DWP gives free TV licence reminder as price to rise to £169 a year
14.03.2024 - 17:49
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Thousands of people across the UK have been reminded by the Dpeartment of Work and Pensions that they could be eligible for a free TV licence - but haven't claimed it.
The DWP has issued a reminder to those aged 75 and over who also claim Pension Credit. It comes as the price of a TV licence is set to rise from £159 a year to £169.50 from April.
Pension Credit is a benefit that provides extra cash for those over the age of state pension who are on a low income. While Pension Credit is currently worth £201.05 (single) or £306.85 (for couples), it can provide other perks and financial support.
Read more: Thousands of Brits could be missing out on £400 every month
The DWP told its followers on X, formerly Twitter: "#PensionCredit could give access to extra support, including help with energy costs and a free TV Licence for over 75s."
The government department estimated 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit in the UK. TV watchers are obliged to pay for a licence if they watch or record live programmes on any channel.
This also applies for programmes watched on a computer, tablet, and smartphone. If someone is caught without a TV licence, they could face a fine of up to £1,000.
While a TV licence is also required to use BBC iPlayer, it is not required for streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, ITVX, Disney Plus and YouTube.
The licence fee is used to support the BBC's television, radio, and online content services. This is also the reason adverts are not show on the BBC's TV channels, excluding sponsorships and product placements.