While most UK households saw the cost of a TV Licence rise to £174.50 in April 2025, a select group of people can access the service for a drastically reduced fee of just £7.50. This significant discount is available under specific circumstances, primarily for those living in residential care.
Who Qualifies for the £7.50 TV Licence?
The heavily discounted licence, which represents a saving of over £167 on the standard colour fee, is not widely available. It is offered exclusively to residents of eligible residential care homes, supported housing, or sheltered accommodation. Crucially, to qualify, individuals must also meet one of two key criteria set by the UK Government.
You must be either:
- Retired and aged 60 or over
- Living with a disability
Application for this concession is not made directly by the resident. Official guidance on GOV.UK states: "Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you." This means eligibility is managed through the accommodation provider.
Other TV Licence Concessions You Might Claim
Beyond the £7.50 scheme, other important discounts exist for vulnerable groups. People who are registered as blind, or who live with someone who is, are entitled to a 50% reduction. This brings the annual cost of a colour TV Licence down to £87.25.
To secure this discount, the licence must be in the blind person's name. If it currently isn't, a new application is required to transfer it, for which you will need to provide the existing TV Licence number.
Another critical concession is linked to Pension Credit. It is vital to understand that Pension Credit is a separate, means-tested benefit for those over State Pension age on a low income, not to be confused with the State Pension itself. It can top up weekly income to £227.10 for singles or £346.60 for couples.
Those receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence once they turn 74. However, they must continue to pay until the end of the month before their 75th birthday, after which the free licence coverage begins.
Why Did the TV Licence Fee Increase?
The standard fee increase to £174.50 for a colour licence (and £58.50 for a black-and-white one) was implemented on 1 April 2025. This followed an announcement in 2024 by the Secretary of State for a rise of 2.9%, in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation measure.
The TV Licensing authority notes this equated to a daily increase of just over 1p and was only the second rise since April 2021. The Government has stated that future annual increases will be tied to CPI inflation for the following four years, through to 2027.
For comprehensive details on eligibility and how to apply for any concession, residents are advised to visit the official GOV.UK website or the TV Licensing site directly.
