Image source: House of Commons, CC BY 3.0
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has reached an agreement with Sky to support digital inclusion through making it easier for benefits claimants to obtain discounted broadband and mobile tariffs.
The company has become the first major connectivity provider to agree to automatic verification for the tariffs, saving people from having to repeatedly prove their benefit claim status.
DWP said this will make it easier for low income families to obtain discounted broadband, saving up to £180 a year compared with industry average prices.
Under the scheme, introduced last summer, internet service providers can – with claimant’s permission – ask DWP to automatically verify their entitlement. Before this people were regularly required to verify their entitlement with Jobcentre letters or screenshots of their universal credit account.
Sky and its subsidiary brand NOW have joined a list of smaller providers on the scheme.
Call to follow
Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies MP said: “It’s positive to see a major provider such as Sky sign up to our scheme, making it easier for families to access cheaper broadband and mobile tariffs in difficult times, and I call on other providers to follow suit in offering this type of tariff for those in need.
“Claimants who think they might be eligible for one of these tariffs, should contact their provider.
“This is just one of the ways we are working to help households during these tough times as part of the government’s £37 billion support package for those most in need.”
