Over 75 tv license advice please

Mrs_G_

Posting for advice for my gran, she’s 91 and has been getting the free license for years and now that is getting scrapped she’s worried about paying it. She is blind and only has the tv for sound purposes, will she still have to pay it in full? She lives alone independently but this is an extra bill for her to worry about. Any advice please 

Cornucopia

The free Licence isn't being scrapped, it's being restricted.   If your Gran is in receipt of Pension Credit then she will be entitled to a free TV Licence going forward.   

There is some more information here, although it looks like the details of the new scheme have yet to be finalised:  https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/age?wt.mc_id=bbc_pr_o75_english

If she doesn't qualify for a free Licence under the new scheme, then there is a 50% discount for people who are registered blind.  https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/easy-read/what-to-do-if-you-are-blind-%28severely-sight-impaired%29

If she doesn't watch TV pictures at all, and only listens to sound then it's possible to configure a Set-top Box and Speakers such that no TV Licence is required at all.

D_n_B

I share your concern about the worry this is causing for elderly people. My 92 year old step father is in a similar position. Did you know that, if people live in a care home or supported accommodation the home can get an ARC concessionary license, which means each resident only has to pay £7.50. You can find more info here: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/care-home-residents-aud4. But, if the home hasn't already got this, it is likely to take beyond the end of July to get it, so what should residents then do? I spoke to someone at TV Licensing today and they told me that they will be writing to all over 75s during August and they don't need to worry about watching TV after the end of July, at least until they get the letter. they certainly don't need to pay for a full license before then. As far as I know this has not been publicised leaving elderly people worried unnecessarily. Perhaps MSE Martin Lewis could take this up with the relevant authorities?

JJ_Egan

Suggest you contact the MSE team other wise its just in the wind .

Swipe

Well, it's mid September now and my 81 year old mother has still not received a letter asking her to pay for an over 75s TV licence. The latest from them was to do nothing until you hear from them. Anyone else still yet to hear anything from them?

greyteam1959

My elderly Mum & Dad received their letter in August about having to pay for the licence.
88 & 89 years old.

Farway

Swipe said:

Well, it's mid September now and my 81 year old mother has still not received a letter asking her to pay for an over 75s TV licence. The latest from them was to do nothing until you hear from them. Anyone else still yet to hear anything from them?

Friend of mine only got the letter last week, I had mine over a month back