

You'll need to apply on Virgin Media's website using it's live chat.

Vodafone

Vodafone's Essentials Broadband costs just £12 a month and comes with 38Mbps download speeds.

Anyone receiving one of the following state benefits can get the service:

• Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• Universal Credit
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Disability living allowance (DLA)
• Personal independence payment (PIP)

Existing Vodafone customers that have been identified as financially vulnerable can also get the service.

Visit the Vodafone UK website to sign up for Vodafone Essentials Broadband.

Alternatively, you can visit a Vodafone store or call the customer service team on 0333 304 0191.

Hyperoptic

Customers living in several of the UK's biggest cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow are able to take advantage of Hyperoptic's Fair Fibre plans.

The firm offers four social broadband tariffs priced between £15 and £28 a month and covering speeds between 50Mbs and 150Mbs.

The contracts are also set-up on a 30-day rolling basis which means you can cancel the contract more flexibility than other longer tariffs.

To be eligible you'll need to be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension credit (guarantee credit)
• Employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Income support
• Personal independence payments (PIP)
• Care leavers support

You can apply over the phone by calling 0333 920 9747 or email the firm at [email protected].

Do any other firms offer social tariffs?

A number of other smaller regions firms offer social broadband tariffs.

You'll have to check directly to see if your region is eligible.

The total amount you'll save will also vary depending on which provider you switch to.

Air Broadband Air Support

• £20 a month
• 100 Mbit/s speed

Community Fibre Essential

• £12.50 a minth
• 20 Mbit/s speed

Country Connect Social Tariff

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

G. Network Essential Fibre Broadband

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

Grayshott Gigabit Connect

• £20 a month
• 100 Mbit/s speed

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbit/s speed

Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150

• £20 a month
• 150 Mbit/s speed

KCOM

• £14.99 a month
• 30 Mbit/s speed

Lightning Fibre Social Tariff

• £15 a month
• 50 Mbits/s speed

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Lothian Broadband Social Tariff

• £19.99 a month
• 100 Mbits/s speed

WightFibre Essential Broadband

• £16.50 a month
• 100 Mbits/s speed

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