Social tariff not available (according to Sly)

[Nataliesophie12]

Can anyone help please. Keep being told Social Tariff not available in my area.

Took out sky cinema not knowing that then re-Instated my contract now in contract til April. Trying to get my £117 bill lowered and happy to move now. I've fibre, broadband, tv and phone (which I don't have a home phone for.) 

Also posting another £57 for 4 SIM cards now my phone out of contract. 

[Nataliesophie12]

Also to add when I told them I was going to love to Virgin, they continued to tell me it piggybacked them both in fact Martin Lewis has just said they both piggy back o2. 
Appreciate any feedback. 

[Shirl65]

I have called sky twice to ask to be put on social tariff , but they say it's not in my area ? 
is this a thing I though you just had be on certain benefits ? 

[Daniel0210]

@Shirl65 @Nataliesophie12 

I'm not aware of it being based on area within the UK. 

This link explains the process if you’re eligible for Sky Broadband Basics.
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-social-tariff

The Sky account holder needs to be claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income based Jobseekers Allowance or Income based Employment Support Allowance. These are the only qualifying benefits and in order for Sky to carry out checks with DWP they will need your NI number. The social tariff is for Sky Broadband Superfast 35 with an average download speed of 36Mb/s and the Sky Talk Pay As You Go tariff (ie: all calls are chargeable). It does not offer a discounted Sky Talk plan.

Broadband Basics is only available to customers who already have Sky Broadband and to add the Sky Mobile offer, you’ll need to be taking Sky Broadband Basics, and:
a) Already have Sky Mobile and a 3GB data plan.
b) Or you can add a new 3GB data plan with Sky Mobile.
The linked Sky mobile deal is only for 12 months.

If you are eligible you’ll need to call Sky to join. There is no equivalent offer for TV. The broadband part of the social tariff now lasts for 24 months and then reverts to the full cost but if you’re still eligible you will then need to re-apply.

[Nataliesophie12]

@Shirl65  I was able to get a Social tariff today so always was available, like I had the feeling it was. I called them out on it. I  downgraded my existing package (as still needed a fast internet speed) and will now pay £101 per month including 5 sims from £180 per month. Look online at o2 packages to force them to match. Good luck. 

[Derry666999]

Well done! How did you contact them? Tried to call several times and keep getting directed to other things. Couldnt get through to a human. Im so frustrated I was promised this ages ago after many long conversations with an adviser. 

[caesarome]

@Derry666999 

Use the options sy the bottom of this link:

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-social-tariff

When asked any questions by the bot try saying nothing. Make sure you have your details include your national insurance number to hand.

[Derry666999]

Thank you for replying. I did get through on a number. He was nice but spoke very bad english unfortunately so had to spell each word out. After a long wait he said I am not eligible because of my broadband speed? Even though I qualify as on Pension Credit. Feels like a scam by Sky. Surprised? NO

[TimmyBGood]

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@Derry666999 wrote:

After a long wait he said I am not eligible because of my broadband speed? 

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The speed bands and broadband types which have Social Tariff pricing are listed on the page linked above.  A household currently receiving a higher speed would be moved to a downgraded product.

Full Fibre: Sky Full Fibre 75 with average download speeds of 75Mb/s;

or

Part Fibre: Sky Broadband Superfast 35 with average download speeds of 35Mb/s;

or

Copper: Sky Broadband Essential Plus with average download speeds of 11Mb/s, if fibre isn’t available where you live.

[Derry666999]

Thanks for reply but Im still not eligible and none of that explained by adviser. Its ridiculous to offer Social Tariff then not give it to me.

[Mark39]

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@Derry666999 wrote:

Thanks for reply but Im still not eligible and none of that explained by adviser. Its ridiculous to offer Social Tariff then not give it to me.

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Which broadband package do you have, then?

[Nataliesophie12]

Apologise I've just seen this and not yet read other comments. Don't be fobbed off as definitely available and isn't a regional requirement.  Don't understand how sky customer services can get away with the absolute rubbish they spout. I was told multiple times it wasn't available. Just once I knew i was entitled, I really pushed and someone did finally acknowledge I could (but wasn't any use with such slow speeds in my home.) Good luck. 

[Nataliesophie12]

Seems like you have done similar to me. Now got sky basic (freeview) tv but super speed and 5 sims on smaller gigs (2-8) and paying under £90. 

[Nataliesophie12]

Pick an option of wanting to upgrade your tv package (more staff working these type of phone lines of companies think they will be getting more money)  and ask to be put through to right person. 

[Nataliesophie12]

Try calling again. Took me a good few times.