TV licence: Not everyone needs one – how you can avoid paying £159 | Personal Finance | Finance
While a TV licence is required to watch or record live programming on any channel not just the BBC, some Britons don’t need one. Others could be eligible for a free licence depending on their circumstances.
While millions of Britons will have to fork out for a TV licence every year costing them £159, others could be paying for it unnecessarily.
People do not have to pay for a TV licence if they only watch Netflix and YouTube meaning they could save £159 per year.
As long as they don’t watch live programmes or record TV to watch later, they don’t need to fork out the cash.
More than 1.7 million people avoided paying the licence fee in 2020 and others could now apply for a refund.
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Meanwhile, more than half a million pensioners don’t know that they are entitled to watch TV for free.
Anyone claiming Pension Credit who is 75 and over qualifies for a free TV licence.
Over half a million older people receive the state pension but aren’t claiming Pension Credit, from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Poverty charity Turn2us said that 589,000 older people are not claiming Pension Credit which opens the door to a free TV licence.
Who is eligible for a free TV licence?
Over 75s who receive Pension Credit
Anyone who doesn’t watch TV but watches Netflix and YouTube
Blind or sight impaired people, or anyone living in the same household, are entitled to a 50 percent reduction on their bill
Care home residents are charged a concessionary rate of £7.50, while over-75s in residences that have ARC schemes are eligible for a free licence.
