State pensioners aged 75 and over are entitled to a free BBC TV Licence if they or someone they live with receives Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The concession means eligible households pay £0 for their licence, saving £169.50 per year.
Who Qualifies for the Free Licence?
To qualify, you or your partner must be aged 74 or over and in receipt of Pension Credit. The licence holder can be either person in a couple. If your application is accepted, you will still need to pay for your TV Licence until your 75th birthday. After that, the licence is free for life.
TV Licensing states: "If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free licence when you are 74 years old. We'll update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, and then you'll be covered by your free licence. We'll confirm this in writing."
Pension Credit Increase and Additional Benefits
The DWP confirmed that Pension Credit will rise by 4.8% in 2026-27, making it worth an average of £4,300 a year. This benefit unlocks further support including help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills, NHS dental care, and free TV licences. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits.
According to the DWP: "Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses."
How to Apply
If you think you may be eligible for Pension Credit, it's worth checking. Seven out of 10 eligible pensioners already receive Pension Credit, and the average payment is over £83 per week. You might be eligible even if you have a pension, savings, or own your home.
To check eligibility, call the DWP on 0800 99 1234 (8am to 6pm) or visit gov.uk/pension-credit. For those in Northern Ireland, call the Northern Ireland Pension Centre on 0808 100 6165 or go to nidirect.gov.uk/pension-credit.
Special Provisions for Blind People
If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide appropriate evidence, you are eligible for a 50% concession on your TV Licence. Once your blind application is accepted, you can then apply for a free TV Licence if you also meet the age and Pension Credit criteria.
You may also be eligible to receive a refund for any remaining months on your current licence if you switch to the free scheme.
