Does Attendance Allowance Qualify for Free TV Licence
Attendance Allowance does not directly qualify you for a free TV licence. To get a free TV licence, you must be aged 75 or over AND receive Pension Credit. However, receiving Attendance Allowance can indirectly help it may boost your Pension Credit entitlement, which then unlocks the free licence.
The standard TV licence costs £180 per year. That’s a bill many older people on fixed incomes would rather avoid. So it’s understandable that so many Attendance Allowance recipients wonder whether their benefit covers it. The short answer is no but the full picture is more useful than that.
What Are the Current Free TV Licence Rules for Pensioners?
Since 1 August 2020, a free TV licence is only available if you meet both conditions below:
|
Condition |
Requirement |
|
Age |
75 or over (licence holder) |
|
Benefit |
You or your partner receives Pension Credit |
Both the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit elements of Pension Credit qualify. You don’t need to receive both either one is enough.
Before August 2020, every household with someone aged 75 or over received a free licence automatically. The BBC took over responsibility for funding the concession and restricted eligibility to Pension Credit recipients. Roughly 3.7 million over-75s lost their free licence as a result (according to the House of Commons Library).
Is There a Free TV Licence for Over 60s?
No. There is no free TV licence for over-60s. The age threshold is strictly 75 or over, and even then, Pension Credit is required. Some confusion arises from the ARC care home scheme (see below), which applies to residents aged 60 and over but that is a discounted rate of £7.50 per room per year, not a free licence.
Does Attendance Allowance Qualify for a Free TV Licence?
No Attendance Allowance does not directly qualify you for a free TV licence. TV Licensing confirms this clearly on its website. Attendance Allowance is not listed among the qualifying benefits, and receiving it alone will not trigger a free licence.
How Can Attendance Allowance Help You Get a Free TV Licence?
Attendance Allowance can trigger eligibility for Pension Credit through the Severe Disability Addition a premium added to Pension Credit for claimants who receive certain disability benefits, including Attendance Allowance, and who live alone (or whose partner also qualifies).
Here’s the indirect route:
- You receive Attendance Allowance (either rate)
- Attendance Allowance triggers the Severe Disability Addition to your Pension Credit
- Pension Credit entitlement is confirmed
- You apply to TV Licensing with your Pension Credit award letter
- Free TV licence is issued
Timing tip: If you’re 74 and already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free licence now. TV Licensing will cover payments through to your 75th birthday, then issue the free licence automatically.
According to DWP data (August 2024), around 7 in 10 eligible pensioners already receive Pension Credit. That means roughly 3 in 10 who qualify are still missing out often because they don’t realise Attendance Allowance has changed their entitlement. The average Pension Credit award is worth over £83 per week. To check eligibility, call the DWP on 0800 99 1234 (Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm).
What Other TV Licence Discounts Are Available?
50% Reduction for Registered Blind Claimants
If you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind), you qualify for a 50% discount bringing the cost down to £90/year. You must provide one of the following as evidence:
- Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
- BD8 certificate
- Local council registration document
- Ophthalmologist certificate
Note: Partial sight does not qualify. Apply at tvlicensing.co.uk or call 0300 790 6117.
The ARC Scheme for Care Home Residents
If you live in a qualifying residential care home, supported housing, or sheltered accommodation, you may be eligible for an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary licence at £7.50 per unit per year. You must be:
- Aged 60 or over and retired (or working no more than 15 hours/week), or
- Disabled
Your care home manager applies on your behalf you don’t apply individually.
What Are the New TV Licence Contact Numbers?
|
Purpose |
Number |
Hours |
|
Apply for / renew free licence |
0300 790 6117 |
Mon–Fri, 8:30am–6:30pm |
|
General TV Licensing enquiries |
0300 790 6071 |
Mon–Fri |
|
Pension Credit (DWP) |
0800 99 1234 |
Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm |
|
Northern Ireland Pension Centre |
0808 100 6165 |
Do You Need a TV Licence? What Counts?
You need a valid licence if you:
- Watch or record any live TV on any channel or device
- Stream or download content via BBC iPlayer (even catch-up)
- Watch live on services such as ITVX, Channel 4, or YouTube
You do not need a licence if you only watch on-demand content that isn’t BBC iPlayer for example, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+.
How Do You Apply for a Free TV Licence?
- Online: Visit tvlicensing.co.uk and apply directly TV Licensing will verify your Pension Credit status with DWP automatically in most cases
- By phone: Call 0300 790 6117 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–6:30pm)
- Check your name: The name on your TV licence must match the name held by DWP
If you’re currently paying for a licence and become eligible mid-year, you may receive a partial refund for unused months.
What Happens If Your Circumstances Change?
Notify TV Licensing promptly if:
- Your Pension Credit stops or is reduced
- You move house
- The licence holder passes away
- Your household composition changes
Failure to update your details may result in overpayment recovery.
What to Do If You Can’t Afford a TV Licence
If you don’t qualify for a free licence and are struggling to pay:
- Set up a monthly Direct Debit (from £15/month, with a £1.25 charge per payment)
- Use a TV Licensing payment card to spread weekly costs
- Ask Citizens Advice or National Debtline about the Simple Payment Plan (referral required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Attendance Allowance automatically give me a free TV licence?
No. Attendance Allowance alone does not qualify you for a free TV licence. The licence is only free if you are aged 75 or over and you or your partner receive Pension Credit. However, Attendance Allowance can indirectly boost your Pension Credit entitlement.
What is the free TV licence age threshold in 2025?
The age threshold is 75. There is no free TV licence for over-60s, despite a common misconception. The ARC care home concession applies from age 60, but that costs £7.50 per year it is not free.
Does Savings Credit qualify me for a free TV licence?
Yes. Both the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit elements of Pension Credit qualify. You do not need to receive both either element is enough, as confirmed by TV Licensing.
Can my partner’s Pension Credit get me a free TV licence?
Yes. If your partner lives at the same address and receives Pension Credit, you can qualify for a free TV licence even if the Pension Credit is not in your name.
How many pensioners are missing out on a free TV licence?
According to written evidence submitted to Parliament, only 62% of those eligible for Pension Credit were receiving it in 2023/24. That means roughly 38% of qualifying pensioners may be missing out on a free TV licence and other Pension Credit benefits worth an average of over £83 per week.
What if I’m 74 and already on Pension Credit?
You can apply now. TV Licensing will update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, after which the free licence activates automatically. You do not need to wait until you turn 75.
What evidence do I need to apply for a free TV licence?
TV Licensing verifies Pension Credit status directly with DWP in most cases no paperwork needed. Ensure the name on your TV licence matches your DWP records.
Can I get a refund if I qualify partway through the year?
Yes. If you become eligible mid-licence year, TV Licensing will process a refund for any unused months as part of your application.
What is the Attendance Allowance rate in 2026/27?
The 2026/27 Attendance Allowance rates are £76.70 per week (lower rate) and £114.60 per week (higher rate), both increased by 3.8% from 2025/26 levels, according to GOV.UK’s published benefit rates.
Is the free TV licence being scrapped?
No. As of 2025, there are no confirmed plans to scrap the free TV licence for qualifying over-75s on Pension Credit. TV Licensing has addressed this directly on its website in response to circulating scam messages claiming otherwise.
