Cant get social tarrif

[graysoens]

7When I rang sky I was told I'm not entitled to the social fund because I'm not on universl credit ithought that if I was on pip and employment  and support i thought would qualify I've just had a stroke and can't get round like I used to

[cookiemonsteruk]

@graysoens 

It does need to be Universal credit or pension credit to qualify for social tariff unfortunately

[GD1]

@graysoens  The eligibility criteria is listed here https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-social-tariff

[Daniel0210]

@graysoens 
The Sky account holder needs to be claiming Universal Credit or Pension Credit. These are the qualifying benefits because they permit computerised checks by Sky and other external organisations to prove eligibility so Sky would require the relevant NI number so they can check. 

[Chrisee]

@graysoens unfortunately Sky have limited their Social Tariff to UC and PC which disadvantages long term disabled people who are still on income Based ESA due to the DWPs inefficency. I used to work in the Advice sector so understand the benefits system and I raised this basic unfairness directly with a Sky contact who tells me that it is due to the way Sky can check if customers qualify by using a specific interfacecwith the DWPs computer system which is limited tomthose 2 benefits.

Given other providers including BT do include ESA claimants I do not accept that excuse as there are ways round the issue. I do not expect Sky to suddenly change policy but I consider it very poor for a company that boasts of its social awareness to ignore some of their customers in greatest need.

[TimmyBGood]

@graysoens 

Offering a social tariff is voluntary: ISPs are being 'encouraged' to do so by Ofcom (effectively acting on behalf of government), but it's not mandatory and so each ISP can set its own qualifying criteria.  

As @Chrisee indicates, Sky may be susceptible to external pressure, particularly as some of their competitor ISPs currently appear to be more generous.