The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that state pensioners aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit can obtain a free TV Licence, reducing the BBC licence fee from £180 to £0. The benefit, worth an average of £4,300 a year, also unlocks additional support such as help with housing costs and council tax.
Who Qualifies for a Free TV Licence?
To qualify, individuals must be aged 75 or older and in receipt of Pension Credit. The DWP stated: "Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licences." The government is providing a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits between 2026 and 2027.
How to Claim the Free TV Licence
Eligible pensioners must first claim Pension Credit through the DWP. Once they are in receipt of the benefit, they can apply for a free TV Licence via the TV Licensing website or by calling the TV Licensing helpline. The licence covers all households where the applicant lives, provided no one else in the household is liable for a separate licence.
Other TV Licence Concessions
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) outlined additional concessions: "There are a number of TV Licence concessions available, including for over-75s in receipt of Pension Credit. There is no BBC concession to provide free TV Licences for all pensioners at this time." Other concessions include those for people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old. The government confirmed it is "keeping an open mind about new concessions" but does not plan to remove any existing ones or revisit the decision on over-75s licences, as the BBC concession targets those most in need.
Cost and Impact
Prior to the 2020 amendment, the cost of providing free TV Licences for all over-75s was estimated at around £745 million per annum. The current concession, limited to those on Pension Credit, significantly reduces that cost while supporting the most vulnerable pensioners. The DCMS added: "The government is committed to the current licence fee and its available concessions for the remainder of this Charter period, until the end of 2027."
