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(Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\nWhile most households must pay the TV license if they watch live TV, older state pensioners can cut the cost to \u00a30(Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n
TV licence costs are one of the most controversial taxes in the UK – along with the likes of Inheritance Tax – which can leave pensioners in particular trying to search for ways to make ends meet on their weekly state pension.<\/p>\n
Despite the surge in popularity of streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video, the TV licence is still required for nearly all households, as watching any live programme as it’s broadcast, or any BBC<\/a> show, obligates you to pay the charge which is now set at \u00a3174.50, reports Express.co.uk.<\/a><\/p>\n While some are happy to fund the BBC and the free-to-air broadcast infrastructure the TV licence funds, others are increasingly asking why they are paying up for something they find themselves not using.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Warning over rise of DWP pension age in the future<\/a><\/p>\n Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp<\/a>, click the link to join<\/p>\n There’s never been a better time to see if you can cut the costs of your TV licence, possibly all the way to \u00a30, depending on your income and personal circumstances, according to the rules set by TV Licensing.<\/p>\n State pensioners don’t automatically qualify for a TV licence that’s free.<\/p>\n Instead, they need to be aged 74 or over, with an income beneath a certain threshold.<\/p>\n Your income also needs to be low enough to qualify for Pension Credit<\/a>.<\/p>\n The benefit is given to those who have less than \u00a3227.10 per week income (\u00a3346.60 for a couple), based on the new rates which were introduced in April.<\/p>\n Anyone who hit state pension age before April 2016, will be on the old basic state pension, which only pays \u00a3176.45, unless you have other top ups like the Pre-97 Additional State Pension.<\/p>\n Therefore, unless you have other income or savings, everyone on the old state pension will be eligible to claim Pension Credit.<\/p>\n This is not automatic, and it must be claimed from the DWP<\/a> with an application.<\/p>\n In turn, those who are claiming Pension Credit will be able to apply for a free TV licence.<\/p>\n If you were already claiming Pension Credit, you can make your free TV licence application aged 74, instead of waiting until you’re 75.<\/p>\n TV Licensing says: “You can apply for a free TV licence if you, as the licence holder, are 75 years or older AND you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit<\/a>.<\/p>\n