Major phone network launches £12 social tariff for unlimited data, calls and texts

Mobile phone company Three has launched a new social tariff to help those struggling the most with the cost of living crisis.

Social tariffs are special discounted deals available for certain low-income customers.

The Three deal, available through its sub-brand Smarty, is being offered as a flexible one-month rolling plan which can be changed or cancelled at any time which Three says will help give customers struggling "complete control".

The social tariff costs £12 a month and offers unlimited data, calls and texts, and "superfast" 5G.

Three estimates more than 4.2 million households across the UK could be eligible, however, those who can get this deal will need to be claiming some kind of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit.

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Three's social tariff will be available to anyone in receipt of a range of benefits which include:

• Income based employment support
• Income based job seekers
• Income support
• Pension credit
• Universal credit

Elaine Carey, Three’s chief commercial officer said “With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to put financial pressure on many of our customers, Three is committed to playing its part in the solution.

"More than ever, people are in need of support and that should include access to affordable connectivity without restrictions.

“I am delighted that we are launching this tariff today, offering low-cost access to our network for the customers who need it most.”

Three is not the only telecoms company to launch a social tariff, several others offer a deal for those on low incomes.

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Social tariffs are being offered by BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone, YouFibre, Now, and Lothian just to name a few.

The eligibility criteria does vary between the different companies and you can find out what it is on their website.

Last year the government encouraged operators to raise awareness of lower-cost social tariffs to customers amid the cost of living crisis.

At the time, the Government believed that only 1.2% of those eligible were using the ‘social tariff’ scheme.

Following that nudge, the Government launched a scheme to allow broadband and mobile providers to check on the benefit eligibility of their customers with the DWP.

The idea of the scheme being they should get in touch with their customers and advise them they could be paying less.

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