Free Aerial?

MummyKelz

Hi, where do i find out if you can still get the free aerials for pensioners? My partners nan is 91 but never got an aerial she uses an indoor 1 but that dont get much signal....any help will be greatful

[Deleted User]

Digital changeover was a considerable period ago. No one is offering free aerials to anyone now, regardless of their age.

MummyKelz

Thats what i thought,

donnac2558

Don't think it was free back then either. Just help with how to go about getting ready for digital.

teddysmum

If an older indoor aerial does work, it may be worth trying a more modern one, with a power booster, as a cheaper option than a roof aerial.


You could buy from Argos, try and return, if it doesn't serve its purpose (provided that it is packaged with the cable looking unused ie folded as new).

[Deleted User]

donnac2558 wrote: »

Don't think it was free back then either. Just help with how to go about getting ready for digital.

No, there was financial help for those on benefits if it transpired that new equipment was necessary.
Regardless, it's far too late now.

Scotsman-5

as others did mention ' that bird has flown ' but here is some information on it

A Switchover Help Scheme offers practical guidance to roughly seven million less techno-savvy viewers and households on low incomes. Eligible people include those aged 75 years or over; anyone who has lived in a care home for six months or more; those on certain disability benefits and anyone registered blind or partially sighted.

Eligible households get one Freeview box installed and demonstrated plus follow-up support. There is a fee of £40 for the help, which is waived for those on income support, job seeker's allowance or pension credit, who do not have to pay.

Now that was the basic service but when a person signed up at

http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/ { that looks like a dead link now }

they were then sent a booklet with many options -

here is the list

Option 1 Freeview Box and installation { and aerial } free { note 1 }
Option 2 Freesat Box and installation { and dish } £27
Option 3 Smart talk Box and installation { and aerial } £79
Option 4 Freeview HD Box and installation { and aerial } £118
Option 4 Freeview HD Box and recorder and installation { and aerial } £162
Option 5 Freesat HD Box and installation { and dish } £76
Option 5 Freesat HD Box and recorder { 500 GB } installation { and dish } £193

note 1 - Free for certain people

Now what unit a person ended up with was left open as units were limited so if a person requested a certain option ' they may not have got their first choice '

TVOnics MDR-252 and TVOnics HV-250, Humax HDFOXT2 , Goodmans GDR11 GDB20TTSDSHS (only box with Audio Navigation) and Grundig GFSAT102DHS and Grundig GUFSAT101DHS

not a complete list

it was quirky - When a person first registered all of a sudden ' this tripped a secret clock '

here is a e-mail from them

---

01 January 2012 - Re: Customer Reference Number

Dear Mr - You recently contacted us regarding your Switchover Help Scheme application.

If you would like to progress your application, please call us on 0800 4086046. Lines are open Monday – Friday between 8am – 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays between 8am and 6pm.

If we do not hear from you within 28 days, we will assume you no longer wish to receive assistance from the Scheme and will close your application.

---

I was in the process of trying to find out what unit they would fit ' when they tried to close my claim '

I ended up with a Echostar HDS-600RS { 500 GB } installation and dish fitted total charge £193

By the way - under the rules a person would have to have at least one Analogue television.

[Deleted User]

Not sure why you posted all that..

The scheme ended two years ago, so posting links and telephone numbers is rather unhelpful to anyone seeking such help now.

Scotsman-5

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Not sure why you posted all that..

The scheme ended two years ago, so posting links and telephone numbers is rather unhelpful to anyone seeking such help now.

I did make it very plain at the start that - the scheme had ended so no one is going to call any number .

I was filling in the blanks as to the actual cost just for people who was not aware of the facts.

as its very likely when SD freeview is ditched when they bring in DSO 2 they will bring back a scheme for people who cant afford DVB-T2 PVR's

see http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/statement/ although its well hidden

FOUND IT http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2841788/TV-chaos-millions-20m-homes-face-retuning-sets-frequencies-sold-mobile-firms.html

[Deleted User]

Scotsman-5 wrote: »

as its very likely when SD freeview is ditched when they bring in DSO 2 they will bring back a scheme for people who cant afford DVB-T2 PVR's

Are you seriously suggesting anyone should wait for a possible scheme which MIGHT be available in 2019 or some other time in the future? :eek:

That's almost as useless as information about the closed scheme!:)