
Contract-free UK mobile network operator VOXI, a brand of Vodafone (VodafoneThree), has today expanded their cheaper £10 VOXI For Now “social tariff”. Previously only available online via their website, the tariff will now also be offered as a physical SIM through local councils and housing teams, support charities, and prison resettlement programmes.
The tariff itself offers unlimited 5G or 4G data (mobile broadband), calls and texts for just £10 a month to anyone receiving benefits (not just the under 25s). But this only lasts for up to 6 months and after that they’ll switch you over to their standard £10 a month plan (20GB of data), where you’ll still have access to “Endless” Social Media as well as “Endless” calls, texts and the flexibility to change, pause, or cancel at any time.
Vodafone’s charity partner, the Good Things Foundation, will also distribute the SIMs through a selection of its community hubs as part of a new pilot.
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Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree, said:
“Social tariffs play a vital role in ensuring that everyone can access the opportunities that connectivity enables, but too many people either don’t know they exist or face barriers to accessing them. By making VOXI For Now available through trusted local partners as a physical SIM, we’re bringing affordable connectivity directly into communities – helping people get online quickly and simply when they need to.”
Minister for Digital Economy, Liz Lloyd, said:
“Being connected is crucial for finding work, accessing essential services, and staying in touch with family and friends. That’s why efforts like VOXI’s expansion of its social tariff are so important. Making affordable connectivity easier to access helps break down barriers and ensure more people can get connected when it matters most.”
To get VOXI For Now, you need to be receiving one of the following government benefits: Jobseeker’s allowance, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability allowance, Personal independence payment or Pension Credit (‘Verification Evidence’).
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I find it unusual that they only give you a tariff as a one-off that you cannot extend after 6 months. Other companies like BT and Virgin do offer an option to re-verify that you’re still eligible, and extend your tariff for another 12 months
That maybe because their normal tariff is as good as other’s social tariffs.
When I was on the dole, I have thought about this offer but as I was already on their Uswitch promotional 80GB £10 plan, they will reverse back to the basic 20GB £10 plan after the 6 months on their poverty tariff. Even though I definitely really used nearly 80GB, Facebook is unlimited and VOXI data meter is anti dodgy so I used 60 excluding unlimited apps and it will say I’ve used 10. Oddly for me at the time, I was better off on my current plan, if VOXI unlimited poor people’s plan lasted during their whole eligibility requirements period (like BT social tariff “reviewing” every 12 months to continue plan) then I would probably switched.
Tip for the poor folks on VOXI. Pretend to “leave” by saying leave on their website then one the “please don’t go” popups, press leave anyway again then it will display a 40GB plan for £8 a month. It may say whatever GB for £10nfirst but press leave then it will definitely show that last one.
So ordinary people get ripped off once again. These people on benefits are better off than the average working person
Universal Credit will still pay you if you’re in work but you have additional responsibilities, like if you’re liable for rent, childcare, or are a carer for someone with disability. So it’s entirely possible that you could be working and still qualify for a social tariff.