BROADBAND BASICS

[egg+01]

will broadband basics be opened up to include recipients of income based ESA?

[Daniel0210]

@egg+01 
This link explains the process if you’re eligible for Sky Broadband Basics which is low speed only. It’s not applicable to any TV subscription.
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-social-tariff
The Sky account holder needs to be claiming Universal Credit or Pension Credit to qualify for it. Sky would require the relevant NI number so they can check. It is only available to customers who already have Sky Broadband. If you are eligible you’ll need to call Sky to join.

[TimmyBGood]

@egg+01 

Universal Credit and Pension Credit are the qualifying benefits because they permit computerised lookup by companies and other external organisations to prove eligibility.

[egg+01]

I have read that from this week a new tool has been made available to isps by the government, which Will include ESA 

[TimmyBGood]

@egg+01 

Then presumably it's up to individual ISPs as to how they proceed: the whole scheme is voluntary (although Ofcom 'strongly encourages' ISPs to participate).