THOUSANDS of people receiving PIP can cut a common household bill by £250 a year with a quick call.
The benefit entitles claimants to a discount on their broadband costs.
Those on PIP can save up to £250 a year thanks to social broadband tariffs, according to Which?.
These tariffs are available to all households claiming certain benefits - and it's estimated that four million customers are missing out.
In August, The Sun called on the government, regulator Ofcom and suppliers to do more to support struggling customers.
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PIP is available for those aged 16 or over who have not reached the state pension age.
The benefit can be worth up to £156.90 a week, so it's worth checking if you can make a claim.
To qualify you have to have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months.
There should also be an expectation that these difficulties will continue for at least nine months - unless you’re terminally ill with less than six months to live.
And households on PIP can get access to cheaper social broadband tariffs offered by Vodafone, Hyperoptic and KCOM.
Monthly prices start at just £12 with Vodafone's social tariff.
Ofgem has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.
You'll have to check each energy firm to see how to apply - you'll often have to do this online or over the phone.
Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.
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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 support@hyperoptic.com.
KCOM
Flex is KCOM's social access package available in Hull & East Yorkshire (postcodes HU1 to HU17.
Customers can get 30Mbps full fibre broadband for just £14.99 a month on a 30 day rolling contract.
The Flex package is only available to customers who receive one or multiple of the following:
- Income support
- Pension credit
- Job seekers allowance
- Housing benefit
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Universal Credit with zero earnings
- Care leavers
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
You can apply for the social tariff on KCOM's website by entering your postcode and selecting your address.
Do any other firms offer social tariffs?
A number of other companies including BT, Sky and Virgin Media offer social.
But those on PIP aren't eligible - instead, you'll need to be in receipt of other benefits like Universal Credit.
Air Broadband Air Support
- £20 a month
- 100 Mbit/s speed
BT Home Essentials
- £15 a month
- Around 36 Mbit/s speed
BT Home Essentials 2
- £20 a month
- Around 67 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
Lightning Fibre Social Tariff
- £15 a month
- 50 Mbits/s speed
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- £19.99 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
NOW Broadband Basics
- £20 a month
- 36 Mbits/s speed
Sky Broadband Basics
- £20 a month
- 36 Mbits/s speed
Virgin Media Essential Broadband
- £12.50 a month
- 15 Mbits/s speed
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus
- £20 a month
- 54 Mbits/s speed
WightFibre Essential Broadband
- £16.50 a month
- 100 Mbits/s speed
How do I apply for PIP?
You can make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222.
There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.UK for more information.
When you claim, you'll need:
- Your contact details
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Bank or building society account number and sort code
- Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.
You'll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you'll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.
After this, you'll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.
You can read Citizens Advice’s help in preparing for an assessment on the charity's website.
