What is a free TV Licence over 75? Can I get an exemption or a discount for my licence? If you are 75 years or older and get Pension Credit, you could get a free TV licence. Furthermore, you could get a reduced licence if you are in a different situation. Furthermore, you could even get a refund if you already paid for your licence. This Your Benefits article will tell you all you need to know.
How do you qualify for a free TV licence?
You may be able to get a discount on your TV licence. Additionally, you may even be able to get a free TV licence. There are mainly 3 conditions that will make you eligible for this benefit.
First, you may be 75 years or older and earning Pension Credit. Then, you could claim a free TV licence over 75. Furthermore, this is not limited to you. In fact, any person living with you can benefit from this. In other words, they will not have to pay for their TV licence.
Second, you may have a severe sight impairment or be blind. Then, you could claim a discount on your TV licence. More specifically, you could get 50% off. Additionally, you may live with another person. However, the claim for this discount needs to be in the name of the person that is severely sight impaired or blind. Otherwise, you may not get the discount.
What if I live in a care home or sheltered housing?
Thirdly, you may reside in sheltered housing or a care home. Then, you may qualify for an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence. Indeed, this licence costs £7.50. This is also known as the ‘free TV licence over 60’. In order to be eligible, one of the following must be true. You are:
- Disabled;
- 60 years or older and retired.
You may live in a care home or sheltered housing. However, you may not have to pay an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence. In fact, you do not have to if you watch TV in a common area. You only have to pay the ARC licence if you watch TV in a place other than common areas.
You may believe that you need to pay the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence. If this is the case, talk to your administrator or warden. If you do need to pay the ARC licence, they may do so for you.
Claim free TV licence over 75
How you may claim your free or discounted TV licence over 75 depends on your circumstances. Indeed, if you are 75 years or older and earning Pension Credit (you can apply if you are 74 years old and getting the benefit), you may do so first by phone or online.
Furthermore, you may be sight-impaired or blind. If this is the case, you could get a 50% discount on your TV licence. To get this, contact TV licensing on 0300 790 6117. Additionally, you will need the following information:
- Your TV licence application fee and form;
- A copy of your certificate (this must be a copy of a certificate from your ophthalmologist, that shows that you are blind or sight-impaired).
Can I get a refund if I already paid for my TV licence?
You may be eligible for a free TV licence over 75 (or a discount) but have already paid your full TV licence fee. Then, you may have realized that you qualify for a discount. If so, you could receive a refund.
You may live in sheltered housing or in a care home. If this is the case, you can ask your administrator, warden or staff. Indeed, they will be able to apply for a refund for you.
What is a TV licence?
A TV licence is a fee you may have to pay if you watch or record TV. More specifically, live TV programmes. In fact, this is for any TV channel. Additionally, you need to pay the fee if you use the BBC iPlayer. More specifically, if you download or watch BBC programmes through this service.
The BBC announced on 1 August 2020 that those over 75 would not be automatically eligible for a free over 75 TV licence. However, those over 75 years old getting Pension Credit can apply for a free licence. In other words, if you are over 75 but don’t receive Pension Credit, you have to pay for your licence.
What is Pension Credit?
In order to be eligible for a free TV license over 75, you must get Pension Credit. Indeed, on top of this you must be 75 years or older. As such, it is important to know if you could get Pension Credit, and how to claim, if you do not already.
You can apply for a free TV licence over 75 if you are 74 years old and receive Pension Credit. Then, you will pay for your TV Licence until your 75th birthday.
Pension Credit is a benefit you may get if you are State Pension age or older. Furthermore, you must be on a low income. Then, this benefit may help you in paying for common daily expenses, which can include things such as housing costs, like rent.
Lastly, getting Pension Credit may mean you are also entitled to other benefits (like a free TV licence). They include:
- Housing Benefit (if you rent the property that you currently reside in);
- Council Tax Reduction;
- Help with health costs, which includes NHS dental treatment, transportation costs for hospital appointments and glasses costs;
- Support for Mortgage Interest (this is if you own the property that you currently reside in);
- Help with heating costs.
How much can I get with Pension Credit?
There is a maximum amount of money that you get with Pension Credit. In fact, this is referred to as “total topped up income” in the table below.
| Pension Credit amount by eligibility in 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Condition | Weekly amount |
| You are single | £177.10 (total topped up income) |
| You are a couple | £270.30 (total topped up income) |
| You have a severe disability | £67.30 extra |
| You care for another adult | £37.70 extra |
| You are responsible for a child or young person under 20 born after 6 April 2017 | £54.60 extra per child |
| You are responsible for a child or young person under 20 born before 6 April 2017 | £65.10 extra per child |
| You are responsible for a disabled child or young person under 20 | either £29.66 or £92.54 extra, depending on the benefits they receive |
| You pay for housing costs | Amounts may vary depending on your expenses |
| You have savings or a second pension and are single | £14.04 extra in Savings Credit |
| You have savings or a second pension and are a couple | £15.71 extra in Savings Credit |
If you have certain circumstances or conditions, you may earn more than the topped-up amount. Indeed, you may be able to get extra amounts. They are known as ‘Guarantee Credit‘.
How can I claim Pension Credit?
You may claim Pension Credit up to 4 months before the date on which you reach State Pension age. Additionally, your claim can be backdated for up to 3 months. In fact, this is 3 months before the date on which you made your claim.
You may apply online on the Gov.UK website. You will also need some information. More specifically, prepare the following in order to be ready to submit your claim:
- Details about your investments, savings and income (if you may want to backdate your claim, you must include this information for the backdating period);
- Your National Insurance number.
What if I want to apply by phone or by post?
You may not feel comfortable using the phone. If this is the case, you can ask someone else to call for you. More specifically, this can be a friend or family member. To apply by phone, contact the Pension Credit claim line. Indeed, you can call them on 0800 99 1234, or by textphone on 0800 169 0133.
Can I get a free TV licence over 75?
First, apply for Pension Credit. Once you start to receive it, you can apply for a free TV licence over 75. Then, you will be able to not pay for your TV licence. However, it’s important that you start to receive Pension Credit first.
