People of State Pension age born before October 5, 1951, can apply to have the cost of their TV Licence reduced to £0, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements.
A standard colour TV licence, which allows you to record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, as well as on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer, currently costs £180 per year.
Who can claim a free TV Licence?
The licence fee has risen with CPI inflation on an annual basis since 2017, apart from a two-year freeze put in place between 2022 and 2024 amid cost of living pressures. It will rise again in April 2027 in the final year of the current Royal Charter and funding settlement.
It is possible to get reductions, or even avoid having to pay the fee at all if you meet certain criteria. One route is through claiming Pension Credit if you are at least 75 years old.
That means that as of October 5, 2026, anyone born on or before October 5, 1951, and who is on Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence. You can also get one if you're 75 and over and live with your partner who gets Pension Credit, with the licence covering everyone living at your address.
Applying for Pension Credit
The GOV.UK website explains that you "can apply when you're 74 if you already get Pension Credit". "You'll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday," it adds. "After that you'll be covered by your free licence."
Pension Credit aims to top up the weekly income of people who have reached State Pension age and are on low incomes to give them a more reasonable standard of living. Pension Credit can also soften the blow of housing costs such as ground rent or service charges, by factoring your home into the benefit award calculation.
When you apply for Pension Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) calculates your income, calculating couples' income together in a joint pot, the UK Government website explains. From April 6, 2026, it was upped by 4.8% to £238 if you're single, and £363.25 for couples. This is known as the Standard Minimum Guarantee.
Further support and eligibility
Incomes are calculated against these thresholds, with the DWP providing the difference if you fall below that. However, even if your income exceeds these benchmarks, you may still be able to claim Pension Credit as part of the Guarantee Credit element of the benefit. This includes if you have a disability, you care for someone, or you have savings or housing costs.
The Government says the benefit is worth an average of £4,300 a year, as well as unlocking further support like council tax reductions and housing support. You can find out more on the GOV.UK website.
