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A large slice of the telly-watching population is missing out on free TV licences – just as the price for one is set to jump by just over £10. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reminding hundreds of thousands of people they could be eligible for a free BBC licence.
In an update on X, formerly Twitter, the DWP said: “#PensionCredit could give access to extra support, including help with energy costs and a free TV Licence for over 75s”.
The licence fee was first introduced in June 1946, when television broadcasts resumed following the Second World War. TV has changed dramatically since then with streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime taking an ever greater share of the audience.
From April 1, the TV licence will cost £169.50 – jumping up from the current price of £159. But many people may not realise they don’t need to pay for theirs.
It is thought there are currently around 850,000 people in the UK who are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it. The benefit, which is worth around £75 per week for each claimant, also gives access to freebies and other money-saving schemes, reports the Echo.
As well as a free TV licence for over 75s, these can include:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
You can find out more about Pension Credit here
