TV Licence Simple Payment Plan 2026
For households who cannot afford the standard monthly Direct Debit. Smaller, more frequent payments. One built-in payment break each year. Same total cost (£180). No surcharge.
Annual cost
£180.00
no surcharge
Typical fortnight
£7.20
26 payments
Payment break
1 mo
built into plan
What the Simple Payment Plan is for
The Simple Payment Plan is the option TV Licensing rarely advertises but that is increasingly important for low-income households. Standard monthly Direct Debit requires roughly £15 from your bank account on the same date every month. For households on very tight budgets, particularly those on weekly or fortnightly benefits or unpredictable income, this fixed monthly outgoing can be the difference between staying compliant and falling into the enforcement system.
The Simple Payment Plan addresses this by breaking the annual fee into smaller, more frequent payments (typically fortnightly or weekly) and building in a payment-free month each year. The scheme was developed in consultation with debt-advice charities and is intentionally less rigid than the standard DD scheme. Crucially, the total annual cost is identical to any other payment method: £180 in 2026. There is no surcharge for using SPP.
Payment schedule options
Most SPP holders are placed on a fortnightly schedule of around £7.20 over 26 payments, with one month of the year payment-free (so effectively 24 payments spread over 12 months). Weekly schedules are also available at around £3.60 a week. The exact figure depends on the precise payment dates and the timing of the payment-free month.
The break month is normally aligned with your highest-expense period, usually December or January for households who struggle with Christmas and new-year costs. The break is built into the plan from the start, so the published weekly or fortnightly amount already accounts for it; you do not need to apply for the break each year.
Payment methods within the plan are flexible. Many SPP holders pay at PayPoint outlets using a Savings Card (described in our weekly payment guide), others pay by Direct Debit on a fortnightly cycle, and a smaller number pay by card online. The choice is yours and can be changed during the plan if your circumstances change.
Eligibility and how to apply
TV Licensing does not publish a fixed income threshold for the Simple Payment Plan. Eligibility is assessed case-by-case. Common situations that lead to acceptance include: income primarily from Universal Credit or other low-income benefits, recent failed standard Direct Debits indicating affordability problems, referral by Citizens Advice or a debt-management service, recent significant changes in household circumstances (job loss, bereavement, relationship breakdown), or already being in some form of payment plan with TV Licensing for a previous shortfall.
Apply by phone on 0300 555 0286 (the dedicated "help paying" line) or via the "help paying for your TV Licence" section of tvlicensing.co.uk. The application asks about your income, your existing payment method, and the difficulties you have had. The assessment is intended to be supportive rather than judgmental, but be prepared to discuss your circumstances honestly. There is no credit check, no formal income test, and no public record of the assessment.
If you are in a debt-management plan with a registered provider, ask your adviser to refer you to the SPP. TV Licensing prioritises applications routed through recognised debt-advice services because the underlying affordability assessment has already been done.
What happens if you miss a payment
Unlike standard Direct Debit, where one missed payment can trigger an enforcement sequence, the Simple Payment Plan is intentionally tolerant of occasional missed payments. TV Licensing will contact you (usually by letter) to discuss the missed payment and the reason. If the missed payment was a one-off, the simplest fix is to make a top-up payment and continue with the existing schedule.
If you are struggling more generally, the plan can be modified. Common modifications include: reducing the fortnightly amount and extending the plan duration, moving the payment date to better align with your income dates, switching from DD to PayPoint payments if your bank account is closing, or converting to a Savings Card while you stabilise. None of these modifications attract a surcharge or interest.
Prolonged non-payment without engagement is a different matter. If you stop paying for an extended period and do not respond to TV Licensing contact, the plan can be cancelled and you fall out of compliance the moment you continue watching live TV or BBC iPlayer. This routes you into the standard enforcement process, with possible fines of up to £1,000 under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. The best response to a payment problem is always engagement with TV Licensing, ideally with support from a debt-advice charity. See the enforcement guide for what to do if you have already received enforcement correspondence.
Comparison with other payment methods
| Factor | Simple Payment Plan | Monthly DD | Savings Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | £180 | £180 | £180 |
| Typical instalment | £7.20/fortnight | £15.00/month | £3.46/week+ |
| Built-in break | 1 month/year | No | You choose |
| Eligibility check | Yes, case-by-case | No | No |
| Missed-payment tolerance | High | Low | You manage |
| Best for | Struggling households | Steady budgeters | Cash budgeters |
See our full payment options guide for the comparison with annual lump-sum payment and quarterly Direct Debit.
Not legal advice
For your specific situation, contact TV Licensing directly on 0300 555 0286 or seek free advice from Citizens Advice or StepChange.