TV Licensing

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/ Over 75 TV Licence

If you had a free TV Licence up to 31 July 2020, don’t worry, you’re still covered. During August and September, we’re writing to you to explain what you need to do to set up your next licence. Or you can sign in to set up your new licence now.

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.

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.

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

Find out more about Pension Credit.

Previously covered by a free over 75 TV Licence?

If you had a free licence up to 31 July 2020 and you or your partner at the same address are receiving Pension Credit, please sign in to apply for your next free licence.

Never been covered by a free over 75 TV Licence?

If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but have not held one before, 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 you receive your application form, you’ll need to complete and return it. Please include a copy of your Pension Credit and proof of age documents. This could be a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or The Pension Service. In Northern Ireland, this could be a letter from the Department for Communities or the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

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.

If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man

The BBC consultation on TV Licences for older people in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man has now closed. We’ll be in touch when a decision has been made. Until then, existing free licences will be in place until 31 December 2020. New licences will also run until that date.

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.

To request an application form, please call 0300 790 6117 and speak to one of our advisors.

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.

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.

I have received a letter about a problem setting up my monthly Direct Debit

Have you recently tried to sign up to our 75+ Plan and have a received a letter about your Direct Debit which asks you to call us on 0300 790 6146 or 0300 790 6070?

This is a genuine letter from TV Licensing. There’s nothing to worry about. Find out more.

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

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