You need a TV licence if you watch or record live TV, or if you watch anything on BBC iPlayer – but state pensioners who are over the age of 75 and get Pension Credit don’t have to pay for a TV licence
Anyone living in the UK who is over the age of 75 and claims Pension Credit can get a TV licence for free. This means anyone born in 1950 could become eligible for a free TV licence this year.
The price of a TV licence is now £174.50. You need a TV licence if you watch or record live TV, or if you watch anything – whether it is live, or catch-up – on BBC iPlayer.
You don’t need a TV licence if you only watch shows on catch-up using streaming services that aren’t BBC iPlayer. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 – then you don’t need a TV licence.
However, you would need a TV licence if you’re tuning into live shows through these services. The penalty for watching TV without a licence is up to £1,000, or £2,000 in Guernsey.
Pension Credit – what you need to know
Pension Credit boosts your weekly income and, as well as a free TV licence for over-75s, also unlocks other financial help, such as free dental treatment and vouchers for glasses or contact lenses.
The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,900 each year – but an estimated 800,000 people are missing out on this benefit.
The main part of Pension Credit is known as “Guarantee Credit” and this tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or to £346.60 if you’re in a couple.
Your income normally needs to be below these amounts to be eligible, but you might still be able to claim if you have a higher income and you have a severe disability, you’re a carer, or you have to housing costs.
You can be entitled to extra amounts if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. If you reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have savings or a second pension, you may be eligible for the savings credit element of Pension Credit.
This is worth £17.30 a week if you’re single, or £19.36 a week if you’re in a couple. You can apply for Pension Credit on GOV.UK, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form.
You can apply up to 4 months before you reach state pension age. You will need the following information:
- Your National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
- Your bank, building society or credit union account details