UK pensioners aged 75 and over can eliminate their £174.50 annual BBC TV Licence fee by applying for Pension Credit
A photo of BBC TV licence letters(Image: Getty)
Elderly state pensioners in the UK can reduce their TV Licence fee to £0 in just 16 minutes, provided they meet specific criteria.
At present, a TV Licence costs £174.50 annually (or £58.50 for a black and white TV set), following a £5 increase in April this year, adding an additional 42p to monthly household expenses.
A TV Licence is required to watch or record programmes on any device, including computers and TVs, across all channels and services as they are broadcast – this includes on-demand BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.
The UK government has determined that the TV Licence fee will rise in line with inflation from April 1, 2024, for the remaining four years of the Charter period, which concludes at the end of 2027.
This means households face at least two more years of price increases in April.
However, for older state pensioners aged 75 and over, who are on a low income, it’s possible to eliminate the TV Licence fee entirely by claiming one DWP benefit: Pension Credit.
Pension Credit provides additional funds to individuals over State Pension age who are on a low income, and is worth more than £3,900 per year on average, according to government figures, reports the Express.
This benefit boosts your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner. Moreover, it also grants access to other financial support – including a free TV Licence.
Pension Credit serves as a key to unlocking a range of additional financial assistance for pensioners, including access to benefits such as Housing Benefit, Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax reduction, aid with NHS dental treatment, eyewear and travel expenses, and a complimentary TV Licence for those aged 75 or over.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that the application process takes an average of just 16 minutes, and by applying, you could gain access to thousands of pounds in extra financial support.
If you’re already receiving Pension Credit, you can apply for a free TV Licence when you turn 74. However, you’ll need to continue paying for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
After this point, your free licence will cover you.
For those who don’t qualify for Pension Credit, there are alternative methods to decrease your TV Licence fee, or even avoid it entirely.
TV Licensing advises that if you no longer watch live television on any channel, TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer, you should cancel your TV Licence. Therefore, if you fit into this category, you can terminate your licence and may be eligible for a refund if, prior to your licence’s expiration, you won’t be engaging in any of the following activities:.
This encompasses recording and downloading programmes on any device.
However, if you still require a TV Licence, there are alternative methods to decrease the expense. If you reside in a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, you may be eligible for a reduced fee TV Licence.
Furthermore, if you’re blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide suitable evidence, you can apply for a 50% discount on your TV Licence. However, if neither of these conditions apply, you’ll have to pay the full rate for a TV Licence.
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for Pension Credit, or qualify for a reduced fee TV Licence, there are still several ways to save money.
TV Licences are issued per household, not per individual. Therefore, if you live in a house with multiple people, not everyone needs to have one, and you could all contribute towards the cost of a single licence.
You can share a TV Licence among the entire household if you watch TV in a communal area, or have a joint tenancy agreement. However, if you have separate tenancy agreements and watch TV in your own room, you will need to pay for your own licence.
There’s no requirement for a TV Licence to enjoy streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus, on-demand television via platforms such as All 4 and Amazon Prime Video, online videos on sites like YouTube, or DVDs and Blu-rays. Therefore, if you’re content with these options and refrain from watching or recording any live TV or BBC iPlayer, you could save yourself £174.50.
However, be aware that if you do watch or record live TV without a TV Licence, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
