TV Licensing
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Care home residents
If you're a care home resident, and you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, you'll need to make sure you're covered by a TV Licence. This is the case whether you use a TV, computer, mobile phone or any other device.
You need a separate licence for your own living area. Residential care homes may qualify for the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) scheme. This may entitle you to a reduced fee TV Licence.
The management of your care home is responsible for ensuring that a valid TV Licence covers all communal areas.
If you are 75 or over, please speak to your care home manager who can apply for a free licence on your behalf.
Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) scheme |
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|---|---|
| Does your care home qualify for the ARC scheme? |
Please speak to your care home manager to find out if your care home qualifies. Your care home manager can find out by visiting the residential care homes page. |
| Cost of reduced TV Licence | An ARC Concessionary TV Licence costs £7.50 for one year for each resident’s room or separate living area. If your care home qualifies, you can apply provided you meet the conditions below. |
You may qualify for reduced fees |
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| Retired residents |
You must be over 60. If you’re in paid work, this must be for no more than 15 hours per week. You can only work for more than 15 hours per week if you’ve had an ARC Concessionary Licence since 31 March 2004. |
| Disabled residents | You must have substantially impaired sight, hearing or speech, a mental disorder or substantial physical disability. |
You may be entitled to a refund
If you’ve already bought a full TV Licence, but qualify for an ARC Concessionary TV Licence
To claim a refund, please ask the care home manager to write to us with the following details:
- Your TV Licence number
- The date you moved into the residential care home
- Your previous address
- Confirmation of your age and retired status, or confirmation of your disability
Find more information on sheltered accommodation.
