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TV licence discount for blind people

If you or someone you live with is registered blind, you can get 50 per cent off the cost of your TV licence. This means a colour licence will cost £67.75.

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you'll need to transfer the licence into their name.

You can do this by contacting TV Licensing.

Telephone: 0844 800 6790

Minicom: 0844 800 6778

How to apply
To claim the TV licence discount for blind people, you will need to provide a photocopy of the certificate from your local authority or opthalmologist stating that you are registered blind.

Post this certificate along with your licence renewal notice (if you have one) and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

TV Licensing
Blind Concession Group
Bristol BS98 1TL

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV Licence number (if you have one).

In Northern Ireland, the certificate or document must be issued by or on behalf of a Health and Social Services Trust. In the Isle of Man, it must be issued by or on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Services.

Backdating your TV licence discount
If you have only recently found out about the discount, refunds are available for previous years backdated to 1 April 2000. You will have to prove that you had a television licence and were registered blind during the relevant period.

Contact TV Licensing for more information.

Renewing your discounted TV licence
Once you have proved that you are registered blind, you won't need to do so again. However, you must continue to renew your licence every year.

You can renew your licence online on the TV Licensing website.

• Renew your TV licence on the TV Licensing website Opens new window

Concessionary TV licence for people living in residential care

If you live in residential care, you may be entitled to an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary TV licence, which costs £7.50 a year.

The ARC concessionary licence is available to people living in certain types of residential care accommodation who are retired and aged over 60, or disabled.

Your housing manager will be able to tell you whether your accommodation is eligible for the ARC concessionary licence. They will also be able to apply for a licence on your behalf.

You will only need a TV licence if you watch TV in your own separate living area. It is the responsibility of the housing manager to make sure that TVs in common areas are correctly licensed.

If you have a full TV licence and you move into residential care, you may be able to claim a refund for any months remaining in the year. Your housing manager should apply to TV Licensing for a refund on your behalf.