Free TV licence for over 75s will continue until end of year in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney
Free TV licences for the over 75s will continue in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney until the end of the year.
The BBC will continue to cover the cost until 31 December 2020.
Islanders who already receive a free TV licence will have them extended automatically from the end of July.
In Jersey, islanders over the age of 75 can continue to have their TV licence covered from 2021 by applying to an existing benefit scheme if they meet the following criteria:
75-years-old or over
Income is below: £16,070 for a single person or £26,170 for a couple
Live in a house or a flat
Under 75 but permanently live with someone who qualifies, then you can claim a free TV licence on their behalf
Funding for Jersey's benefit scheme has been agreed in the Government Plan - it will continue regardless of the outcome of the BBC consultation, which is yet to take place. The Jersey scheme is established by law.
However the free licence scheme in Guernsey and Alderney will not continue next year, and therefore is not open for new entrants (those who turned 75-years-old after 1 September 2016).
The States of Guernsey says it funds TV licences to Guernsey and Alderney residents over pensionable age (65-years-old and 2 months) who get of income support.
In the UK the BBC has announced its decision to stop the scheme which sees free licences given to the over-75s. Instead, a free TV licence will be issued to any household with someone aged over 75 who receives the UK’s Pension Credit.
The BBC has suggested the same rule will apply to all British licence fee payers - however a public consultation is likely to take place within the Bailiwick before any decision is made.