Thousands of individuals born in 1950 may qualify for a complimentary TV licence starting this year. If you are 75 years or older and receive Pension Credit, you are eligible for a free TV licence, which currently costs £174.50.
Upon turning 75 and claiming Pension Credit, you can request a refund for any remaining months on your TV licence after your 75th birthday, provided you have at least one month left on the licence to apply for a refund.
A TV licence is necessary for watching or recording live TV, as well as for viewing any content – live or catch-up – on BBC iPlayer. However, if you only watch shows on catch-up via streaming services other than BBC iPlayer, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4, or My5, a TV licence is not required. Yet, if you watch live TV shows through these streaming services, a TV licence is needed.
Failure to have a TV licence while watching TV can lead to fines of up to £1,000, or £2,000 in Guernsey.
It is estimated that approximately 800,000 eligible households miss out on Pension Credit annually. Pension Credit aims to boost weekly income, primarily through Guarantee Credit, which can increase weekly income to £227.10 for singles and £346.60 for couples.
To qualify, your income typically needs to be below certain thresholds, but exceptions apply for individuals with higher incomes who are disabled, caregivers, or have housing expenses. Additional entitlements under Pension Credit may apply if you are a caregiver, severely disabled, or have responsibilities for a child or young person. Savings Credit, a component of Pension Credit for those reaching state pension age before April 2016, can provide up to £17.30 per week for singles and £19.36 for couples.
Pension Credit also opens doors to other financial benefits, including free dental treatment and vouchers for glasses or contact lenses. On average, Pension Credit recipients receive over £3,900 annually.
If you believe you are eligible for Pension Credit, you can apply through GOV.UK, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by completing a paper application form. Applications can be submitted up to four months before reaching state pension age.
