Staying connected: support with free SIM cards and paying for broadband

How will this help you?

Through Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) and the National Databank, eligible residents can receive free mobile data, calls and texts via a free SIM Card from o2, Vodaphone or Three for 6 to 12 months. This will mean you can access the internet to use online services and stay connected with friends and family. To use these SIM cards residents will need access to a mobile phone handset. JRHT can help you to get a mobile phone if you need one.

When you have received a SIM card it is simple to activate by inserting it into a compatible phone. It is also possible to keep your current phone number, so you won’t lose all your contacts. You can do this by speaking to your current mobile phone provider.

Who is eligible and how to apply?

To receive data from the National Databank you must preferably meet their eligibility criteria. These are:

• Be 18 years of age or older 
• And be from a low income household 

You must also ideally match one or more of the following:

• Have no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
• Have no or insufficient access to the internet when not at home
• Cannot afford your current phone contract or pay as you go

To apply for a free SIM card, you must live in a home managed by JRHT.

Get free home Wi-fi with a Get Box

JRHT can now provide residents with a Get Box from Jangala, giving you free home Wi-Fi. Simply set up the device, connect it to mains power, insert a mobile data SIM, and it’s ready in a minute. Providing free home Wi-Fi to residents by connecting to mobile data. Get Box can support you if you are struggling to pay for broadband or mobile data bills. It is completely free and provides you with 25GB data per month to access online services.

The Get Box is available to all our communities and residents across York, Yorkshire and the Northeast.

Recipients of the device will ideally match at least one of the criteria below:

• Low-income households: residents living alone or single parents trying to support their children.
• Financial challenges: residents that are struggling to pay their broadband, mobile data bills or don’t currently have Wi-Fi at home.
• Isolation: if you feel socially isolated and need help to connect with friends and family. 
• Employability and education: if you are seeking better employment and education opportunities.
• Digitally excluded: residents that do not currently use online services.

To apply for a Get Box, you must live in a home managed by JRHT.

What are broadband social tariffs?

A social tariff is a discounted internet package offered by broadband providers and available for eligible low income customers and those in receipt of benefits. The tariffs are often cheaper than the standard rates offered by broadband providers.

How a social tariff can help you

• It's available to those receiving benefits. If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit or a similar benefit, you could switch to a social tariff. 
• They are cheaper than a standard broadband package. Prices usually range between £10 to £20 per month depending on the provider.
• Fast, unlimited broadband. Most tariffs offer superfast broadband so you can keep in touch with friends and family, stream HD films, and shop online. 
• You will pay minimal set up costs. If there are any setup costs, the provider should tell you before you sign up.
• Switching could cost nothing. Most providers that offer social tariffs allow you to switch to their tariff free of charge and at any time. If you are switching between providers there may be a cost to change over.
• Prices are fixed and won't go up mid-contract. The price won’t change for the duration of the contract once you have signed.
• You won’t be charged if you leave. There won’t be a fee to pay should you leave a tariff before the end of your contract.

Source – Ofcom

Who is eligible?

The criteria vary between broadband providers. We recommend speaking to the provider directly to ask if you’re eligible. Some providers will only offer a social tariff if you are in receipt of a means-tested state benefit or other types of benefits.

How to switch

There are some key steps and things to keep in mind when switching. First you need to find out which broadband providers offer a social tariff. You can do this by:

• Using broadband switching sites that have social tariffs (for example, Faster Broadband).
• Visit a provider’s website and find their social tariffs page.
• Get in touch with the provider directly via email or phone and ask if they offer social tariffs.

You can read further guidance from Which? on how to switch to a social tariff.

If you're an active jobseeker, TalkTalk are offering a no-contract voucher for 6 months of their Fibre35 broadband. Fibre35 broadband gives you unlimited data and has an average download speed of 38Mb. After 6 months, you can choose to roll onto a contract with TalkTalk or cancel with no extra costs or sign-up fees.

How to apply for free broadband

The scheme is a partnership between TalkTalk and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the DWP are responsible for determining eligibility.

To access the voucher, speak to your work coach or contact the relevant DWP helpline for the benefit you're claiming. If the DWP decide you're eligible, they'll give you a referral code. You can then call TalkTalk to redeem the code and get set up with free broadband.

You can read more about free broadband for jobseekers on TalkTalk's website.

Broadband Savvy is for anyone who wants to improve their digital connectivity and broadband knowledge and get the most out of their home internet.

They cut through the jargon, explain broadband concepts, and help you get faster download speeds, with free and friendly advice. They can help you get online for the lowest possible cost and explain how to fix issues with your Wi-Fi connection, helping you to save money on broadband.

If you would like to apply for a free SIM, free home Wi-Fi with a Get Box or want more information, contact Connor Lambert, Digital Inclusion Officer: connor.lambert@jrht.org.uk. Or contact the Customer Access Team on 0800 5870211.

You can also contact us through your My JRHT account.

If you would like support to switch to a social broadband provider or tariff, please contact the Money and Benefits Advice service at mba@jrht.org.uk or on 0800 5870211.

The advisers cannot recommend a particular provider or tariff, but they can assist you to carry out a switch. The advisers can also provide wider support with other money and benefits queries.