A Care Leaver is someone who has left foster or local authority care, and Care Leaver’s Support is financial aid that is given to care leavers in order to help them adjust to independent life. Care leavers support is available to care leavers once they turn 18 and are no longer in care and can be used for education and other things.
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What is a Social Broadband Tariff?
A social tariff is a price plan that is available exclusively for those who are on a low income or receive certain state benefits. A social broadband tariff will allow people on benefits to gain access to an exclusive price plan that is far cheaper than a conventional one. There are several broadband providers who offer a social tariff, as it’s important that even people on lower incomes are able to have access to the internet for information and entertainment purposes.
Social broadband tariffs for people who are on Care Leaver’s Support
If you receive a financial support package from your local authority because you have previously left care, then you will be able to benefit form a social broadband tariff. We recommend checking the individual providers yourself, but at the time of writing the following boroadband providers will offer a reduced-cost package for anyone who claims care leaver’s support:
- Grayshott Gigabit
- KCOM
- Hyperoptic
Grayshott Gigabit social broadband tariff
Grayshott Gigabit is a small but mighty full fibre broadband provider, offering speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps. Their service is currently only available in a small pocket within the UK though – namely within East Hampshire or Surrey Hills. However if you live within that area and are in receipt of benefits then you may be entitled to sign up to the Grayshott Gigabit social broadband tariff to get your internet connectivity that bit cheaper.
Their social broadband tariff is simply known as ‘Connect’, and offers ultrafast speeds of 100Mbps for just £22 per month. They promise to keep this price the same for as long as their customers receive financial support. So if it’s financial security that you’re after with your broadband plan then you need look no further than Grayshott Gigabit. In order to benefit from this social broadband tariff you will need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit with zero earnings
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Care Home residents and lifeline customers who are referred by Social Services
- Care Leavers
- Employment and Support Allowance (EAS)]
So if you claim one of the above benefits, including Care Leaver’s Allowance then you are entitled to the Connect social broadband tariff offered by Grayshott Gigabit. For more information on how to prove your entitlement and sign up to the Connect package, all you need to do is visit their website.
KCOM social broadband tariff
If you want award-winning, simple, superfast broadband that is also affordable, then look no further than KCOM. Based in Hull and East Yorkshire, they offer fast, unlimited broadband that is complemented by local 24/7 customer support.
KCOM’s social tariff is called Flex. It offers 30Mbps Lightstream Full Fibre broadband for just £14.99 per month, and on a 30-day rolling contract. This means that you’ll get great speeds at a great price without the financial commitment of a 12-month or longer contract.
In order to benefit from the KCOM Full Fibre Flex package, you will need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- Housing Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Care home residents and Lifeline customers who are referred to us via Social Services
- Care Leavers
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
To apply for the social broadband tariff from KCOM, simply click on the package on this page. From there you will be able to contact KCOM directly and provider them with proof that you are in receipt of Care Leaver’s Support or any other of the above benefits.
Hyperoptic social broadband tariff
Hyperoptic are one of the UK’s fastest fibre broadband providers. They are more widely available than other great providers like KCOM. And they offer unlimited downloads and uploads with all of their packages.
In terms of social tariffs, Hyperoptic offer two different packages for those who are on Universal Credit or other benefits such as Care Leaver’s Support. The plans are called Fair Fibre 50 and Fair Fibre 150, offering speeds of 50Mbps and 150Mbps respectively. Fair Fibre 50 costs just £15 per month, and Fair Fibre 150 costs £25 per month. When you sign up to one of Hyperoptic’s social broadband tariffs you won’t need to sign up to a lengthy contract and you are eligible if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Housing Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Care Leavers Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you claim any of the above benefits, which includes Care Leaver’s Support then you are eligible for one of the Hyperoptic social broadband tariffs. All you need to do is sign up to one of the Hyperoptic social broadband tariffs on this page. You can then provide them with proof of any bursary or grant that you have received from your local authority for education since leaving care.