Pension Credit claimants could claim for free TV licence – how to claim | Personal Finance | Finance
A TV licence is needed in the UK to watch or stream programming as it is being broadcast live on television. It is also needed to watch live content on streaming services, such as Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer. Pension Credit is a benefit payment administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which tops up the income of people on the state pension.
Who is eligible for a free TV licence?
Pensioners qualify for this “freebie” benefit if one of the occupiers in their household is over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit.
On top of this, if someone’s partner who lives in the same household is claiming Pension Credit and over 75, they will also be eligible.
The current cost of the TV licence fee is £159 for a colour television and £79.50 for a black and white one, and this is being frozen for the next two years.
A pensioner in receipt of the free television will be able to save up to £159 a year. Other concessions are available to those who are blind.
READ MORE: Pensioners could get ‘lifeline’ payment worth up to £370 per month
How to claim free TV licence
People can sign in to their TV Licensing account and apply for a free licence. If they believe they are eligible for a free licence but do not currently have one, they can call 0300 790 6117.
Those putting forward a claim can speak to one of TV Licensing’s advisors to request an application form with lines open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.
The overall process can take a few weeks for Pension Credit claimants but if any issues come up with application, TV Licensing will reach out to people.
There are also different free licence plans in place for over 75s on the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
DON’T MISS
How much is Pension Credit?
Currently, those of state pension age on this benefit payment see their weekly income topped up to £182.60 if they are single.
If they are in a relationship, which includes spouses and civil partners, their joint weekly income will be increased to £278.70.
As of April 2023, the majority of DWP benefit payments will see their rates hiked by 10.1 percent in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation for September.
Once this has been implemented, Pension Credit for single claimants will 201.05 a week and a 306.85 weekly rate for couples.
READ MORE: NS&I announces December 2022 Premium Bonds prize winners
Stephen Lowe, a group communications director at Just Group, previously outlined why the benefits associated with the state pension are often of greater use to claimants than the state pension itself.
Mr Lowe explained: “The social and cultural reference to ‘freebie’ benefits means nearly all over 65s know about them but their financial value is dwarfed by other benefits which are less well known.
“The state pension alone will not provide a comfortable standard of living so checking your entitlement for other state benefits should be as much a part of planning for retirement as understanding what your private pension and other savings will provide.”
Outside of Pension Credit, and the associated free TV licence, older people can also claim free prescriptions and the Winter Fuel Payment.
