A little-known TV licence rule could be saving 850,000 households in the UK a total of £135 million a year.
A little-known TV licence rule could be saving 850,000 households in the UK a total of £135 million a year. The rule states that those on Pension Credit are exempt from paying for a TV licence, which costs £159 a year until 2024. However, a large number of households who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it, and are therefore missing out on the free TV licence benefit. According to research by Policy in Practice, hundreds of thousands of households could save up to £159 a year by claiming the benefit.
Pension Credit is a benefit that is paid to those who have reached state pension age and are on a low income. It grants recipients £201 a week, with extra amounts available depending on their individual circumstances. To be eligible for Pension Credit, individuals must have a weekly income of less than £182.60 for single people or £278.70 for couples. The benefit can also be increased if the recipient is disabled, has caring responsibilities, or pays for certain housing costs such as mortgage interest payments.
There are two parts to Pension Credit; Guarantee Credit, which tops up a recipient’s weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level, and Savings Credit, which provides extra money if the recipient has saved money towards retirement. Additional Pension Credit is available for those who have caring responsibilities or are disabled.
To apply for Pension Credit, individuals can do so up to four months before reaching state pension age. The application process can be completed online, by phone, or by post. To apply, applicants will need their National Insurance number, and details about their income, savings, and investments.
It is important to note that although the benefit can be applied for any time after reaching state pension age, the application can only be backdated by three months. This means that eligible recipients can receive up to three months’ worth of the benefit in their first payment if they were eligible during that period, but anything beyond that will not be backdated.
In summary, the little-known TV licence rule could save eligible households up to £159 a year. Those who are on Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence, but many are missing out by not claiming the benefit. To claim Pension Credit, individuals can apply up to four months before reaching state pension age and can do so online, by phone, or by post.
Source: The Sun
TV licence in the UK
The TV licence is a fee that UK residents must pay in order to legally watch live television. The fee is currently set at £159 and is required for anyone who wants to watch live television broadcasts from channels such as the BBC, ITV, and Sky. While the licence fee has been a contentious issue for many years, it remains an important source of funding for the UK’s public broadcasting sector.
The TV licence fee was introduced in 1946, with the funds being used to support the fledgling British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). At the time, the licence fee was set at just £2 per year. Over time, the fee has increased to keep up with inflation, but it has remained a vital source of revenue for the BBC and other public broadcasters.
Despite the importance of the TV licence fee, there has been significant debate about its future in recent years. One of the key issues is the rise of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, which offer a wide range of content without requiring a TV licence. As a result, there are concerns that the TV licence fee may become irrelevant in the age of streaming.
Another issue is the fact that some people refuse to pay the fee, either out of principle or due to financial hardship. This has led to a growing number of court cases and fines being issued to those who do not pay the fee. Some argue that this is unfair, as not everyone can afford to pay the fee, while others argue that it is necessary to ensure that public broadcasting is adequately funded.
Despite these challenges, the TV licence fee remains an important part of the UK’s public broadcasting sector. In addition to supporting the BBC, the fee also helps to fund other public broadcasters such as Channel 4 and S4C. It also helps to ensure that high-quality programming is available to all UK residents, regardless of their income or social status.
For those who are struggling to afford the TV licence fee, there are some options available. For example, people who are over the age of 75 are entitled to a free TV licence, while those who are on certain benefits such as Pension Credit may also be eligible for a free licence. Additionally, there are payment plans available that allow people to pay the fee in installments rather than in one lump sum.
The TV licence fee remains an important part of the UK’s public broadcasting sector. While there are certainly challenges that need to be addressed, it is clear that the fee plays a vital role in ensuring that high-quality programming is available to all UK residents. As the broadcasting landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the TV licence fee adapts to meet these changes.
