The cheaper broadband and water tariffs many households on benefits never hear about

Broadband and water are bills almost nobody can do without, and both industries offer cheaper deals to households on a low income. The deals are real, the switch is usually simple, and yet most people who could use them never do.

Ofcom's 2026 pricing report found that 532,000 households were on a broadband or mobile social tariff in June 2025. That is only about 8.6% of the households estimated to be eligible, and 70% of eligible households said they had not heard of them. Water companies run similar schemes of their own. This guide explains who qualifies and how to ask.

What a broadband social tariff is

A social tariff is a cheaper broadband or phone package for people on certain benefits. Some providers call it "essential" or "basic" broadband. It uses the same network as the provider's ordinary packages, just at a lower price. Ofcom's list, last updated on 2 October 2026, shows prices from £10 to £24 a month, and most of the tariffs offer superfast speeds of over 30 Mbit/s.

Who qualifies

Universal Credit is the main qualifying benefit: anyone in a household claiming it can switch to any available tariff. All the major providers also include Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support. Some go further and accept Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance. In each case the person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract. Rules differ between providers, so check the one you are interested in.

Switching is cheaper than people expect

Ofcom sets out several points that remove the usual worries:

• Moving to your current provider's social tariff is free and can be done at any time.
• You will not pay a fee for leaving your existing contract early to do so.
• Any set-up costs should be small, and the provider should tell you before you sign up.
• If your current provider does not offer a social tariff, it may let you leave your contract without a penalty.

Water: every company has a scheme

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) says every water company runs a social tariff to reduce bills for people on a low income, but eligibility and the level of help vary by company. Some cap the annual bill, some give a percentage discount and some set a fixed charge. A few have specific help for pensioners on Pension Credit.

Source: CCW, Help with bills. Eligibility tests, usually based on household income or benefits, are set by each company.

WaterSure for metered households with high use

WaterSure caps the bills of metered households that are struggling to pay and use a lot of water for reasons they cannot control. CCW says you qualify if you are on a water meter, you or someone in your home receives Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit, and either you receive Child Benefit for three or more children under 19 living with you, or someone uses extra water because of a medical condition such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, incontinence, a stoma or home dialysis. Garden sprinklers and swimming pools do not count. In Wales, the two water companies run similar voluntary schemes.

The UK government announced in February 2026 that it will widen WaterSure and increase the support it gives. CCW expects the changes in 2027; the new rules have not been published yet, so the current conditions still apply.

Other ways to lower a water bill

Water companies can also offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment plans, and in some cases a payment break for short-term difficulty. CCW's meter calculator shows whether a meter could lower your bill. If you live alone and your company cannot fit a meter, it must offer a fixed single-occupier charge instead.

Who this matters for, and what to check

Anyone receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA or Income Support should check both bills. People who help an older parent with their finances often find these tariffs have been missed for years. The same households may also be due the £150 explained in our Warm Home Discount guide, and a single adult may be paying more Council Tax than necessary, as our Council Tax article sets out. Carers can find more in our Carer's Allowance guide.

1. Find Ofcom's social tariff list and see which providers cover your address.
2. Call your current broadband provider first and ask whether it has a social tariff and what it costs.
3. Look up your water company's help page, or use CCW's guide, to see which scheme fits.

The takeaway

Social tariffs are not a special favour; they are standard products offered to anyone who meets the rules. If you receive a qualifying benefit, a phone call to your broadband provider and a look at your water company's help page are worth the time. Neither Ofcom nor CCW charges for advice.