The States passed regulations yesterday which mean that Islanders who are over 75 and on a low income will have their licen-ces paid by the States.
More than 1,000 people have already registered to get the free licences from Social Security, and up to 2,300 are expected to claim the benefit, which will be backdated to 1 January 2006.
Social Security Minister Paul Routier said that the cost of the television rebate scheme this year was likely to be £290,000, and it would be paid for by the increase in duty on beer.
He said: ‘A person must be 75 or over and have an income as a single person of no more than £12,770.
That rises to £20,720 for a couple.’ He said that an agreement had been reached with the BBC to allow the department to liaise directly with the corporation and make payments on behalf of those who qualified for the benefit.
