Billag checks those exempt from fees

Billag, the Swiss collection agency for radio and television fees, intends to carry out regular checks in future to ensure that it is not being ripped off by those exempt from paying fees. Since 2001, AHV and IV recipients with supplementary benefits have been exempt from radio and television reception fees upon written request. Before this rule was introduced in 2000, Billag had to waive the radio and TV fees of around 33,000 households. Today, this figure has risen to 180,000 households. For this reason, Billag intends to regularly review those exempt from fees in future. There could be changes, particularly in the case of IV recipients. As a first step, around 25,000 affected households are currently being contacted. Further letters will follow in 2007 and in the coming years.