TV licence fees rise today but some state pensioners will not pay anything – check now | Personal Finance | Finance

TV licence rules made headlines last year as it was detailed that three million over-75s were set to lose their entitlement to free licences over funding issues. Today, the licence fee costs will rise but some state pensioners will not need to pay anything at all.

To be eligible for pension credit, a person must be living in England Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age, which is currently sitting at 66.

Pension credit eligibility is based on a person’s income in retirement and top ups will be awarded to those who have a weekly income of £173.75 or less if they’re single, or £265.20 for those in partnerships.

The Government details a person’s income can include state pensions themselves, private pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits.

Pension credit will top up weekly income to the £173.75 and £265.20 levels and extra amounts will be awarded to those who have other responsibilities and costs, with these extra payments being known as guarantee credit.

Pension credit claims can be started up to four months before a person reaches their state pension age.

It’s possible to apply for pension credit any time after reaching state pension age but applications can only be backdated by up to three months.

The quickest way to apply is online but it is also possible to claim over the phone or through the post.

Should a claimant disagree with the DWP’s decision on their claim, they can challenge it under mandatory reconsideration rules.