22 October 2023 , 18:57
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Brits might be able to cancel their TV licence and get a £159 refund - but they need to check if they're eligible.
The cost of a TV licence can add a significant amount to yearly expenses, so it's important to see if you really need one, especially with the cost of living being so high. If you mainly watch Netflix, Disney+, and catch-up services (excluding BBC iPlayer ), you might not need a TV licence. This means you could cancel your payment completely.
A full TV licence currently costs £159, which could be a big saving for those who can claim it back. Here's a quick guide to the rules for discounts, as well as how to cancel and request a refund.
A woman pays bills by using her phone (file image) (Getty Images)Certain groups might be eligible for a TV licence discount. These include people who are severely blind, over 75 years old and receive Pension Credit, and those living in care homes.
If you're blind (severely sight impaired), or live with someone who is, you could get a blind concession TV licence worth 50 percent less. This cuts the annual fee from £159 to £79.50 for a colour TV licence and £26.75 for a black and white one.
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To claim the concession licence, you must provide at least one of the following documents to confirm you are certified as blind;
- A CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment)
- A BD8 Certificate
- A certificate or document issued by a Local Authority that shows you are registered as blind (severely sight impaired)
- A copy of a certificate from an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), stating that you are blind (severely sight impaired).
A full TV licence currently costs £159, which could be a big saving for those who can claim it back. Here's a rundown of the rules for discounts, as well as the terms to cancel and request a refund.
Who is entitled to a TV licence discount?
There are a few groups that could be eligible for a TV licence discount, and these include those who are severely blind, those over 75 years old who receive Pension Credit, and those residing in care homes.
People who are blind (severely sight impaired), or live with someone who is blind, could be entitled to a blind concession TV licence worth 50 percent less.This reduces the annual fee from £159 to £79.50 for a colour TV licence and £26.75 for a black and white TV licence.
A full TV licence currently costs £159. However, if you're 75 or older and receive Pension Credit, or live in a residential care home, you might be eligible for a free TV Licence. If you won't need your licence again before it expires and have at least one complete month left on it, you can request a refund. The TV Licencing website states that you have up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the TV Licence to apply for the refund.
If your TV licence has already expired, you can still apply for a refund within two years of the expiry date. You'll need to fill out a form and might have to provide evidence that you no longer need the licence.
Once you've submitted the form, the TV licensing company will let you know if you're eligible for a refund and calculate how much you'll get back. Refunds are usually calculated in full months and paid by cheque or directly into your bank account.
You can check when your licence expires by logging into your account with your licence number, name, and postcode. Even if you don't qualify for a refund, you can still cancel your licence online if you no longer need it.
How to cancel a TV licence
If you're sure you won't need a TV licence anymore, you can tell TV Licensing by filling out the refund and cancellation request form.
TV Licensing might then visit your home to check if you've made the right decision. They say that one in five households they inspect do end up needing a licence.
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If a licence is needed, the household will have to pay the full fee. If the inspectors find the household has been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, they may risk prosecution and a fine. The fine varies depending on location and can see people in the UK mainland hit with a maximum penalty of £1,000, while those in Guernsey could face fines of up to £2,000.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]