However, you may be surprised to discover that certain people could qualify for a reduced-price licence costing just £7.50. This special rate is exclusively available to residents in care homes or sheltered accommodation who satisfy one of two key requirements.
- Being retired and over 60
- Having a disability
« You can get a TV Licence for £7.50 if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, » official GOV.UK advice explains. « Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you. »
Additionally, it’s worth highlighting that further reductions are available to those registered as blind and people receiving Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Pension Credit differs from the State Pension. It’s a means-tested payment for those above State Pension age on limited income, increasing weekly earnings to £227.10 for single claimants or £346.60 for couples.
Those in receipt of Pension Credit can request a free TV Licence upon reaching 74, though they’ll still be liable for payment until the conclusion of the month preceding their 75th birthday. Beyond this milestone, they’ll be covered by the complimentary licence.
Additionally, people registered as blind, or those living with someone who is, are eligible for a 50% reduction on their TV Licence, lowering the cost of a colour licence to £87.25.
Government guidance continues: « The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number when you apply. »
What’s behind the licence fee increase?
The Secretary of State announced a 2.9% rise in the licence fee for 2024, effective from April 1, 2025, aligned with annual CPI inflation. The official TV Licensing website confirms this translates to a daily increase of just over 1p and represents only the second fee rise since April 1, 2021.
This adjustment has pushed the annual colour licence fee to £174.50, whilst the black-and-white licence now stands at £58.50 per year.
Going forward, licence fee increases will be linked to CPI inflation for the next four years, concluding in 2027.
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