Exact date TV licence fee will rise next year – and how you can get one for FREE

MILLIONS of households will have to pay more for their TV licence next year, but there are ways that you can get your bill reduced.

The BBC licence fee will increase in line with inflation each year until 2027, rising in April 2025 to £174.50.

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It will be an increase of £5, or an extra 42p a month, after the last £10.50 rise brought the charge to £169.50 in April.

The annual fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with it being frozen for two years at £159 before it was increased earlier this year.

The household payment funds much of the BBC's operations and it can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually.

But there is one method of getting your TV licence fee reduced to nothing - if you're on Pension Credit and over a certain age.

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The Government benefit is available to pensioners and tops up your income to a minimum level.

But hundreds of thousands aren't claiming it when they could be, meaning they're missing out on an average £3,500 extra a year.

Not only does the benefit top up your income, it comes with a host of added perks too, including a free TV licence for those aged over 75.

Anyone claiming the benefit can apply for the TV licence discount via the TV licencing website or by calling 0300 790 6117.

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Check if you qualify for Pension Credit

Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner and can give you access to the winter fuel allowance.

This is known as "guarantee credit".

If your income is lower than this, you're very likely to be eligible for the benefit.

However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:

• Attendance allowance
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
• The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
• Armed forces independence payment
• The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

You could get the ";savings credit" part of pension credit if both of the following apply:

• You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
• You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension

This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.

Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions and the winter fuel payment.

How do I apply and how will I be paid?

You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.

You can make an application on the Government website or by ringing the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be with them when they do.

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

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• National Insurance number
• Information about any income, savings and investments you have
• Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age)

You can also get help with the application process through charities and non-profit organisations such as Independent Age and Age UK.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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