{"id":100018,"date":"2024-12-20T17:47:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T17:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=100018"},"modified":"2024-12-20T17:47:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T17:47:21","slug":"households-free-tv-licences-pension-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/households-free-tv-licences-pension-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 42,500 Households to Receive Free TV Licences Thanks to Pension Credit Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)<\/strong> has issued an important update about free TV licences<\/strong> for pensioners in the UK. As of the latest figures, over 42,500 households<\/strong> are now eligible to receive a free TV licence<\/strong>, thanks to their claim for Pension Credit<\/strong>. This benefit, amounting to \u00a33,900<\/strong> annually, provides qualifying individuals access to various forms of support, including the BBC\u2019s free licence for over-75s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pension Credit : A Crucial Benefit for Pensioners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pension Credit<\/strong> is a key benefit for pensioners, providing additional financial support to those in need. The benefit has two main components: Guarantee Credit<\/strong> and Savings Credit<\/strong>. Guarantee Credit<\/strong> ensures a minimum income level, while Savings Credit<\/strong> offers extra support to those with additional savings or income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the 2024\/25<\/strong> period, Guarantee Credit<\/strong> is set at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a3218.15 per week<\/strong> for single claimants<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
\u00a3332.95 per week<\/strong> for couples<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, eligible claimants may receive extra financial assistance through premiums<\/strong>, which are supplementary allowances depending on individual circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eligibility for Free TV Licence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pensioners<\/strong> aged 75 or older<\/strong>, who receive Pension Credit<\/strong><\/a>, are entitled to a free TV licence<\/strong>. This exemption from the usual \u00a3157.50<\/strong> annual cost of a TV licence<\/strong> helps reduce the financial strain on older individuals. The BBC<\/strong> provides over 700,000<\/strong> free licences annually to pensioners who meet these criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DWP\u2019s most recent data reveals that 42,500<\/strong> more households have recently qualified for Pension Credit<\/strong>, which in turn gives them access to the free TV licence<\/strong>. This increase highlights the growing number of pensioners benefiting from the scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Apply for Pension Credit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pensioners wishing to check their eligibility for Pension Credit<\/strong> can call the DWP<\/strong> at 0800 99 1234<\/strong>. The service is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm<\/strong>. Alternatively, they can visit the official government website at gov.uk\/pension-credit<\/strong> for more information and to begin their application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional Benefits of Pension Credit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the free TV licence<\/strong>, Pension Credit<\/strong> offers a range of additional benefits that can significantly ease financial burdens for pensioners. These benefits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Full Housing Benefit<\/strong> and Council Tax Support<\/strong>: Helps reduce living costs for those with low incomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Low-Income Cost of Living Payments<\/strong>: Direct financial support for managing daily expenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Funeral Payments<\/strong>: Assistance with funeral costs when needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Budgeting Loans<\/strong>: Interest-free loans for necessary household items or urgent repairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Cold Weather Payments<\/strong>: Aids with heating costs during periods of extreme cold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Warm Home Discount Scheme<\/strong>: Discounted electricity bills for qualifying pensioners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In total, the combined value of these benefits helps alleviate many of the financial challenges faced by pensioners, improving their overall quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further Support for Pensioners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pension Credit<\/strong> recipients may also qualify for additional forms of assistance that enhance their financial stability. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong>: An annual payment to help with heating costs, especially during winter months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Free Eye Tests<\/strong> and NHS Services<\/strong>: Access to essential healthcare services without charge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Travel Discounts<\/strong>: Reduced rates for bus travel and, in some cases, rail services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These additional supports make it easier for pensioners to meet their basic needs, even when their income is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over 42,500 UK households are now eligible for a free TV licence through their claim for Pension Credit. This financial support, worth up to \u00a33,900 annually, helps pensioners access vital benefits, including the BBC\u2019s free TV licence offer for over-75s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":100044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100018"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100050,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100018\/revisions\/100050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
For those in Northern Ireland<\/strong>, the contact number is 0808 100 6165<\/strong>, with more details available on nidirect.gov.uk\/pension-credit<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n