DWP warns people are missing out on free TV licence - check if you are eligible

Thousands of people could be missing out on a free TV licence. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said certain people can claim extra financial help - including a free TV licence.

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you are in a couple. Getting Pension Credit means that you can also get other perks.

You are eligible for a free TV licence if you are 75 or over and claim Pension Credit. It is estimated that a huge 880,000 households are eligible for Pension Credit but are missing out.

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A DWP update posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday read: "With #PensionCredit you could get additional financial help, plus other support including a free TV Licence for over 75s." The TV licence fee rose from £159 to £169.50 on April 1, Mirror reports.

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?

You have to live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. Your income usually needs to be below these amounts to claim the standard minimum guarantee part of Pension Credit:

• Single: £218.15 a week

• Couple: £332.95 a week

You could still be eligible if you have a higher income and a severe disability or you are a carer or you have to pay housing costs, such as a mortgage. You could be eligible for the savings credit element of Pension Credit if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have savings or a second pension.

This is worth:

• Single: £17.01 a week

• Couple: £19.04 a week

You could claim additional payments if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. Pension Credit can be backdated by up to three months, as long as you were eligible during that timeframe.