Thousands of UK households could be due a significant refund on their TV Licence, with some eligible to claim back the full standard fee of £174.50. Certain individuals are also completely exempt from the payment or qualify for a permanently reduced rate.
Who Qualifies for a TV Licence Refund?
The TV Licensing authority states that you can apply for a refund if your circumstances change and you will not need your licence again before its expiry date. A key condition is that you must have at least one complete month left on the licence. Applications can be submitted up to 14 days before the date you stop needing it.
However, special rules apply for those eligible for specific concessions. If you qualify for an over 75 or blind concession, you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length of time remaining, regardless of the one-month minimum.
Available Discounts and Concessions
A range of discounts are available beyond the standard refund process. If you are registered as blind or severely sight impaired, or if you live with someone who is, you are entitled to a 50% discount, reducing the cost to £87.25. The licence must be registered in the blind person's name for the discount to apply.
For those aged 74 or over, a free TV Licence is available if you or your partner living at the same address are in receipt of Pension Credit. Residents in care homes or sheltered accommodation may pay a heavily reduced fee of just £7.50.
Other licence types include the black and white TV licence at £58.50. Most people spread the cost of the standard £174.50 licence via a Direct Debit, which can be as low as £14.54 per month.
How to Claim Your Refund
To start a refund claim, you will need to provide your existing TV Licence number. The process varies depending on your reason for applying, with specific forms for those who no longer need a licence and those claiming under a concession.
For businesses, a single TV Licence typically covers one property. Companies with multiple addresses will likely need several licences or a special Company Group TV Licence.
