Mobile social tariffs: which cheaper plans can you get?
Short answer
Ofcom lists three mobile social tariffs: O2's Essential Plan and VOXI For Now at £10 a month, and SMARTY's Social Tariff at £12. They are for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and similar benefits. O2 and SMARTY say their plans have no long-term contract and no annual price rises.
Updated
£10 to £12
A month for the mobile social tariffs Ofcom lists
30 days
How long a PAC code to keep your number lasts
A mobile social tariff is a cheaper SIM-only plan for people on certain benefits. Ofcom lists three, and each provider sets its own allowance and checks.
Mobile social tariffs compared
| Tariff | Price and allowance | Contract and checks |
|---|---|---|
| O2 Essential Plan | £10 a month for up to 10GB of data, with unlimited UK minutes and texts | No long-term contract and no price rises, O2 says. It checks your benefit with the Department for Work and Pensions. |
| SMARTY Social Tariff | £12 a month for unlimited data, with unlimited UK calls and texts | A rolling one-month plan with no annual price rises. SMARTY rechecks eligibility at least once every 12 months. |
| VOXI For Now | £10 a month, with 5G where available | Listed on Ofcom's social tariff page. Check VOXI's own eligibility rules before you apply. |
Which mobile social tariffs are available?
The table comes from Ofcom's social tariff list and the providers' own pages, read on 13 October 2026.
- Ofcom's social tariff list, last updated on 2 October 2026, includes three mobile tariffs: O2 Essential Plan and VOXI For Now at £10 a month, and SMARTY Social Tariff at £12.
- O2's Essential Plan gives up to 10GB of data with unlimited UK minutes and texts. O2 says there are no long-term contracts and you can cancel at any time without being charged.
- SMARTY's Social Tariff gives unlimited data with unlimited UK calls and texts, on a rolling one-month term you can stop by turning off auto renew.
Sources: Ofcom: social tariffs (read 13 October 2026); O2: Essential Plan (read 13 October 2026); SMARTY: Social Tariff (read 13 October 2026)
Who qualifies for a mobile social tariff?
- O2 accepts Universal Credit, the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
- SMARTY accepts income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
- O2 says you can apply for one Essential Plan if you are the account holder receiving one of those payments.
Sources: O2: Essential Plan (read 13 October 2026); SMARTY: Social Tariff (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: social tariffs (read 13 October 2026)
How do you apply for a mobile social tariff?
- 1
Check which benefit you claim
Match it against the provider's list. O2 and SMARTY accept only the income-based versions of Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
- 2
Choose a plan that fits your data use
Compare each plan's data allowance with what your current bill shows you use.
- 3
Apply to the provider
O2 customers can use live chat or call 202 from an O2 phone, and new O2 customers call 03448 090 202. SMARTY has an online form.
- 4
Pass the benefit check
O2 and SMARTY check your benefit with the Department for Work and Pensions using the details you give them.
- 5
Keep your number
Text PAC to 65075 for a code to move your number. Ofcom says the code is valid for 30 days.
Sources: O2: Essential Plan (read 13 October 2026); SMARTY: Social Tariff (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: switching mobile phone provider (read 13 October 2026)
Can you switch to a mobile social tariff mid-contract?
- Ofcom says that if your provider offers a social tariff, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge.
- Moving to another network's social tariff while in contract can mean an early termination charge. Ofcom says your current provider must send you important information when you switch, such as any early termination charges.
- If your provider has no social tariff of its own, Ofcom says it might let you leave without a penalty fee, so ask before you switch.
Sources: Ofcom: social tariffs (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: switching mobile phone provider (read 13 October 2026)
What happens to a mobile social tariff when you move home?
- Check the network's signal at your new address. Ofcom says to check what service your provider can offer there, using its coverage checker or by asking the provider.
- If your provider can't offer the service you need at the new address, Ofcom suggests asking how much it would cost to cancel. It says not all companies would charge an early termination charge in that case.
- Ofcom's coverage checker shows predicted coverage, which may not always match what you get on the ground, so test the signal where you will use your phone most.
Sources: Ofcom: mobile phone service faults and problems (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: improving your mobile phone reception (read 13 October 2026)
Do mobile social tariffs go up in price?
- Ofcom says the price of a social tariff won't go up mid-contract.
- O2 says its Essential Plan has no price rises, and SMARTY says it will not do annual price rises on its Social Tariff.
- If you stop qualifying, SMARTY says it will move you to another plan that costs no more than the Social Tariff.
Sources: Ofcom: social tariffs (read 13 October 2026); O2: Essential Plan (read 13 October 2026); SMARTY: Social Tariff (read 13 October 2026)
Mobile social tariff questions
Is there a social tariff for mobile phones?
Yes. Ofcom's list includes O2's Essential Plan and VOXI For Now at £10 a month, and SMARTY's Social Tariff at £12. They are SIM-only plans for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit or similar benefits, and each provider checks eligibility itself.
How much data do you get on a mobile social tariff?
O2's Essential Plan includes up to 10GB of data with unlimited UK minutes and texts. SMARTY's Social Tariff includes unlimited data, calls and texts. Check VOXI's own page for its current allowance before you apply, as Ofcom's list does not show it.
Can I keep my number on a mobile social tariff?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your current phone to get a switching code, which Ofcom says is valid for 30 days. Give it to your new provider, which Ofcom says must complete the switch within one working day.
Can I switch to a mobile social tariff during my contract?
If your own provider has one, Ofcom says you can switch to it at any time, free of charge. Moving to another network's social tariff can mean an early termination charge, and Ofcom says your current provider must tell you about any such charge.
What happens if I stop getting the benefit?
Providers check eligibility again. SMARTY says it checks at least once every 12 months and moves you to a plan costing no more than the Social Tariff if you no longer qualify. Ask any provider how it handles this before you sign up.
More ways to cut a mobile bill
If you do not qualify, these guides cover the other routes to a lower price.
Check what you pay for mobile now
Taupia is free. It monitors your mobile and broadband bills, compares deals and only switches once you approve. It cannot promise a saving.