Pension Credit claimants can get free TV licence - here's how to do it

dailystar.co.uk:

hundreds on bills.TV licences are important for older generations and the traditional style of watching the normal TV schedule is far more common among older viewers.A Statista survey found that 93% of UK viewers aged 56 years and above watched 'linear' TV on a weekly basis, meaning they follow the normal TV schedule.Despite this, TV licences can feel overly expensive for some less well off people, costing viewers £159 a year per household.With that now a significant expense as energy bills go up in April, along with food prices affected by inflation, some pensioners will benefit greatly from not having to pay their licence.So how can they make sure they save money?If you are over 75 years old and receive Pension Credit, you are able to claim a free TV licence.

This covers your household, so if you live with other people, they do not have to pay for the licence.TV licences used to be free for everyone over the age of 75, but it was announced on August 1, 2020 that this would change to just include people claiming Pension Credit.Pension Credit is a benefit for people over the state pension age and tops up a person's income if they are finding it difficult to make ends meet.On Guarantee Credit, you are eligible for a top-up to £177.10 weekly if you're single, or £270.30 if you are in a couple.The second part of Pension Credit is Savings Credit.

Age UK explained: "Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or your income is higher than the basic State Pension.

It's only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016."Those who are over 75 years old and claim Pension Credit need to apply to have a free TV licence.While a useful scheme for those on Pension Credit, the free licences are not.