Anyone on pension credit urged to claim O2 discounted deals | Personal Finance | Finance
Pensioners across the UK are being urged to check if they qualify for discounted broadband and mobile tariffs. It comes as new research from Virgin Media O2 reveals that a third have felt more isolated or lonely in the past year, and the vast majority are worried about the rising cost of living.
Despite digital connectivity proving a vital lifeline, helping over two-thirds of pensioners feel less lonely and more connected, almost half remain unaware of special social tariffs that could save them significant money on their bills. Virgin Media O2 is calling on eligible pensioners, particularly those receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or other Government benefits, to take advantage of its Essential Services, which offer broadband and mobile deals starting from just £10 a month. Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Anyone who is receiving Pension Credit or a range of additional benefits can access our cut-price tariffs, offering broadband and mobile services starting from as little as £10.
“We want to raise awareness of our support for people experiencing financial difficulties, helping to combat loneliness and keep the nation connected.”
The company’s research highlights the impact of financial pressures on senior members of society. As much as 46% of pensioners say the cost of living has left them feeling more isolated, and nearly half report they can no longer afford to socialise as often as they used to.
Many are visiting loved ones less due to travel costs, and nearly a third feel anxious in social situations because of money worries.
With in-person socialising limited, reliable internet access is increasingly important for pensioners, as it enables them to message friends and family, keep up with current affairs, and shop online.
The survey, carried out on 1,020 members of the UK public between May 29 and 30, found that 62% believe digital technology helps them stay independent, and many worry about missing emergency contacts, family updates, or online healthcare if they lose connectivity.
Despite this, 48% of pensioners are unaware that discounted broadband and mobile deals are available to those on certain benefits.
Virgin Media O2’s Essential Broadband offers speeds of 15Mbps for £12.50 a month or 54Mbps for £20 a month, while the O2 Essential Plan provides 10GB of data plus unlimited calls and texts from £10 a month.
All plans are on 30-day rolling contracts, with no activation or exit fees, and prices are fixed while customers receive benefits.
For pensioners unsure how to switch to a cheaper tariff, Virgin Media O2 offers a simple three-step process. Firstly, contact the company. You can start a live chat on the O2 website, or for broadband tariffs, start a live chat on the Virgin Media website.
You’ll then be asked to provide details for an eligibility check. If eligible, Virgin Media O2 will connect you with no setup cost.
Virgin Media O2 also supports financially vulnerable customers through initiatives like the National Databank, which provides free O2 mobile data, texts, and calls, and the Community Calling scheme, which has rehomed 20,000 smartphones to people in need across the UK.
These efforts form part of the company’s goal to connect one million digitally excluded people through free and affordable connectivity.
