Over-75s should get a TV licence “amnesty” to help them through the second wave of Covid, a campaigner says.
Silver Voices chief Dennis Reed wrote to the Beeb demanding a six-month reprieve for those stripped of free licences this year.
Bosses delayed by two months imposing £157.50 fees on millions as the virus raged this summer.
And Mr Reed wants Director General Tim Davie to act again as “the same circumstances apply.”
He wrote: “Loneliness, fears for health... families and money, are taking a terrible toll on the mental health of senior citizens.
“The last thing they need are threatening, red-topped enforcement letters through the post.”
Free licences for over-75s were introduced by Labour in 2000.
But the Tories ditched an election vow to protect them and handed responsibility to the Beeb.
Only over-75s who receive Pension Credit are now eligible.
Mr Reed told the Mirror: “ Boris Johnson has ultimate responsibility for scrapping free TV licences and must insist on an enforcement amnesty and provide the funding to the BBC.
He adds: “We ask the BBC to agree a six-month amnesty to cover the second wave of the pandemic, during which no reminder and enforcement letters will be sent to households which previously received free licences.
“The BBC delayed implementation of charging the over-75s to cover the first lockdown for the reasons given in this letter, and the same circumstances apply now.”
Free TV licences for over-75s were introduced by Labour in 2000.
But instead of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the concession, millions of pensioners were robbed of the lifeline after the Conservatives ditched a promise to protect the benefit.
The party pledged at the 2017 election to maintain over-75s’ free licences for the rest of that Parliament, which was due to run for five years.
But the BBC had already been handed responsibility for funding the concession from June 2020, under a deal agreed in 2015.
It said keeping licences free for all over-75s would cost £745million by 2021-22.
Only over-75s who receive Pension Credit are eligible.
Mr Reed told the Mirror: “The Government must address this issue as part of its support package for the lockdown.
“Boris Johnson has ultimate responsibility for the scrapping of free TV licences and he must insist on an enforcement amnesty for the over-75s and provide the necessary funding to the BBC.
“Harassment of older people, for licence fees they cannot afford, will have a bad mental health outcome for many, which the Government has a responsibility to mitigate.”
The Government has criticised the BBC for means-testing.
The Mirror has fought to save the lifeline, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight by completing coupons in the paper.
The BBC said: “We have a range of measures to support people, including payment plans.”
