UK pensioners could be eligible for a TV licence refund ahead of its price going up in April. The price of a TV licence will rise from £169.50 to £174.50 from April 1. But if you're over the age of 75 and you claim and Pension Credit, then you're entitled to a free TV licence - which means you can avoid paying this fee. If you turn 75 and become eligible for a free TV licence, you can get a refund for any length of time left on your licence.
You don't automatically get a free TV licence when you turn 75 - you have to apply to turn your TV licence into a free one. 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 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.
