The free TV licence scheme for people aged 75 or over changed in August 2020. You can only apply for a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, is getting Pension Credit. This can be Savings Credit or Guarantee Pension Credit.

The TV licence can be in your name or in someone else’s name if you’re living at the same address, but the licence holder must be aged 75 or older and in receipt of Pension Credit.

How to apply

You won’t get a free licence automatically. You need to apply online or by phone. You’ll also need to send proof that you – or the licence holder, if that is not you – are getting Pension Credit and are aged 75 or over. You can prove this with a copy of one of the following from the past 12 months:

• your decision letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Pension Service
• your Pension Credit Uprating letter
• your Proof of benefit letter from the DWP
• a Warm Home Discount letter.

If you get a free TV licence, it covers you and anyone else you live with, no matter how old they are. If the licence at your address is in someone else's name, you’ll need the current licence number when you apply for your free licence.

If no one in your household is receiving Pension Credit, you’ll need to pay for your TV licence.

To find out if you qualify for Pension Credit, use our benefits calculator or call our Helpline to arrange to speak to an adviser.

If you’re registered as severely sight impaired (blind), you can apply for a 50% discount on your TV licence. The licence will also cover anyone else who lives with you. You can find out how to apply on the TV licensing website.

You’ll need to send a copy of one of the following:

• a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
• a BD8 certificate
• a certificate or document from your local council that shows you’re registered as severely sight impaired (blind)
• a certificate from an eye specialist, stating that you’re severely sight impaired (blind). This must be completed by the consultant ophthalmologist.

See the full list of acceptable documents on the TV Licensing website.

You won’t be able to get a discount if you’re sight impaired (partially sighted).

If you need information in Braille or audio, or you need other adjustments because of a disability, contact TV licensing on 0300 790 6076.

You can apply for a TV licence on the TV Licensing website or by post, phone or at any PayPoint. There are different ways to pay. If you find it difficult to pay for your licence, you could spread the costs by setting up a Direct Debit or using a TV licensing payment card.

In some situations, you may qualify for a Simple Payment Plan. You can’t apply for this yourself – you need a referral from certain charities or debt advice agencies. These include Citizens Advice, National Debtline and Money Advice Scotland. You can find local debt advice agencies on the MoneyHelper website. Call our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789 for more information.

If you watch television without a valid TV licence, you may be prosecuted. Contact TV Licensing and ask them to help you work out the best way for you to pay. TV Licensing has more information about what to do if you're struggling to pay.

Scammers sometimes target TV licensing customers. They may call you or send letters, emails or texts telling you that:

• your licence is about to expire
• you need to make an urgent payment, or
• you’re entitled to a refund.

Scams can be very convincing. TV Licensing has advice on how to spot and report a TV licence scam.

To find out more about how you can protect yourself and what to do if you have been scammed, visit our scams pages.