Changing to social tariff with BT - do Talktalk charge a fee for leaving in this case

[sambda]

Hi,

The query is in the title really.  I need financially to change to a social tariff as I am on benefits and can't afford the prices anymore.

My contract finishes in December, but I want to change now.  Some providers do not charge a leaving/early-exit fee if you are leaving for a social contract.  Does Talktalk?

[ferguson]

It isn't a social tariff as such, it is available to newly unemployed jobseekers for a period of 6 months. 

[sambda]

Thanks.  I'll chase it with the JCP, but as usual they've probably never heard of it.

[Gliwmaeden2]

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/providers/talktalk/ still mentions it, @sambda:

 

BUT an AI search result says it stopped in March this year [it just lasts 6 months anyway].

Worth asking about it just in case the AI result is wrong.

[sambda]

Fascinated to hear about the Talktalk/Jobcentre scheme.  I attend the Jobcentre but have never heard of it or been offered it.  Have you any more details, particularly vague cost pm?

(Ofcom's list of these tariffs - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs - doesn't mention it)

[Gliwmaeden2]

@sambda it was Ofcom that decided it was better to increase the fees annually by a fixed amount "to give people certainty" rather than fixing them to CPI inflation plus x%, but unless inflation sores like it did before, most people are worse off with the new system  - and most alternative ISPs use the new system. 

Great if you can find a social tariff [Talktalk's scheme is through Jobcentre Plus, but worth asking about] but no guarantee of Talktalk waiving early termination fees. You can but ask.

[ferguson]

Any "offers" whether by email, or even worse directly on My Account are generally not worth having.

I concur with @fr8ys that the best deals are always available by getting in touch directly, especially if you select the "thinking of leaving" option. But that does carry more weight as you near the end of your contract. 

[sambda]

Thanks.

TT have offered me an early renewal "offer" already.  This is:

Renew now from £25.00 per month

Increasing to £28.00 from April 2026, 

then to £31.00 from April 2027. 

24 month contract

I'm sorry, but those prices are way, way above inflation.  In just 2 years a price rise of £6?!?!? 

The BT deal is £16pm with guaranteed no price rises.  It's half the speed but I'll live with that.

I'll try TT tomorrow, but in the past I've found they only do proper deals when you actually start the leaving process - ones before that are just a sop.  If they won't let me leave free - which, as you say, legally they don't have to (morally is another matter) - I'll just have to hang in till December then go then.  I just wanted to avoid changing provider near Xmas.

[fr8ys]

There is no legal basis for TalkTalk to allow you to do so.

To be honest, your best bet is to phone and speak to the loyalty team, who may be able to vary your deal to fit your budget. They may not be able to, but they could then give you clarity around any charges that may apply if you move to BT.

If you wish to phone, Try phoning 0345 172 0088

Opening Hours can be found here - https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/How-to-contact-TalkTalk-Broadband/ta-p/2230529#

By the way staff there are unable to get involved in financial and renewal negotiations.

Good luck.,