Free TV licences
Free TV Licences, funded by the Government, for everyone aged 75 or over ended on 31 July 2020. From 1 August 2020, anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit, is eligible for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC.
If you’re blind or in residential care, you can get a discounted TV licence.
If you are 75 or over
You can get a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and you either:
- get Pension Credit
- live with your partner who gets Pension Credit
The licence covers everyone living at your address.
You can apply when you’re 74 if you already get Pension Credit. You’ll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. After that you’ll be covered by your free licence.
For more information about Pension Credit contact: Northern Ireland Pension Centre
How to apply for a free TV licence
You can apply for a free licence online.
You can also apply by phone.
TV Licensing
Telephone: 0300 790 6071
Minicom: 0300 709 6050
Find out about call charges
If you’re in residential care or sheltered accommodation
You can get a concessionary TV Licence if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation.
You must be either:
- retired and over 60
- disabled
Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you.
If you’re registered blind
You can get a 50 per cent discount if you’re registered blind or live with someone who is.
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.
Apply for a licence if you’re registered blind on the TV Licensing website.