Virgin Media social tariff broadband deal just got easier to claim
More people can now opt for Virgin Media social tariff broadband as it makes it more accessible


Get the best money-saving tips, tricks and deals sent straight to your inbox every week. Make sense of your money in partnership with The Money Edit.
Thank you for signing up to The Money Edit. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
If you claim benefits, it’s worth checking if you can get a cheaper broadband deal with a Virgin Media social tariff as it changes the rules for claimants.
With most broadband providers hiking prices from April, you will want to be on the lookout for the best broadband deals and SIM-only deals.
Those who claim benefits can take advantage of broadband help packages which come at a discounted price, and the good news is Virgin Media has extended the eligibility for its social tariff to more people. We have the full details.
Can I get a Virgin Media social tariff?
Virgin Media’s social tariff was only available to those on Universal Credit, but this changed on 1 March. Now you can get the social tariff if you claim one of the following:
- Pension credit
- Income support
- Income-based employment support allowance (ESA)
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
What Virgin Media social tariffs are available?
Virgin Media offers two social tariffs at different prices.
For £12.50 per month, you can get their ‘Essential broadband’ plan which gives speeds of 12Mb, or you can opt for their 'Essential broadband plus' plan for £20 per month which gives speeds of 54Mb.
New and existing Virgin Media customers can opt for the social tariff.
How does Virgin Media’s social tariff compare to others?
Virgin’s social tariff is one of the cheapest available.
SMARTY (sub-brand of Three) and Vodafone offer faster speeds for less, SMARTY offers an average speed of 30.7Mbps and Vodafone offers 38Mbps - both for £12 per month.
But you don’t need a landline to get Virgin Media and you can avoid any line rental charges.
Social tariffs offer speeds up to 150Mbps, but the price also rises with it.
See our full table of social tariff offerings, how much they cost per month, their speeds and eligibility.
If you aren’t eligible for a social tariff, see if you can haggle for a better deal with your broadband provider.
Related articles
Look After My Bills Newsletter
Get the best money-saving tips, tricks and deals sent straight to your inbox every week. Make sense of your money in partnership with The Money Edit.

Vaishali graduated in journalism from Leeds University. She has gained experience writing local stories around Leeds and Leicester, which includes writing for a university publication and Leicester Mercury.
She has also done some marketing and copywriting for businesses.
When she is not writing about personal finance, Vaishali likes to travel and she's a foodie.
-
-
Octopus Energy relaunches energy tracker deal – we explain what you need to know and if it could save you money
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer, you may be able to save on your energy bills with the relaunch of its tracker deal. We look at how it works
By Sue Hayward Published
-
Three energy firms pay £8m in switching compensation - has your provider paid out?
More than 100,000 customers have received compensation after changing providers, but is now a good time to switch energy suppliers?
By Tom Higgins Published
-
Octopus Energy relaunches energy tracker deal – we explain what you need to know and if it could save you money
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer, you may be able to save on your energy bills with the relaunch of its tracker deal. We look at how it works
By Sue Hayward Published
-
Three energy firms pay £8m in switching compensation - has your provider paid out?
More than 100,000 customers have received compensation after changing providers, but is now a good time to switch energy suppliers?
By Tom Higgins Published
-
HMRC tax credit renewal packs: act quickly to avoid losing benefit payments
Households receiving tax credits will be asked to confirm their details to ensure they continue to receive their entitlement. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you don’t miss out on up to £3,480 a year
By Tom Higgins Published
-
Mobile provider rewards: how to earn up to £700
Your phone could be the key to unlocking hundreds of pounds worth of discounts and freebies that you don’t even know about. We reveal which mobile providers offer the best rewards
By Vaishali Varu Published
-
How much do cooking appliances cost to run?
Energy-saving cooking tips from the Energy Saving Trust
By Katie Binns Published
-
Virgin Media leaves thousands without broadband: are customers entitled to compensation?
Tens of thousands of Virgin Media customers were hit by broadband outages yesterday. We explain your rights if your broadband goes down
By Katie Binns Published
-
Broadband switching service delayed - how it will eventually work and why it’s crucial to switch
A broadband switching service designed to make it easier to change to a cheaper or faster deal has been delayed. We explain how you can still avoid huge increases to your monthly internet bill
By Katie Binns Published
-
Heat pumps: why you can claim a £5,000 government grant for longer
Why you now have more time to apply for a government grant towards getting a heat pump in your home
By Sue Hayward Published