Households where someone is registered as blind or severely sight impaired can cut their BBC TV Licence fee in half, reducing the annual cost from £180 to £90 for the 2026-27 financial year.
The 50% concession applies to anyone certified as blind (severely sight impaired) who can provide the required evidence. Those who are partially sighted (sight impaired) do not qualify for the reduction.
Evidence needed for the blind concession
Applicants must submit specific documentation as set out on the TV Licensing website. Acceptable proof includes a CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) confirming the holder is certified as blind, or a BD8 Certificate confirming the same.
Other accepted documents include a certificate or letter from a Local Authority confirming registration as blind, or a copy of a certificate from an Ophthalmologist stating the holder is blind. Applicants can also provide a tax coding notice from HMRC confirming they receive Blind Person's Allowance, or a copy of a National Registration Card signed by an Ophthalmologist.
Regional and household rules
Isle of Man residents can submit DHSS documentation or a certificate confirming blindness, while Northern Ireland residents can provide Health and Social Services paperwork or a letter from an Optometrist.
TV Licensing states that anyone in a household who is blind, "regardless of their age," is eligible to apply for the blind concession. If an existing TV Licence is not registered in the blind person's name, it must be transferred into their name through a first time blind application, using the current licence number for the address.
