Households can save £174.50 on BBC TV licence fee with little-known rule | Personal Finance | Finance
A lesser-known TV Licence rule that could save 475,000 Britons £174.50 annually has been unveiled. It’s been confirmed that UK households can reduce their BBC TV Licence fee from £174.50 to nothing, offering a significant saving amidst the current cost of living crisis.
The fee is applicable to any household that watches or records programmes as they’re being broadcast live on any TV channel or views live programmes on any online TV service such as Channel 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video. Those who qualify must be aged 75 and over and receiving pension credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), potentially saving you £174.50 each year. According to Policy in Practice, there are currently 475,000 eligible individuals over the age of 75 who qualify for pension credit based on their income but have not yet applied.
The free TV licence scheme for those aged 75 or over was modified in August 2020. You can now apply for a free TV licence if you’re over this age and either you or your partner living at the same address is receiving Pension Credit.
This can be Savings Credit or Guarantee Pension Credit, reports the Daily Record.
The TV licence needs to be registered under the name of the person in your household who is 75 or older and receiving Pension Credit.
UK households have been warned that a free licence will not be given automatically.
You can determine your eligibility for a free TV licence by reaching out to TV Licensing on 0300 790 6071. Applications can also be made through this channel.
If you’re applying online or by post, you’ll need two pieces of evidence confirming that you’re receiving Pension Credit and are aged 75 or over. Your passport or driving licence can usually serve as one piece of evidence.
Ensure the name you use to apply for your complimentary TV licence matches the one held by the DWP.
If the licence at your address is under a different name, you’ll require the existing licence number when applying for your free licence.
A free TV licence covers everyone living with you, regardless of their age. If no one in your household receives Pension Credit, you’ll have to pay for your TV licence. There are other circumstances where people can receive a significant discount on their TV licence.
For instance, if you reside in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you’re entitled to a discount.
If you live in a qualifying residential care home, sheltered accommodation or supported housing, you can get a TV Licence for £7.50.
To qualify, you must also be either retired and over 60 or disabled.
Your housing manager can determine if you’re eligible and apply on your behalf.
