Households in the UK that include a person who is legally blind can cut their annual TV licence fee by half, paying just £90 instead of the standard £180. The concession applies to the entire household, regardless of the blind person's age, as confirmed by TV Licensing.
Eligibility and Application Process
To qualify for the blind concession, a member of the household must be certified as severely sight impaired. Applicants need to provide proof such as a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI), a BD8 certificate, an optician's certificate, a local authority document, or a tax code from HMRC for Blind Person's Allowance.
If the existing TV licence is not in the name of the blind person, it must be transferred. For blind individuals under 18, a different process applies. TV Licensing states: “A blind concession TV licence costs £90 for colour and £30.25 for a black and white TV licence. If you or someone you live with is blind (severely sight impaired), regardless of their age, you can apply for a blind concession.”
Other Discounts Available
Additional reductions exist for those aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit, which entitles the household to a free TV licence. Residents of care homes or sheltered accommodation can cancel their home licence if they no longer live there, as the facility holds its own licence.
The standard colour TV licence fee of £180 has become increasingly controversial in the streaming era, with many households seeking ways to reduce or avoid the charge. The blind concession offers a straightforward 50% saving for eligible families.
