What is it?

If you're aged 75 or over and receiving Pension Credit you're entitled to a free television licence for your main home. Until 1 August 2020 anyone aged over 75 was entitled to a free licence.

If you are not already claiming Pension Credit the benefits calculator will help you to check if you are entitled to claim it.

If you used to get the licence for free but now need to pay for it log in to your TV licencing account to set up and pay for your new licence.

Subject to certain conditions you can also get TV licence concessions if you're registered blind/severely sight impaired (50% discount) or if you live in nursing or residential care or in sheltered accommodation (£7.50 per room, flat or bungalow).

Free licences and deductions also cover other household members living at the address.

How do I claim?

If you’re 74 or over

If you had a free TV Licence before 31 July 2020 what you need to do depends on whether you are already claiming Pension Credit or not.

If you are claiming Pension Credit – log in to your TV licencing account to apply for your next free licence.

If you are not claiming Pension Credit – first, use the benefits calculator to see if you are eligible. If you are see above, if you’re not you will need to pay and you can set up your new licence on the TV licencing website.

If you are applying for your first free TV licence and you are already claiming Pension Credit call 0300 790 6117 (Monday to Friday 8.30am and 6.30pm) to request an application form. It is useful to have your National Insurance number to hand.

You can do this from the age of 74 as you will be issued with a short-term paid-for licence to cover you until your 75th birthday if you are under the age of 75.

Once you receive the application form you need to complete and return it with a copy of your Pension Credit and proof of age documents to the address on the form. Proof documents could be a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or The Pension Service. In Northern Ireland, this could be a letter from the Department for Communities or the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you’re blind or severely sight impaired

You can complete an online application form accessed from tvlicensing.co.uk/blind which you need to print out and post along with one proof of your entitlement from the list below (send a copy not the original).

• CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) 
• BD8 Certificate
• A certificate or other documentation issued by, or on behalf of a Local Authority showing that you are blind (severely sight impaired)
• A copy of a certificate from your Ophthalmologist stating that you are blind (severely sight impaired)

 

If you live in sheltered or residential care accommodation

Speak to your warden or care home administrator as they need to make the application for you.