TV and Telephone costs - TV and telephone costs

Television licence

You can get a discount on your TV licence if you’re blind or in residential care.  At present if you are 75 or over you are eligible for a free TV licence. However, from 1 June 2020 you also have to be getting Pension Credit to be entitled to a free licence, if you are 75 or over.

If you are registered blind with your local authority or live with someone who is, you qualify for a 50% reduction in the cost of your television licence. The licence has to be in the blind person’s name. If it isn’t, you can transfer it by calling TV Licensing on the number below.

For more details, contact TV Licensing website information on reductions for blind or severely sight impaired customers on: 0300 790 6071

You need a TV licence to watch or download BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer.

For more information, see the TV Licensing website information on BBC iPlayer and the TV licence

Telephone

BT Basic gives you a reduced price on your British Telecom (BT) telephone line rental and a small free call allowance every three months.

You can usually get BT Basic if you're claiming one of these benefits and are the named telephone account holder:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit)

Income-related Employment Support Allowance

Universal Credit (and are on zero earnings).

For more details, see the BT Basic information on the BT website or contact BT on 0800 800 864 (Mondays to Fridays 8.00 am - 6.00 pm.

Last updated: June 2019