Overview

• TV Licensing confirmed it now verifies Pension Credit status directly with the Department for Work and Pensions when processing applications.
• Guides published today set out refund scenarios, including moving to an address with a licence, duplicate licences, the licence holder dying, moving into care, moving abroad, or joining an eligible over‑75 household.
• Households that only use on‑demand services other than BBC iPlayer do not need a licence, a position reinforced by a June court case involving viewer Lee Stuart.
• The fee rose by £5 in April to £174.50, and anyone watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer still requires a licence with fines up to £1,000 for non‑compliance.
• After reports that an over‑75 on Pension Credit struggled to reclaim a past payment, TV Licensing contacted the individual to assist with their refund application.