Getting help with the UK Digital Switchover

Help for the elderly or disabled?

 

Site visitor N Harper asks: "The UK Government has indicated that it will offer assistance to the disabled & pensioners regarding the Digital Switchover. Can you confirm this please, and if so, how do I go about making a claim?"

 

According to the official switchover site, there is a scheme that will provide equipment and installation help to convert one TV set.

 

Who is eligible for digital TV help?

The Digital TV Help Scheme will be available to people aged 75 years and over, and help may be available to people in the following categories:

• Those receiving attendance allowance
• Those receiving constant attendance allowance
• Those receiving disability living allowance
• Those receiving mobility supplement
• Those that have lived in a care home for over 6 months
• Registered blind or partially sighted people

 

What help is offered by the Digital TV Help Scheme?

• Provision of easy-to-use equipment for one TV set
• Help with installation of the equipment (possibly including a TV aerial or satellite dish)
• A demonstration of how to use the equipment, plus access to help

 

The cost of the Help Scheme?

If you are eligible for the scheme and get any of the following, the help will be free: pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers allowance. Others eligible for the scheme will be asked to contribute £40.

 

How do I get the help? What happens next?

Those eligible for help will be sent more information well before their area goes digital. Alternatively, you can get advice on the scheme by calling 0800 408 5900

 

Other links:

• When does my area go digital?
• Digital TV accessibility - Help for visually-impaired, hard-of-hearing or elderly users
• Digital TV Costs - How much does it cost to go digital
• Digital Switchover Opinion -Some words from the silent majority?