TV Licensing

In August 2020, the BBC introduced a new scheme that offers some over 75 households a free TV Licence. You can get a free TV Licence if:

• You, as the licence holder, are 75 years or older
  AND
• you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit.

Don’t receive Pension Credit? Pay for your TV Licence

Currently paying for a licence?

Please continue to make your payments as usual to stay covered. You can also renew your licence now if you need to.

Previously had a free over 75 TV Licence?

If you previously had a free over 75 TV Licence before the new scheme was introduced, please sign in to get set up with a new licence.

Not covered by a licence?

If you didn’t previously have a free over 75 TV Licence and are not currently paying for one, please buy a licence now.

Receive Pension Credit? Get a free TV Licence

Free over 75 TV Licences are only available to households that receive Pension Credit.

If you’re 74 or over and you or your partner at the same address are receiving Pension Credit, please sign in to apply for a free licence.

If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but don’t currently have a TV Licence, call 0300 790 6117 and speak to one of our advisors to request an application form. (Our lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.)

Once we’ve received your application it may take a few weeks to process. If there are any problems we’ll write to let you know. We may also call you if you have given us your phone number.

Need to apply for Pension Credit?

If you don’t have Pension Credit but think you may be eligible, you can find out more at gov.uk/pension-credit. You can use the online Pension Credit calculator which will provide you with an indication of how much you might get.

Then you can claim for Pension Credit online or by calling 0800 99 1234 (opening hours 8.00am - 6.00pm).

If you live in Northern Ireland please visit nidirect.gov.uk/pension-credit or call the Northern Ireland Pension Centre on 0808 100 6165.

Refunds

If you’ve been paying for a licence when you were eligible for a free over 75 TV Licence, you may be due a refund. We will process this as part of your application.

Applying for a free over 75 TV Licence before you reach 75

If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free over 75 TV Licence when you are 74 years old. We’ll update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, when you’ll be covered by your free licence. We’ll confirm this in writing.

Please sign in to apply for a free licence.

If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but don’t currently have a TV Licence, call 0300 790 6117 and speak to one of our advisors to request an application form. (Our lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.)

Have your circumstances changed?

If the licence holder has died

Please contact us to let us know who we should transfer the licence to. If you lived at the same address, you’ll be covered until the current licence expires.

If you’re eligible, you can then apply for a new free licence. If not, you’ll need to buy a new licence when the current one expires.

If you’ve moved home or into a residential care home

You can move your licence to your new address by updating your details online.

If you’re 75 or over and live in a residential care home, you may be covered by an ARC (Accommodation for Residential Care) TV Licence and won’t have to pay for a licence even if you don’t receive Pension Credit. You may also get a free licence if you live somewhere that used to have an ARC licence. Please speak to your care home administrator.

Any other questions?

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it’s below a certain level. You may still be eligible if you have savings, a pension or your own home.

Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who saved some money towards their retirement, for example a pension.

You can find out more at gov.uk/pension-credit.

How would I know if I already receive Pension Credit?

You can check your bank or building society statement where The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pay your benefit. You should see an entry with your National Insurance Number followed by the letters “PC”.

Additionally, DWP will have sent you an entitlement letter showing your new rate of Pension Credit payable.

If you need any other help, please see the ways to contact us.