TV Licensing

What is the TV Licensing Simple Payment Plan?

What is the Simple Payment Plan?

The Simple Payment Plan was created for those in financial difficulty.

Customers who qualify are able to choose from either a fortnightly or monthly payment plan that spreads the cost of a licence over 12 months, which is different to current payment plans. The Simple Payment Plan also offers flexibility if a payment is missed, as it can be spread across the remainder of the plan instead of having to pay double the amount next time. If payments are missed three months in a row, customers are removed from the Simple Payment Plan.

Who is eligible to join the Simple Payment Plan?

Customers are eligible for a Simple Payment Plan licence if they:

• have been visited by a TV Licensing Enquiry Officer to check if they need a licence.
• have previously held a licence that was cancelled within the last six months because of missed payments.
• are experiencing financial difficulties and are referred by a not-for-profit money advice organisation. We accept referrals from not-for-profit organisations such as charities or local authority money advice departments, but we cannot accept referrals from commercial organisations.
• have held a Simple Payment Plan licence within the previous 12 months.

If you would like to speak to someone about your finances, there are many not-for-profit organisations offering free, confidential and independent advice. Any not-for-profit organisation providing this service can refer you to us to join the Simple Payment Plan, and we’ve included contact details for some of these organisations below:

• Citizens Advice – visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau (you can find the address in the phone book) or go to adviceguide.org.uk (England and Wales) or cas.org.uk (Scotland).
• National Debtline – if you live in England, Wales or Scotland, call 0808 808 4000 or go to their website for advice and information.
• Advice NI – if you live in Northern Ireland, call 0800 028 1881 or go to their website for debt advice.
• Money Advice Scotland – if you live in Scotland, call 0141 572 0237 or go to their website to find details of debt advice in your area.
• StepChange Debt Charity (formerly the Consumer Credit Counselling Service) – call 0800 138 1111 or go to their website for debt advice throughout the UK.
• Credit Services Association – search for ‘credit services association’ in search engines for general help and advice on debt related matters.
• MoneyHelper – access to sources of free advice online or by telephone. If you live in England you can access Money Helper - Money Adviser Network and if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can access Money Helper Debt Advice Locator.
• Civil Legal Advice (CLA) – You may be able to get free and confidential advice from CLA as part of legal aid if you’re in England or Wales. Legal aid rules are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• The Insolvency Service – provides advice to the public on insolvency and redundancy.
• Christians Against Poverty – provides free debt counselling, call 0800 328 0006.

How are payments made on the Simple Payment Plan?

Customers who qualify can choose from either a fortnightly or monthly cash payment plan. Customers paying via this scheme can make payments:

• over the counter at any PayPoint store (or at a post office if you live in the Isle of Man)
• via the Simple Payment Plan website
• via the TVL Pay app - search for ‘TVL Pay’ in the app store on your mobile and you can download the app for free
• via a Paythru link sent to a smartphone via SMS
• over the phone

Alternatively, payments can be taken from a bank account via a monthly Direct Debit or by setting up a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA), where payments are taken from a debit or credit card monthly or fortnightly.

Find out other ways we can help if you are struggling to pay for your licence.

Why does my Direct Debit payment for TV Licensing appear as ‘Elderbridge’ on my bank statement?

Elderbridge is a wholly owned subsidiary of Target Group Ltd, the supplier for the TV Licensing Simple Payment Plan. If you have signed up to the Simple Payment Plan and pay by Direct Debit, the reference ‘Elderbridge Re: TV Licensing SPP’ will appear on your bank account.