A TV licence is needed in the UK to watch or record any programmes as they are being broadcasted live on television. It is also needed to watch or stream live programming on an online TV service, such as BBC iPlayer or Sky Go. As the country’s public broadcaster, the BBC is responsible for dealing with the administration of collecting TV licence fees.
Someone who is blind must provide at least one of a series of documents to verify that they are registered as legally blind.
These documents can include either a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI), a BD8 Certificate, a letter from an eye surgeon confirming their blindness and a certificate from someone’s Local Authority.
After this information has been initially handed over to be checked, it will not need to be provided again for additional analysis when renewing a TV licence.
Anyone who is partially sighted or visually impaired will not qualify for a 50 percent discount off their television licence bill.
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However, applicants who live with someone who is blind will be able to apply for the discount, regardless of their age.
People who already own a television licence, but it is not in the name of the person who is blind, will need to transfer the licence into their name to qualify for the discount.
This can be done by completing a first time blind application, which can be picked up via the TV licensing website.
As part of the form, applicants will need to enter their existing TV Licence number for their address as part of the process.
Aside from people who are blind, other vulnerable groups across the country are also eligible for discounts to their TV licences.
Britons who are aged 75 or over, and are receiving Pension Credit, should be eligible to apply for a free TV Licence, which is paid for by the BBC.
Pension Credit, a benefit which allows people over the state pension age to get more financial support if they are on low income, can be claimed in either licence holder’s name or their partner’s.
Furthermore, any care home resident may be able to get a discount of £7.50 on their television licence fee.
This is because care home residents, as well their staff and families, need a separate licence for their own living area, which can prove to be quite costly.
Anyone who believes they meet any of the above criteria for a discounted TV licence is encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.
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