UK pensioners born in 1950 could become eligible for a free TV licence this year. The price of a TV licence is going up again this April, from £169.50 to £174.50. But if you're over the age of 75 and you claim and Pension Credit, then you're entitled to a free TV licence. Pension Credit is available to pensioners on a low income. Anyone born in 1950 will be turning 75 this year and could be entitled to this benefit if their income is below a certain threshold.
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you're single, or to £332.95 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.
But you don't automatically get a free TV licence when you turn 75 and claim Pension Credit - you have to apply for it. You can apply for a free TV licence when you turn 74, as TV Licensing will update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday. You can get a refund for any length of time left on your licence. But not everyone needs a TV licence in the first place.
You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything on BBC iPlayer, even if it is on-demand. This applies whether you're watching on a TV, laptop, computer, tablet or phone. But if you don't watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer, then don't need to pay for a TV licence.
This means if you only watch shows on catch-up using streaming services that aren't BBC iPlayer - such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 - then you don't need a TV licence. If you’re tuning into live shows through these services, then you would need a TV licence.
If you're caught watching TV programmes that require a TV licence, then you could be fined up to £1,000. The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey, plus any legal costs or compensation you may be ordered to pay. A message on the TV Licensing website reads: "We could visit your address to confirm if you need a TV licence. If we find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine for not having a TV licence of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.".
Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit: People aged over 75 who are claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence. Students living away from home: Students who are living away from home may also be covered if their parents have a TV licence, but only if they're watching TV on a device that isn't plugged into the mains, such as a phone, tablet or laptop.
People who are blind or severely sight-impaired: If someone in your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you'll get 50% off the cost of your TV licence. Residential care or sheltered accommodation: If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to apply for a concessionary TV licence which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.
