83 year old still paying TV licence

Stuart_W

I wonder if anyone has experience of this.

My in-laws are still paying by monthly direct debit for a TV licence. They are both 83. It should have been free for the past 8 years, but I understand you need to apply. They never have.

They are completely off line and paper based. I am actually astonished they ever set up a direct debit.

Are past funds in any way reclaimable? I presume not but just wondered if anyone had any experience of this?

fatbelly

Only free if someone is over 75 AND on Pension Credit

https://www.gov.uk/free-discount-tv-licence

elsien

The free TV licence for all over 75s ended in 2020.

Stuart_W

Thank you both, I missed that change as it doesn't apply to me and my parents both died before reaching 75.

Irritatingly, they could receive pension credit (and attendance allowance for that matter) IF they applied. 🙄

My wife has a PoA set up but her dad doesn't want it acting upon yet. It's a tricky line to tread.

Farway

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81959352#Comment_81959352

I was in same situation ref eligible for pension credit & not applying with a relative. Eventually we persuaded them to apply, with others completing the form online for them. Got the PC, and relative still will not apply for free TV licence, free NHS dentistry or other things available.

You can lead a horse to water etc. Tricky indeed

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81959416#Comment_81959416

I expect it's a "pride" thing, they've always paid their way, and so want to continue to do so, even though they don't need to.

fatbelly

IIf they can get AA and PC they should get a severe disability premium

As well as the above they would get automatic cold weather payments, and help with glasses, transport to NHS appointments and automatic maximum council tax reduction

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81959416#Comment_81959416

When discussing situations like this with reluctant individuals I have pointed out that they have paid into a system for years, spent money raising their children, supported others through their good work and charity and that there is no shame in being on the receiving end for once. Some continue to be stubborn but others are more willing when the "swings and roundabouts" are pointed out to them.

iniltous

There was a post , possibly on here , customer over 75 paying for a TV licence because they didn’t apply for a free one , if memory serves they were offered a few months refund to the start of their current renewal, so depending on the actual dates upto 11 months , but could be much less if the new license has just started , but no refund for the years before …that poster was claiming they were going to take TVL to court etc (small claims), but if they have come back with an outcome of their case (good or bad ) I haven’t seen it , perhaps they were just taking ‘big’ and not actually acting .

their argument was TVL should make more effort to find over 75 year olds , especially in his case where they had a DD which renewed annually, so wasn’t really taking notice, TVL told him it’s the customers responsibility to claim when they qualify, so (for example) if the current licence started 8 months ago , those months can be recovered by contacting TVL , but don’t expect the refund to go any further back than that .

mta999

Would TVL have any means of finding people over 75 who are on pension credit?

grandadgolfer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961101#Comment_81961101

They can put these to good use again 🤣