DWP warns people are missing out on free TV licences - how to claim yours

The price of a TV licence has just risen to £169.50

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said thousands of people could be missing out on free TV licences.

You’re eligible for a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 and over and you claim Pension Credit from the DWP. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or to £332.95 if you’re in a couple. But as well as giving you a financial boost, it also unlocks other perks – such as the free TV licence for over-75s. An estimated 880,000 eligible households are missing out on Pension Credit.

A DWP update posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday reads: “With #PensionCredit you could get additional financial help, plus other support including a free TV Licence for over 75s.” It comes as the price of a TV licence rose from £159 to £169.50 on April 1.

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. Your income normally needs to be below these amounts to claim the standard minimum guarantee part of Pension Credit:

• Single: £218.15 a week
• Couple: £332.95 a week

In some cases, you might still be eligible if you have a higher income and you have a severe disability, you’re a carer or you have to pay housing costs, such as a mortgage. If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have savings or a second pension, you may be eligible for the savings credit element of Pension Credit, which is worth:

• Single: £17.01 a week
• Couple: £19.04 a week

You might get additional payments if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. Pension Credit can be backdated by up to three months, as long as you were eligible during that timeframe.