If you are blind or severely sight impaired, you need a TV Licence to use any TV receiving equipment to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.
This includes the use of a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, computer or mobile phone.
If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.
If you or someone you live with is blind or severely sight impaired, you qualify to receive a 50% concession on the cost of your TV Licence.
If the person who is blind or severely sight impaired is not the current licence holder for your address, you first need to transfer the licence into their name by calling 0844 800 6790. That person can then apply for a blind concession.
The blind concession reduces the cost of your TV Licence by 50%. So a colour TV Licence will cost £71.25 and a black and white TV Licence will cost £24.00.
To qualify for and claim the blind concession, you'll need to provide a photocopy of:
A certificate or other document issued by or on behalf of your local authority* showing that you are registered as blind or severely sight impaired.
Or a certificate from your ophthalmologist stating that you are blind or severely sight impaired.
Please post a photocopy of this document along with your licence renewal notice (if you have one) and fee payment (by cheque) to the address below. Remember to include your name, address, telephone number and TV Licence number.
TV Licensing
Blind Concession Group
Bristol BS98 1TL
If you prefer, you can call us on 0844 800 6790 and we will send you a letter showing you how much you need to pay and different ways you can pay.
We will send you a new TV Licence within ten working days of receipt of your application.
*In Northern Ireland, this certificate or document must be issued by or on behalf of a Health and Social Services Trust. In the Isle of Man, it must be issued by or on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Services.
No. As long as we are satisfied that you remain eligible for the blind concession, we won't ask you to prove that you are blind or severely sight impaired every time you renew your TV Licence. However, you must still renew your TV Licence every year to avoid being unlicensed.
If you pay for your TV Licence by Direct Debit, it will be automatically renewed each year. You can set up a Direct Debit online or by calling 0844 800 6767.
Not a problem. Simply call 0844 800 6790 and we'll refund you the difference.
Please note that we can only offer refunds for TV Licences bought after 1 April 2000, when the blind concession was introduced. Also, you will need to provide proof that you were blind or severely sight impaired when you bought the licence.
That person is entitled to a blind concession on the cost of their TV Licence, which will cover anyone living in the household.
If you are the current licence holder for your home and you would like to benefit from the blind concession, you will need to transfer the licence into the name of the person who is blind or severely sight impaired. To do this, simply call 0844 800 6790.
