Why do people on PIP not qualify for a reduction on their broadband?

[Jmac70]

I'm questioning why people on PIP don't qualify for a reduction on their broadband.

[GD1 · Accepted solution]

@Jmac70  It is set by Ofcom, not Sky https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-...

[Jmac70]

I see other companies offer reduction on broadband,I need to phone sky and ask direct.

[Daniel0210]

@Jmac70 

Okay.

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. 

[TimmyBGood]

@Jmac70 

The social tariff scheme is voluntary on the part of the ISPs (they are 'encouraged' to participate by Ofcom) and so each ISP gets to choose which benefits qualify.  Originally UC was the basic qualifying benefit: most providers have now extended this to some (but not all) of the others.

Ofcom put it like this:

Who could qualify

If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available.

All major providers also include people on Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.

Some providers might include additional benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.

[VStorey]

Other providers take PIP into account for their social broadbank package. Sky should to. 

[Laing1]

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@VStorey wrote:

Other providers take PIP into account for their social broadbank package. Sky should to. 

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@VStorey only means tested benefits are eligible for the social tariff, PIP is not a mean tested benefit so many people who are not on a low income can claim PIP.

[Tiggy46]

I don't believe eligibility to PIP is means-tested, and therefore those in receipt may not be financially disadvantaged.

My understanding of the social tariff is that it is designed to assist those people who might otherwise struggle financially to afford broadband.

Thus doesn't automatically apply to all people in receipt of PIP.

[Tiggy46]

@Laing1  Apologies for reiterating your post, I was busy composing whilst yours went live!

[Laing1]

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@Tiggy46 wrote:

@Laing1  Apologies for reiterating your post, I was busy composing whilst yours went live!

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@Tiggy46 no need to apologies, just shows we both thought of the same reply at similiar times and have a knowledge of benefits 😀

[VStorey]

PIP claimants qualify for Vodafone's social tariff. 

[Tiggy46]

@VStorey I see your Vodafone, and raise you EE and Virgin who don't....

[VStorey]

Yes, that's right. Sky don't accept PIP qualifications for their social tariff and Vodafone do. 

[Tiggy46]

@VStorey .... and Virgin don't,  EE don't, BT don't, Plusnet don't. Vodafone seem very much to be in the minority.

[VStorey]

That's right. Vodafone are offering more than sky, which people coming into a Sky forum would want to know about.