Last month, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed that the BBC TV licence fee would be frozen at £159 for two years, until 2024, after which it will rise in line with inflation for the following four years.
UK inflation hit a fresh 30-year high after rising further in January as the UK remains in the grip of a tightening cost of living squeeze. Official figures revealed that Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation reached 5.5% in the first month of 2022, up from 5.4% in December and again reaching the highest level since March 1992, when it stood at 7.1%.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the cost of clothes and footwear pushed inflation higher last month, with the smallest January discounts in shops since 1990. But inflation is soaring across the economy, with sky-high energy costs expected to drive CPI to 7.25% in April – the highest level since August 1991.
The present course of inflation would see the BBC TV licence rise to £167.74.
April is going to put extra pressure on millions of household finances across the UK, and most people have forgotten there will also be an increase in the amount of National Insurance being deducted.
But there is a way for thousands of older and more vulnerable people to save money, especially if they are over 75 or registered blind.
Recent figures shared by the charity, Turn2us, show that approximately 589,000 older people across the UK are not claiming their free TV Licence and are missing out on saving £159 each year.
And not many people realise that a free TV licence will also cover anyone else the claimant is living with, no matter what age they are. The licence must be in the name of the person claiming Pension Credit - if it’s not, you can transfer it by calling TV Licensing on 0300 790 6112.
People who are registered blind are entitled to a half price TV Licence (£79.50) and may be eligible for a refund on payments made in previous years - if they have lived at the same address.
When someone with a severe sight impairment applies for a TV Licence they are required to submit evidence of their disability - a copy of the blind registration letter issued by their ophthalmologist or eye specialist to them and their local authority is one of the most common forms of proof.
From that, TV Licensing may identify an overpayment, especially if you have been paying by direct debit, and issue a refund from the date of your blind registration - if you’ve been living at the same address where you have been paying for your TV Licence.
The TV Licence has to be in the blind person's name. If it isn't, you can transfer it by calling TV Licensing on 0300 790 6112.
Who needs to buy a TV Licence?
A TV licence is needed in the UK to watch or record any programmes as they are being broadcast live on television.
It is also required to watch or stream live programming on any online TV streaming service, such as BBC iPlayer or Sky Go.
How to claim a free TV Licence
If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free over 75 TV Licence when you are 74 years old. TV Licensing will update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, when you’ll be covered by your free licence - they will confirm this in writing.
If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but don’t currently have a TV Licence, call 0300 790 6117 and speak to an advisor to request an application form. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
Need to apply for Pension Credit?
If you are not already claiming Pension Credit but think you may be eligible, you can find out more about the benefit on the GOV.UK website here.
You can also use the online Pension Credit calculator which will give you an indication of how much you might get.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that up to one million pensioners in households across the UK may be entitled to Pension Credit, but are not claiming the benefit.
Pension Credit can help top-up retirement income, even if someone already receives a pension or has another source of regular payments. Some pensioners think because they have savings or own their home they won’t qualify for the benefit boost, but many are missing out on extra money every month.
At a parliamentary hearing last summer, Secretary of State at the DWP, Dr Therese Coffey, explained how even if someone applies for it and only receives two pence per week from the UK Government, it will still open the door to additional benefits and discounts - including a free over 75 TV Licence. Find out more here.
Turn2us have a handy guide on getting help with the cost of a TV Licence which you can find on their website here.
TV Licensing also has a comprehensive guide to check if you qualify for a free or discounted TV Licence - find out more here.
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