The Change in TV Licences for those aged over 75yrs.

There are approximately 4.5 million people in the UK benefit from free TV licences by being over the age of 75.  This has been in place since Nov. 2000.  Now, changes to the over 75 TV licence will come into effect from 1st August 2020.

** No one will be expected to pay for a new licence until they have been contacted by a letter from TV Licensing and either claimed a free licence or agreed a payment plan. For now, if you are over 75 ignore any emails or letters you receive asking you to pay your TV licence as they may be a scam. **

Under the new scheme, anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit will be eligible to apply for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC. Pension Credit can be in the name of the licence holder, or in their partner’s name if they are a couple living at the same address.
If Pension Credit is not received – either in the licence holder’s name or their partner’s name if they are a couple – the TV Licence will need to be paid for.

If you already have a free over 75 licence you will be covered until 31 July 2020. You don’t need to do anything just yet. They will be writing to all free over 75 licence holders from early August to let you know how you may be affected and what you will need to do next.

Applying now (if your birthday is before 1 August 2020).

To apply for a free over 75 TV Licence to cover you until 31 July 2020, please have the following details ready:

• Your date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Name and address including postcode
• Current TV Licence number

You will get a short-term licence to cover you until your 75th birthday. This lets you pay for the months you have left until you turn 75. You’ll then receive a free over 75 licence to cover you until 31 July 2020.

If you’re already 75, or will turn 75 before 1 August 2020, you can apply for a free TV Licence to cover you up until 31 July 2020 using the form HERE.
You don’t automatically get a free over 75 TV Licence when you turn 75 – you must apply for one.

You can apply for a free over 75 TV Licence if you:

• are the current licence holder,
• want to transfer the licence into your name,
• want to apply on behalf of a friend or relative

If there is more than one person aged 75 living at your address, one licence covers your household, regardless of who lives there. So only one of you needs to apply.

If you turn 75 on or after 1 August 2020 and you are not receiving Pension Credit, they will not be able to issue you a free licence under the new policy. Therefore, it is recommended that you continue paying for the licence you currently have, rather than getting a short-term licence.

AgeUK handed in 634.334 signatures in their petition to save free TV licences.  You can still object by writing to West Dorset’s MP, Chris Loder at chris.loder.mp@parliament.uk or messaging him through his Facebook page HERE or Tweet him a message on Twitter HERE

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