Help a neighbour with the Digital Switch Over

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Permalink Reply by Adam on April 1, 2012 at 21:46

If you need help, or know someone who does and you live on or near Brackley Road, let me know by responding here. Adam

Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on April 4, 2012 at 14:09

Hello again…

Around midnight last night the analogue signals carrying BBC2 were switched off as the move to a digital-only TV service in London began.

Everyone with Freeview now needs to retune their digital boxes as the channels have moved around.

They will need to do this again sometime after the 18th of April when all the analogue services will be switched off.

Any TV without a digital signal will have a blank screen after this time.

Older and disabled people struggling with switchover in the London region are being reminded that they can still get help with switching to digital TV.

Most eligible people managed the first stage of switchover which happened on April 4th without a problem. But some people may have found it more difficult than they expected. The important thing to remember is that it’s not too late for eligible people to get the help they are entitled to.

The Switchover Help Scheme is open for applications until May 18th. Many thousands of older and disabled people in the London region have already benefitted from the Help Scheme.

The Switchover Help Scheme has been especially designed around the needs of older and disabled people and can make switching to digital TV easier for them. If someone is eligible for help, the Help Scheme will have already written to them at their home address. But did you know:

• People can still take up the offer of help now even if they contacted the Help Scheme to opt out earlier this year

• The Help Scheme can convert a second TV set in your home even if you already have digital on your main TV set.

• The Help Scheme will set up and install everything you need to make the switch to digital.

• All installers are approved and no one will call without an appointment

• A free 12 month aftercare line is provided which offers help with retuning.

Liam McKay, Help Scheme Regional Manager said: “We know that some people only realise at the last minute that they could do with some help – even if up until now they thought that they were going to be OK for switchover.

“We’re still here to help any eligible older or disabled person make the switch to digital and provide everything they need to convert their TV. If you someone you know needs help please contact us on [insert number] before May 18th”.

People are eligible for help if:

- Aged 75 or over, or

- Have lived in a care home for six months or more, or

- Get (or could get):

- Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or

- Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance, or

- Mobility supplement, or

- Are registered blind or partially sighted

Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the standard option of help. For eligible people who are also on pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or income-related employment and support allowance, it’s free.

All eligible people in the London region can also choose from other digital options.

Eligible people need to respond to get the help. To make it easier to get help by switchover we are urging people to call the Help Scheme free on 0800 40 87 654.