The corporation stripped older viewers of the right to watch for free two years ago, but more than 200,000 are still resisting demands to pay. Silver Voices said viewers over-75 have received warnings that they face prosecution for non-payment of the annual £159 bill.
Director Dennis Reed said the BBC is ignoring government calls for it to take steps to support people during the cost of living crisis.
He said after several months of “relative calm” where the majority over 75s who have been unable to pay their licence fees have been left alone or sent low-key reminders, TV Licensing is “turning the screw again”.
Members have reported receiving the standard TV Licensing letter threatening fines of up to £1,000 instead of letters urging them to seek help to pay.
He added: “The BBC has not changed its enforcement policies in any way to recognise the extreme hardship that many households are under as they try to cope with the surge in energy and food prices.
“What is the point of criminalising families over a debt of £159, when watching the TV will be one of the few pleasures they have over the festive period?
“The Government must now get tough with BBC executives and make very clear that if they continue prosecuting and threatening vulnerable families during the cost-of-living crisis, consideration of decriminalisation of licence fee evasion will be brought forward.”
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan believes the BBC should give older viewers who have failed to buy a TV Licence an amnesty from prosecution.
No enforcement or prosecutions against over-75s who previously held a free licence have been authorised so far.
More than nine out of ten households previously in receipt of a free TV Licence now have paid or have applied for an exemption.
Earlier this year, the government announced the £159 licence fee will be frozen for the next two years.
But the annual bill will continue until at least 2027 when the BBC’s royal charter is up for renewal.
Options to replace it will include subscription models or linking it to another household bill.
But previous attempts to find a new funding model have failed to get off the ground.
A TV Licensing spokesman said: “We are doing all we can to help people, particularly those in need of extra support. Anyone aged 75 and over and receiving Pension Credit is eligible for a free TV Licence.
“We offer further concessions and payment schemes which support people who fall into financial difficulty, and work with groups throughout the UK to raise awareness of the support available.”
