The TV licence fee rises from £174.50 to £180 on April 1
People above State Pension age are being encouraged to check whether they’re required to pay the TV licence fee before the annual charge jumps from £174.50 to £180 next month. The hike on April 1 means millions of households throughout the UK will shortly pay somewhat more to lawfully watch or record live television or access BBC iPlayer.
But, as reported by the Daily Record, some elderly individuals may be eligible for a free licence based on their situation. One of the main exemptions is connected to Pension Credit, a benefit intended to supplement the income of people beyond State Pension age who are on a low income.
Households with somebody aged 75 or above will be entitled to a free TV licence if they claim Pension Credit. The free licence extends to everyone residing at the same address, which means couples or families sharing a home may also gain from it.
Pensioners must pay the complete TV licence fee if they don’t claim Pension Credit or fail to satisfy the eligibility criteria. The licence fee increases annually in step with inflation and helps finance the BBC’s television, radio and digital services.
Anyone who watches or records live TV broadcasts on any channel, or accesses BBC iPlayer, is obliged by law to hold a valid licence. For numerous elderly households, verifying eligibility for Pension Credit could prove tremendously beneficial. Besides potentially qualifying for a free TV licence, the benefit can provide access to a variety of additional financial assistance.
This can include assistance with housing expenses, Council Tax reductions and heating costs. Despite the extra support it offers, Pension Credit remains one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners believed to be losing out.
Pensioners who are uncertain whether they need to pay the TV licence fee can also check the regulations online or contact TV Licensing directly to confirm their situation before the new £180 fee takes effect in April.
How to make a claim
You can begin your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that period.
You will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Information about your income, savings and investments
- Your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
You can use the online service if:
- You have already claimed your State Pension
- There are no children or young people included in your claim
To verify your eligibility, ring the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or utilise the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to determine how much you could receive.
