The standard TV licence fee is £169.50 per year but there are three groups of people who can get a discount or even a free TV licence depending on their personal circumstances
Over 1.5 million households across the UK are claiming a free TV licence, and many more could be eligible to cut down their bill even if they’re not over state pension age. TV licences are essential for anyone wanting to watch or record live programmes at home or access the BBC iPlayer.
Despite what the name suggests, it doesn’t matter whether you’re viewing shows on a TV, laptop, iPad or even a smartphone. However, there are other circumstances that can affect how much of the bill you have to pay.
The standard licence fee is £169.50 per year and there are three specific groups of people that can receive discounted or even free TV licences depending on their personal circumstances. Age UK has explored the concessions Brits may be missing out on.
If you’re aged 75 and over you can get a TV licence completely free of charge if you claim Pension Credit. Previously everyone aged 75 and over were eligible for the freebie but the rules around this concession changed under the Conservatives in 2020, reducing the number of people claiming a free licence from 4.5 million to 1.5 million.
This free licence will cover the entire household regardless of the ages of the people you live with. You can apply for the free licence by contacting TV Licensing online or on 0300 790 6117 to get an application form. It’s worth noting that this freebie is not automatically given out.
If you have a severe sight or visual impairment, or are blind, you could be eligible for up to 50% off your TV licence. The licence must be in your name for the entire household to benefit from the discount.
You can apply for this discount by contacting TV Licensing either online or by calling 0300 790 6117 to request an application form. As part of your application, you’ll need to provide a photocopy of the certificate from your local authority ophthalmologist confirming your impairment and pay an application fee.
Residents of care homes or sheltered housing may qualify for an Accommodation for Residential Care licence. This licence reduces your bill to just £7.50 and is only required if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer in your own private accommodation.
If the TV you watch is in a communal area such as a residents’ lounge, you won’t need this licence. Age UK advises those who think they may be eligible for an ARC licence to speak to their administrator to find out if their housing qualifies and if they can apply on your behalf.
If you’ve already purchased a TV licence but believe you’re eligible for a discount or complete exemption, you might be able to get a refund. For those in care homes or sheltered housing, your warden may be able to apply for a refund on your behalf.
