BBC TV Licence fee refund as UK households can claim £175

Every household in the UK is legally required to have a TV licence in order to watch or record live TV, regardless of what channel it is on.
However, many of us who have already purchased a TV Licence could be entitled to a refund if we do not watch or record live TV, and don't stream BBC iPlayer either.
You can apply for a refund if you won't need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it, due to not watching or recording live TV.
UK households could be eligible for a £159 refund on their TV licence costs (Image: PA)
You can apply for a refund on your TV licence here. Refunds are usually processed and issued within 21 days of application.
However, your refund may be delayed if you have to be contacted for more information.
Any refund will be paid by cheque or a BACS transfer directly into your bank account.
The amount you will be due in a refund will be worked out by TV Licensing, the organisation that issues TV licences.
They explain how they work out the amount you will be due here: 'Any refund due is calculated in unused months. You must have at least one complete month left on your licence that you won't need before it expires.
'So, you could get a refund for between one and 11 months, depending on how long you have left on your licence.
'You won't be eligible for a refund if there is less than one month between the cancellation date and the expiry date.
'If you haven't paid for your licence in full, its expiry date may be changed to reflect what you've paid.'
When do I need a TV Licence?
You do not need a TV Licence to watch:
streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
videos on websites like YouTube
videos or DVDs
You do need a TV Licence if you:
watch or record live TV on any channel or service
use BBC iPlayer
Am I eligible for a free TV Licence?
For those of us aged 75 or over who are in receipt of Pension Credit, the TV Licence can be obtained for free rather than costing £174.50.
Guidance from TV Licensing says: 'Free TV Licences are only available if you're 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, are receiving Pension Credit.
'If you think you're eligible for a free licence but can't apply online, please call 0300 790 6117* and speak to one of our advisors to request an application form (our lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday).
'Once we've received your application it may take a few weeks to process. If there are any problems we'll write to let you know. We may also call you if you have given us your phone number.
'There are separate arrangements in place for over 75s on the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Glasgow Times

7 hours ago

• Glasgow Times

Hundreds of jobs at risk as River Island plans store closures

The retailer has unveiled a radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The retailer has 230 shops across the UK (Ian West/PA) The family-owned retailer confirmed it is proposing to close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result. A further 71 stores are also at risk depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s. It has reportedly hired advisers from PwC in order to oversee the restructuring process. The proposals are set to go to a vote by the firm's creditors – companies or individuals owed money by the retailer – in August. The deal will result in fresh funding being invested into the business in order to help fuel its turnaround. Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. 'However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. 'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden. 'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability. 'Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business. 'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.' The retailer is among high street fashion chains to have been impacted by weaker consumer spending and competition from cheaper online rivals, such as Shein. River Island fell to a £33.2 million loss in 2023 after sales slid by 19%, according to its most recent set of accounts.

Western Telegraph

8 hours ago

• Western Telegraph

Hundreds of jobs at risk as River Island plans store closures

The retailer has unveiled a radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The retailer has 230 shops across the UK (Ian West/PA) The family-owned retailer confirmed it is proposing to close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result. A further 71 stores are also at risk depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s. It has reportedly hired advisers from PwC in order to oversee the restructuring process. The proposals are set to go to a vote by the firm's creditors – companies or individuals owed money by the retailer – in August. The deal will result in fresh funding being invested into the business in order to help fuel its turnaround. Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. 'However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. 'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden. 'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability. 'Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business. 'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.' The retailer is among high street fashion chains to have been impacted by weaker consumer spending and competition from cheaper online rivals, such as Shein. River Island fell to a £33.2 million loss in 2023 after sales slid by 19%, according to its most recent set of accounts.

Daily Mirror

12 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

BBC TV licence - four groups of people who don't need to pay £174.50 fee

You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything - whether it is live, or catch-up - on BBC iPlayer The TV licence fee has risen to £174.50 but there are specific groups of people who don't need to pay this, or can reduce their bill to zero. TV licence is paid either monthly, quarterly or yearly. You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything - whether it is live, or catch-up - on BBC iPlayer. ‌ This is the case even if you're watching something on a laptop, computer, tablet or phone. If you're caught watching TV programmes that require a TV licence, then you could be fined up to £1,000. ‌ The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey, plus any legal costs or compensation you may be ordered to pay. However, if you're watching shows on catch-up using streaming services that aren't BBC iPlayer. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 - then you don't need a TV licence. If you're tuning into live shows through these services, then you would need a TV licence. If you don't need a TV licence, you can fill in a declaration on the TV Licensing website. A message on the TV Licensing website reads: "We could visit your address to confirm if you need a TV licence. "If we find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine for not having a TV licence of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay." ‌ You can pay for and renew your TV licence over the phone, online, at any PayPoint, or with a TV Licensing payment card. Are you eligible for free or cheap TV licence? There are some specific groups of people who can get a free, or cheap, TV licence. Check below to see if you fall into one of these categories. Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit: People aged over 75 who are claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence. ‌ Students living away from home: Students who are living away from home may also be covered if their parents have a TV licence, but only if they're watching TV on a device that isn't plugged into the mains, such as a phone, tablet or laptop. People who are blind or severely sight-impaired: If someone in your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you'll get 50% off the cost of your TV licence. Residential care or sheltered accommodation: If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to apply for a concessionary TV licence which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.