DWP reminder as thousands could get free BBC TV Licence

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to remind thousands of Brits they could be eligible for a free TV licence, among a host of other perks. The fee was first introduced in June 1946, when television broadcasts resumed after the Second World War, and the landscape of TV has dramatically evolved since then.

Recently, streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have entered the scene. Since April 1, a TV licence costs £174.50 per year. But many people may not realise they don't need to fork out for theirs.

In updates on X, formerly Twitter, DWP says: "Could you be missing out on Pension Credit? It is worth on average £4,200 a year To receive payment and other benefits check your eligibility for Pension Credit and apply online".

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It's estimated that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it. As well as topping up person's income, it also provides access to freebies and other money-saving schemes. As well as a free TV licence for over 75s, these can include Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in, support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in, Council Tax discount, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport, help with heating costs, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.

Pension Credit tops up a claimant's weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

"Income" includes State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance. Benefits that do not count include Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

If you have savings, you may be eligible for Pension Credit if it is worth £10,000 or less. Every £500 in savings or investments you have over this amount will be counted as an extra £1 of income per week. More information is available on the Gov.uk website.