You’re eligible for a free TV licence if you’re over the age of 75 and claim Pension Credit – but latest figures from Policy in Practice this week reveal the huge scale of households that are missing out
Almost 1.5million households are missing out on £249million worth of free TV licences, new figures this week show.
You need to have a TV licence if you watch or record live TV programmes, whether this be on a TV, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. BBC iPlayer also requires a TV licence – and this is for both live TV, watching shows on catch-up and downloading content.
However, if you’re watching shows on catch-up using other streaming services – such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 – then you don’t need a TV licence. If you’re tuning into live shows through these services, then you would need a TV licence.
The price of a TV licence has just risen to £169.50 – but not everyone needs to pay for one. You’re eligible for a free TV licence if you’re over the age of 75 and claim Pension Credit. But latest figures from Policy in Practice this week reveal the huge scale of households that are missing out.
Of the 1.47million people not claiming a free TV licence, a staggering 807,704 households who are eligible for Pension Credit have not put in a claim to get their free TV licence. Pension Credit is a benefit that gives you extra money if you’re over the state pension age and on a low income. The standard minimum guarantee part of Pension Credit is currently worth £218.15 a week if you’re single, or £332.95 a week if you’re in a couple.
You may be entitled to extra elements on top of this, depending on if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. You can apply for Pension Credit online on the GOV.UK website, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form. Pension Credit is available if you are over the state pension age, and you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
