Money-saving expert Martin Lewis is now calling on people to check if they qualify for a free TV licence
Martin Lewis has issued a crucial tip for certain UK households that could see their TV licence fee drop from £174.50 to absolutely nothing.
Before 2020, over-75s were entitled to a free TV licence, but the perk was axed, leaving only those on Pension Credit eligible for the freebie. The money-saving expert is now calling on people to check if they qualify, emphasising: “Don’t stall, just call.”
He stressed the importance of this move, saying: “This isn’t just about a TV licence. It’s about unlocking a package of support that too many pensioners are still going without.”
Pension Credit claimants can also enjoy other financial benefits such as lower council tax bills, complimentary NHS dental treatment, assistance with heating costs via the Warm Home Discount, and Cold Weather Payments during the chillier months.
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Eligibility for Pension Credit might apply to single pensioners earning less than roughly £227 weekly, or couples whose combined income doesn’t exceed £346, reports Birmingham Live.
This advice comes at a time when state pensioners may be baffled by an HMRC letter demanding payment, as highlighted by a personal finance specialist.
With the Triple Lock guarantee in place, state pensions are on the rise, but this increase carries a potential pitfall. As the DWP boosts state pension sums, there’s a danger for older individuals to inadvertently cross the HMRC Personal Tax-Free Allowance threshold. Projections indicate that the state pension could surpass this limit by 2028.
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Mark Pemberthy, benefits consulting leader at Gallagher, issued a warning: “The freezing of the personal allowance until at least April 2028 means that this will be a mainstream issue for the growing proportion of pensioners receiving the new state pension – particularly for those where the state pension is their only source of income in retirement.”
“HMRC has a simple assessment process for collecting income tax, but this results in people getting a request for payment of unpaid tax at the end of the tax year.
“There is a big risk that this will lead to a lot confused and unhappy people in April/May 2027 unless there has been a very effective communication campaign in the meantime or a significant change in policy.”
