DWP issues update on free TV licences for more than one million Brits
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has urged older Brits to check whether they are eligible to claim Pension Credit as some claimants may be able to claim a free TV Licence.
Pension Credit is a benefit paid to low income state pensioners which tops up your weekly income to £201.05, or to £306.85 if you’re in a couple - these payments are set to rise in April this year. But as well as giving you extra cash, Pension Credit is also known as a gateway benefit for other financial help. One of the extra perks claimants can get is a free TV Licence if they are over the age of 75 years.
Households who watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, need to pay for a TV licence and this includes whether you watch on a TV, PC, laptop, tablet, or phone. You also need a TV Licence if you use BBC iPLayer - even if only watching shows on catch up.#
Currently, a TV Licence costs £159 a year but this is due to increase in April to £169.50 in April of this year. The rising cost of living has hit millions of Brits hard including many state pensioners. To combat the rising costs, many are looking at ways they can reduce their outgoings. If you are eligible to claim Pension Credit - then with the TV licence alone, you will see a nearly £170 boost to your finances.
In a recent post on X - formerly Twitter - the DWP said: “With #PensionCredit you could get additional financial help, plus other support including a free TV licence #HelpForHouseholds" Alongside the post, the DWP shared an image which said that 1.4million households are currently getting the benefit.
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One 78-year-old grandmother Yvonne Bailey from Witney in Oxfordshire recently shared that her free TV Licence - which she got through claiming Pension Credit - had made a "huge difference to her life as it helped her feel "less isolated" as she lives alone.
She said: "It means a lot. Living alone I've got my dog Daisy for company and whether I'm watching TV or not, it's on because the house doesn't feel so lonely then. It's like you've got people there chattering in the background so it keeps you connected and keeps your brain active."
How to claim Pension Credit
You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Gov.uk website, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form. You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be with them when they do.
You will also need the following information on you before applying:
- Your National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
- Your bank, building society or credit union account details
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