TV Licensing
- / How TV Licensing can support your clients
How TV Licensing can support your clients
We know that some people find it difficult to pay for a TV Licence. And we want to do all we can to help. On this page you can explore some of the ways you can support your clients and find out where they can get further money advice.
This page includes information on:
- Free TV Licences for over-75s on Pension Credit.
- The Simple Payment Plan and how it works.
- Where to find further support.
Who can get a free TV Licence?
If your client receives Pension Credit, they could get a free TV Licence. The BBC gives out more than 700,000 free licences for over-75s on Pension Credit. Your client can apply for a free licence if:
- They’re aged 75 or older.
- They, or their partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit.
Find more information on applying for a free licence.
Check if your client is eligible for a free TV Licence
It’s worth checking if your client can get Pension Credit. Even if they have a pension, savings or own their home, they could still be entitled to it.
The average Pension Credit payment is over £83 a week. It allows them to claim a free TV Licence.
It can also help with housing costs, heating bills, council tax and NHS dental care.
Anyone can check if they’re eligible by calling the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 99 1234 (open 8.00am-6.00pm). Or visiting gov.uk/pension-credit.
Spread the cost with the Simple Payment Plan
We’re doing all we can to help those who are finding it difficult to pay. That’s why we offer payment plans to help spread the cost of a TV Licence. Like our Simple Payment Plan.
Customers who qualify can spread the cost of a licence over 12 months, paying either monthly or fortnightly.
The Simple Payment Plan also offers flexibility. If a payment is missed, it can be spread across the remainder of the plan. So customers don’t have to pay double the amount next time. If customers miss their payments three months in a row, they’re removed from the Simple Payment Plan.
Who can sign up to the plan?
The plan is only available to specific clients, including:
- People who’ve had a TV Licence cancelled within the last six months because of missed payments.
- People who’ve held a Simple Payment Plan licence within the previous 12 months.
- People who’ve had a TV Licensing Visiting Officer visit to check if they have a TV Licence.
They will be contacted by TV Licensing inviting them to join, or a Visiting Officer will invite them.
We can also accept referrals from not-for-profit organisations like charities or local authority money advice groups, but not from commercial organisations.
If your client would like to speak to someone about the Simple Payment Plan or their finances, there are not-for-profit organisations that could help. Their advice is free, confidential, and independent.
- StepChange Debt Charity - call 0800 138 1111 or visit their website for debt advice.
- Money Advice Scotland - call 0141 572 0237 or go to their website to find details of debt advice in your area.
- Citizens Advice - visit their local Citizens Advice Bureau (you can find the address online) or go to adviceguide.org.uk.
- National Debtline – call 0808 808 4000 or go to their website for advice and information.
- MoneyHelper – access free advice at Money Helper - Money Adviser Network.
- Christians Against Poverty - call 0800 328 0006 for free debt counselling.
Support during a mental health crisis
TV Licensing offers a Breathing Space scheme designed to ease the pressures on customers facing financial difficulties or mental health challenges. The program provides a 60-day respite from TV Licensing contact. If they are experiencing a mental health crisis, the Breathing Space will last as long as any treatment, plus 30 days after the end of treatment.
You can only apply for Breathing Space through a debt advice provider. TV Licensing will then work with the debt advisor to make sure that the customer is on the best payment plan to help them reduce the money (arrears) they owe. Breathing Space applies only to arrears, not to regular payments. For further information or to discuss a referral, please contact debtcharitysupport@tvlicensing.co.uk
Speaking to TV Licensing
We’ll do all we can to help. If your client thinks they’re eligible for our support, or they have a question about their payments, please ask them to contact us.
- If they pay for their licence with a TV Licensing payment card, please call 0300 555 0286.
- If they pay by Direct Debit, please call 0300 790 6068*.
Our lines are open Monday to Friday from 08:30am until 06:30pm.
*Calls to our 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge.