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Better Off Calculator: See what support you can get
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Life can get expensive, and sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to. Use the Better Off Calculator to quickly see if you could receive extra help and give your household income a boost
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 19 September 2025
What is the Better Off Calculator?
The Better Off Calculator is a free online tool that helps you quickly check if you’re entitled to extra financial support.
Every year, billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed, often because people assume they’re not eligible. In fact, research from Policy in Practice shows that around £24 billion in benefits goes unclaimed every year. A big reason is that many think they won’t qualify if they’re working. Almost 40% of all Universal Credit claimants are in employment, so you could still be entitled to additional support even if you’re working.
All you need to do is enter a few basic details about your income, household, and living situation, and the calculator will show you how much better off you could be.
How can I use the Better Off Calculator?
The Better Off Calculator makes it quick and simple to check. In just 30 seconds, you’ll see what financial help you may be eligible for and take that first step toward boosting your household income.
Here’s how it works:
Enter some basic information about your household, income, and living situation.
The calculator will show you which benefits or schemes you may qualify for.
Get clear next steps with guidance and links to apply.
For a more accurate estimate, we recommend completing a full benefit calculation, which takes around 10 minutes.
Could you be better off? See what you could claim.
Extra ways to save on your broadband
Beyond checking your eligibility for benefits and other financial support, there are plenty of other ways to make your money go further. Whether you’re a student, retired, part of a busy family, or managing on a lower income, here are some tips:
As a student, managing money is often as important as managing your studies. Take advantage of our student broadband deals, designed with flexibility in mind, so you only pay for what you need during term time.
You can enjoy fast, reliable WiFi that keeps up with your assessments and downtime alike. These deals are only available for students with a university ‘ac.uk’ email address. For anyone else looking for flexible-contract broadband, we’ve got a range of rolling contract options that are available all-year round, not just students.
Retirement should be about enjoying life, not worrying about high bills. We offer broadband deals for pensioners, perfect for staying in touch with family, watching TV shows, or browsing the web.
Some of our most popular packages for pensioners are:
M125 fibre broadband: a simple, no-frills package with download speeds up to 150 Mbps at a budget-friendly price. Ideal for essentials like email, online banking, and browsing the web.
Broadband and landline combine reliable internet and phone in one convenient plan.
Broadband and TV: If you enjoy watching some telly, these bundles combine superfast broadband with all your favourite channels.
Broadband, TV, and phone packages: Enjoy superfast broadband, Mega TV box, and home phones together in a single package for ultimate convenience.
If you’re on Pension Credit, you may qualify for social tariff broadband, which offers lower monthly costs on flexible 30-day rolling contracts.
Busy households need broadband that can handle it all. From home working and school projects to family streaming and gaming. By comparing bundles, families can find the best value across broadband, TV, and entertainment, making it easier to keep the whole household happy while still saving money.
We offer a range of bundles designed to keep the entire family connected while helping you save money, combining O2 mobile plans for extra data and superfast speeds. Our broadband and TV bundles also include kids’ channels and Netflix, so everyone has something to enjoy.
Explore our broadband packages to find the perfect bundle for your household, and start saving on broadband, TV, and mobile today.
If you’re on a tight budget, every saving matters, and staying connected shouldn’t come at the expense of other essentials.
Starting from just £12.50 a month, our social tariff broadband is designed to keep you online for less. All plans come with a 30-day rolling contract, free setup (except Flex), and no exit fees, giving you the flexibility to manage your household budget.
This ensures that essential services like online banking, job applications, and schoolwork are always accessible, without putting extra strain on your finances. You may be eligible if you’re receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and other benefits.
How Virgin Media is helping you and your household
We know times can be tough, and you don’t have to manage alone. The Better Off Calculator is a quick way to check if you’re entitled to extra financial support. At Virgin Media, we will continue offering a range of broadband options to suit every household and budget.
From essential broadband plans, bundled packages, to discounted tariffs and flexible plans, we’re here to help you connect at an affordable price.
Try the Better Off Calculator today and take the first step toward boosting your household income.
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Better Off Calculator: The link provided will direct you to a third-party website operated by Policy in Practice. Please be aware that VMO2 is not responsible for the nature, content, availability of services, privacy practices, or terms and conditions of the linked site. We encourage you to review the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service of Policy in Practice before engaging with their services.
If you need help completing the form, please contact Policy in Practice, details can be found at the bottom of the form.
