{"id":278825,"date":"2025-11-23T11:22:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T11:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/278825\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T11:22:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T11:22:08","slug":"brits-told-one-month-rule-could-mean-they-get-a-refund-on-their-174-tv-licence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/278825\/","title":{"rendered":"Brits told one-month rule could mean they get a refund on their \u00a3174 TV licence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The TV Licence fee has been a customary expense for many UK residents since its introduction in 1946 &#8211; but there are some situations where you can get a refund<\/p>\n<p>Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer<\/p>\n<p>06:00, 23 Nov 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-1443630157.jpg\" alt=\"Man watching TV\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>There are some instances in which you could get a refund for your TV Licence(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Brits are being reminded that they could be eligible for a refund on their <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BBC<\/a> TV Licence, provided they adhere to a one-month rule. If you no longer need a TV Licence from the BBC, you can request a refund, as long as there is at least one full month remaining on it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The TV Licence fee has been a customary expense for many UK residents since its introduction in 1946. At that time, the BBC was the only broadcaster in the country, and the licence cost \u00a32 &#8211; roughly equivalent to around \u00a3105 today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Despite significant shifts in television consumption, including the emergence of numerous channels, streaming and on-demand platforms, this annual charge persists. Following a price hike last year, it now stands at \u00a3174.50.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Even if you don&#8217;t watch any BBC channels, many households still need a licence. For instance, it&#8217;s required to:<\/p>\n<p>Watch or record programmes as they&#8217;re being broadcast live on any TV channelWatch live programmes on any online TV service &#8211; such as Channel 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">It&#8217;s also necessary to download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. However, there are four lesser-known situations where you can use your TV without needing to pay for a licence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">According to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/find-licences\/tv-licence\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Government website<\/a>, you do not need a TV Licence if you only watch:<\/p>\n<p>Streaming services like Netflix and Disney PlusOn-demand TV via services like All 4 and Amazon Prime VideoVideos on websites like YouTubeVideos or DVDs<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">If you only use your television for these specific purposes, there&#8217;s no need to fork out for a licence. Moreover, if you&#8217;ve already paid but this applies to you, you might be able to get some of your money back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvlicensing.co.uk\/check-if-you-need-one\/topics\/cancellations-and-refunds-top7\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TV Licensing website<\/a> clarifies: &#8220;You can apply for a refund if you won&#8217;t need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">You&#8217;re allowed to apply for a TV Licence refund up to 14 days before the date you no longer require it. Certain people are also exempt from paying for a TV licence or qualify for a reduced rate, thus they can apply for a refund.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re eligible for an over 75 or blind concession, you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length of time left on your licence,&#8221; the TV Licensing website further explains.<\/p>\n<p>For those aged 75 or over<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">According to the Government website, you can secure a free TV Licence if you&#8217;re 75 or older and either:<\/p>\n<p>Receive Pension CreditLive with a partner who receives Pension Credit<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">If you&#8217;re currently receiving Pension Credit, you can apply for a free TV licence when you turn 74. However, you&#8217;ll need to continue paying for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">From that point forward, your free licence will cover you. You can submit an application for a free licence online <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvlicensing.co.uk\/cs\/pay-for-your-tv-licence\/index.app\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you live in a care home<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">If you reside in residential care or sheltered accommodation, this entitles you to apply for a discount. Those living in a qualifying residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation can secure a TV Licence for \u00a37.50.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">To qualify, you must also be either:<\/p>\n<p>Retired and over 60Or disabled<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Your housing manager can confirm your eligibility and apply on your behalf.<\/p>\n<p>Registered as blind<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">If you&#8217;re registered as blind, or severely sight impaired, or live with someone who is, you can receive a 50 per cent discount. The licence must be registered in the name of the blind person &#8211; if it&#8217;s not, a new application can be made to transfer it into their name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">When applying, you&#8217;ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number. You can apply online <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvlicensing.co.uk\/cs\/pay-for-your-tv-licence\/index.app\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The TV Licence fee has been a customary expense for many UK residents since its introduction in 1946&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":278826,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[96,391,56,54,55,2932],"class_list":{"0":"post-278825","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-tv","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom","13":"tag-your-money"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278825"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278825\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/278826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}