Free Digital TV! Check you're eligible

crossleydd42

xellieqx wrote: »

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

It does when you also have to buy a broadband aerial, too! Sometimes old co-ax also needs replacing.

julesangles

my hubbie is partially sighted and working(before i get shot down in fire) we were informed of scheme though the eye service.we would have to pay the 40 pounds to get the aerial sorted, which as someone said is not very good.
i would pop out and buy a digi box (if i needed to) and sort my self out.

MPwannasavemoney

Good tips here, though those who are stuck in council flats where in place of an ariel there is a monopoly supply through NTL (sorry Virgin Media) means that they are stuck without choices. Currently NTL are only feeding an analog signal through and when that is no longer available they are very keen to suck money out of pensioners to pay for services they don't really want!

jonathanbriggs

The original post mentioned job-seekers - but the actual wording on the website (http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/en/how/help-scheme.html) is this:

You are eligible for the scheme if:

• You or your partner are aged 75 years old or over,
• You, your partner or a dependent child is entitled to one of the following social security benefits: Disability Living Allowance (including where the qualifying person is a child), 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.
• You, your partner or a dependent child are registered as being blind or partially sighted

This scheme is to ensure disadvantaged people continue to get TV - it is nothing whatsoever to do wth jobseekers sitting at home in comfort!!

Can one of the moderators please edit this thread and remove the ill-informed and offensive posts ranting about something that isn't even true please!!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

Firstly, I've just double checked and the How much will this cost? section of the help scheme page does say "The scheme will cost eligible households a subsidised amount of £40 for the basic equipment and help, unless you are on Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in which case it's free. "

Secondly, please do remember many people are on Jobseeker's Allowance through no fault of their own and would much rather they weren't so please don't make assumptions here.

Let's keep the thread on topic and pleasant from now on.

Thanks!

Andrea

Ann1e

Thanks for this - my Mum is 85 and I have bought her two set-top boxes - the first one just sort of expired. I don't think you can buy them for under around £18.00 and as this offer appears to be for the disadvantaged, and for those that have worked hard all their life (in the main), I think it is an excellent idea. Find it a bit hard to see why some people are so up in arms about it! Of course I don't condone the archetypal sponger, but I think for pensioners and the disadvantaged, this is a fair offer. I mean, blimey, there should be some benefits for the elderley - the State pension doesn't go very far!

Incidentally, her local police advertised free security door intercom thingys, but when I phoned, they had been so inundated they had stopped the offer, dammit! Now that is a good idea in today's horrible world.

jonathanbriggs

I'm getting a little weary of all those who keep posting about how disgraceful it is that the 'unemployed' get this freebie.

Read the rules!

Only those who fit the following criteria qualify:

• You or your partner are aged 75 years old or over,
• You, your partner or a dependent child is entitled to one of the following social security benefits: Disability Living Allowance (including where the qualifying person is a child), 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.
• You, your partner or a dependent child are registered as being blind or partially sighted

The deal is that these disadvantaged people still pay £40 - unless they are ALSO unemployed and seeking jobseekers allowance - in which case it is free. So not many people qualify for free...

It should be obvious that this is certainly not a freebie for the lazy - only for those who are not only genuinely disadvantaged (through no fault of their own) but who are, laudably, actually looking for work too.

So my Mum will qualify - in the over 75 category - but she'll still pay £40 as she isn't seeking work...

For full eligibility details see the Digital Switchover Help Scheme page

mbam_2

I wish I knew about this before I spent a small fortune getting my mum & dads TV's all converted for there Christmas! Well they can get the one in the kitchen done under this when it comes(seeing as it is the only on in the house that is onlt terestoral!!!)