Free Digital TV! Check you're eligible

Former_MSE_Andrea

29 January 2008

What's it about?

We've all seen the adverts screeching "Digital switchover, make sure you're prepared!" yet what's not been shouted from the rooftop aerials is that some people will be eligible to get free equipment and help with the switchover.

Thus if you don't have a box, are worried about how you will afford it, or considering buying one because switching is coming; don't worry as up to 7 million households will get help.

Who's eligible?

If you or your partner are aged 75 or over, ont he following social security benefits: Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA) under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme and CAA and War Pensioners Mobility Supplement under the pre-2005 War Pensions scheme or you, your partner or dependant child are registered as blind or partially sighted AND you are on Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance you may be entitled to a free digital freeview box, plus if you need it you could get help to install it.

For full eligibility details see the Digital Switchover Help Scheme page

What equipment will I get?

If you're eligible you'll get help to convert one TV.

If you want more than the basic freeview box you can pay extra to get a digital television recorder or a digital TV from the scheme, freesat from Sky or money off a Sky TV subscription.

Depending on the area you're in you may need to get a special aerial to get freeview. If that's the case for you, you may also get help to replace that. To check if you'll need one use the coverage checker on the Freeview website.

What do I need to do to get the help?

Nothing for the moment. If you're eligible you'll receive a letter up to 8 months before your area's switchover date so just make sure you keep an eye out in the post for it. To find out when your area will be switching over use the Digitaluk Postcodechecker

If you're in Whitehaven, which is the only place to have already switched over, you'll be receiving a letter around mid-March. If you think you're eligible you'll need to reply to it.

More Info on the scheme

If you want more details then take a look at the Digital Switchover Help Scheme page

PS. This offiicial fully researched post has been inserted at the top to give more details and links. Many thanks to MoneySaver "hatecoorperateuk" for originally posting this - great spot!

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hatecoorperateuk

From 2008 to 2012 television services in the UK will go completely digital. To help people with the switch over a help scheme is being introduced to provide practical support to help install and use digital TV equipment

The scheme will cost eligible housholds a subsidised amount of 40pounds for basic equipment and help unless you are on pension credit or income support/ Job seekers allowance in which case it is FREE.

More info: call the switch over help scheme center on: 0800 5192021
or go to: www.digitaluk.co.uk/helpscheme

And before some people start: yes I know it is not "free"for all. but if it doesnt apply to you, go and find a post that does, Please

Thepmiester

Thats good to know thanks.
Glad to see your making a big contribution to the forums.
Thanks
The Pmiester

piglet29

very useful post, thankyou op, good to know there will be help for people who need it come the digital switchover

liam8282

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/helpscheme

that is the website with the full details for the scheme.

Lugh_Chronain

Thanks hatecoorperateuk for this info and MSE Andrea for the fully researched post. This doesn't apply to me but should help my parents. My Mum was enquiring about the switchover only yesterday. Will pass this on to my sister who can explain it to them.

Cheers!

earthmother

Won't apply to us until 2011, but useful to know - thank you

One bit that caught my eye -

What equipment will I get?

If you want to take part in the scheme and you are eligible you will receive help to convert one TV set. There is a choice of equipment for those who may require features such as audio description. You can get:

• A Freeview digital box provided by the scheme, and if required, help to install and use it. You may also receive help if your aerial needs replacing to enable you to receive a digital signal.
• Or for an extra cost you can choose to get a digital television recorder or a digital TV from the scheme, or freesat from Sky
• Alternatively you can get money off a subscription for Sky TV

I wonder if the last option will apply to those who already have Sky, or just for new subscribers

cornish_lady

I live in the Copeland area (Whitehaven) and this is not quite as good as it sounds as the eligibility is very tight.

It says
You are eligible if you your partner or dependent child:

• Are 75 years old or over.
• Are entitled to attendance allowance, constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement or disability living allowance or,
• Are registered blind or partially sighted.

BUT this will cost £40

The basic option will be free only if you are eligible (see above), and if you are entitled to Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

xellieqx

surely a digital set top box doesn't cost that much money???

Beate

So it isn't just enough to be on Pension Credit, you need to be on any of the mentioned allowances too? (assuming you are not over 75 and/or blind?)

infomaniac_2

Great spot. Please can you clarify where you got the info on the inclusion of people on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the wording I managed to see from the link omitted these?

Thanks