Keeping up with your TV Licence payments is important if you want to be able to continue watching TV in your home but with so many other household bills to think about, it can be difficult to keep track.
If you are struggling to keep up with TV Licence payments, you may qualify for some extra help in the form of a TV Licence Simple Payment Plan to help you spread the cost of your monthly payments. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the TV Licence Simple Payment Plan including what it is, how it works, and how to qualify.
What is a TV Licence?
In the UK, a TV Licence provides households with the legal rights to watch any channel as it’s being broadcast live or stream programmes live on an online TV service such as ITV Hub, All4, or Amazon Prime Video. This includes programmes watched on all devices including a television, games console, mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
Since 1991, the BBC has been responsible for enforcing the payment of the TV Licence fee which is collectively put towards the funding of activities for the broadcaster’s catalogue of channels, websites, and online streaming services.
However, since the explosion of online streaming and catch-up services, there has been some confusion over what you need a TV Licence for. Generally, you need a TV Licence in your household to do any of the following:
- Watch or record TV on any channel
- Watch TV via an online streaming service
- Watch BBC programmes on iPlayer
How much does a TV Licence cost?
The cost of a TV Licence is the same for every household in the UK and costs £159 a year.
However, you may be able to qualify for a discounted or free TV Licence if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Aged 75 and over – you and your partner may qualify for free TV Licences if you live at the same address and receive Pension Credit
- Live in a care home or sheltered accommodation – you may be eligible for a discounted fee of £7.50 a year
- Blind or severely sight impaired – you may qualify for a 50% discount (£79.50 a year)
- Only watch black and white TV – the annual TV Licence fee is £53.50 a year
How do I pay for a TV Licence?
Most people choose to pay for their TV Licence through a Direct Debit payment plan in monthly instalments (from £13.25 a month) but paying annually or quarterly is also an option. This can be done in a number of ways, including:
- Direct Debit
- Credit or debit card
- TV Licensing payment card
- Cheque
- BACS bank transfer
How does the TV Licence Simple Payment Plan work?
The TV Licence Simple Payment Plan is designed to help people in financial difficulty pay for their TV Licence through an easier, more affordable monthly payment plan.
People that qualify for the Simple Payment Plan can choose between a fortnightly or monthly payment that spreads the cost over 12 months for lower monthly payments. With the Simple Payment Plan, most payments average around £3 a week and can be made in a number of ways including:
- Over the counter at a PayPoint store
- On the free TVL Pay app
- On the Simple Payment Plan website
- Over the phone
- Direct Debit
- Continuous Payment Authority (CPA)
Eligible households will also benefit from extra flexibility with missed payments simply spread across the remainder of the term as opposed to added onto the next month’s amount. However, customers can only miss a total of three payments in a row before they are removed from the Simple Payment Plan.
Am I eligible for the Simple Payment Plan?
You are eligible for the Simple Payment Plan if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You have been visited by a TV Licensing Enquiry Officer
- You held a TV Licence in the past six months that was cancelled due to missed payments
- You are experiencing financial difficulties and have been referred by a not-for-profit organisation (charity or local council advice department)
- You have held a Simple Payment Plan licence at some point within the past 12 months
What happens if I don’t pay my TV Licence?
Because TV Licence payments are classed as priority debts, there can be serious consequences for failing to pay your TV Licence or watching or recording live TV without a valid licence.
TV Licensing will usually send you a letter and visit your address if they suspect you may be watching live TV without a licence. If they can prove that you have been watching TV illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 excluding legal fees.
There is a common misconception that you can be put in prison for failing to pay your TV Licence but this is untrue. The only time this can happen is as a last resort if the court has attempted to recover the fine multiple times through various different methods and you have refused to pay up each time.
Can I cancel my TV Licence?
You may be able to cancel your TV Licence if you no longer watch or record live TV, watch live online streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer. This can be done by visiting the TV Licensing website or by calling TV Licensing on 0300 555 0286 if you pay with a payment card or 0300 790 0368 if you pay by Direct Debit.
Similary, you may be able to request a refund if you don’t plan to use your TV Licence again before it expires and you have at least a month left on it or your licence expired less than two years ago.
However, if you’re moving home within the UK, you don’t need to cancel your TV Licence and can simply move your address to continue watching TV in your new home. This can be done up to three months before you move.