Help Scheme FAQs
Help Scheme FAQs
- What help is on offer?
- How much will this cost?
- What equipment will I get?
- When will people get the help?
- What do I need to do?
- I live in a block of flats - will my communal aerial be adapted as part of the help I will receive?
- How will you guard against fraudsters targeting vulnerable people?
- How many people/households will get help?
- I am the warden for a residential care home. If all of the residents are eligible for assistance, will they all receive help to convert one of their TVs?
- When will residents of the Copeland area be communicated with about the Help Scheme?
- I am eligible, how much will it cost me?
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What help is on offer?
The Help Scheme will provide practical support to help people select, install and use digital TV equipment. Where necessary this may include the provision of a set top aerial or a rooftop aerial upgrade. Those eligible households that apply for the scheme will be provided with equipment to convert one set.
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How much will this cost?
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.
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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
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When will people get the help?
If you are eligible for help you will be contacted in advance of switchover.
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What do I need to do?
You will be contacted well ahead of switchover in your region with details of how the scheme works and the digital options available in your region. If you live in Whitehaven and the surrounding area and you think you are eligible you will need to respond to the letter coming through your door around the middle of March.
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I live in a block of flats - will my communal aerial be adapted as part of the help I will receive?
Your landlord should arrange any update required to communal aerials and/or wiring. You should contact your landlord to see what plans they have for preparing for digital switchover. Any such upgrade that they make can be passed onto you through your service charge, which, if you are in receipt of it can be met through Housing Benefit.
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How will you guard against fraudsters targeting vulnerable people?
Every digital television installer employed by the scheme will be properly trained and vetted ( including criminal record checks ) and will carry the appropriate ID. Rest assured, a digital installer will not arrive at your home without an appointment.
We are working closely with Help the Aged, Age Concern and other consumer groups to develop the arrangements.
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How many people/households will get help?
We estimate that around 7 million UK households will qualify for assistance from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme between 2008 and 2012.
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I am the warden for a residential care home. If all of the residents are eligible for assistance, will they all receive help to convert one of their TVs?
If your residents have not yet switched and they are eligible, they will receive help to convert one TV set. If your care home has a communal TV aerial system, you should check that it will continue to work after switchover.
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When will residents of the Copeland area be communicated with about the Help Scheme?
Eligible individuals in the Copeland area have been sent a letter and an application form by the Help Scheme, and should fill in their form as soon as possible. If you need further information or help to fill in the form, please call the Digital Switchover Help Scheme Call Centre on freephone 0800 5 19 20 21, or visit the Digital Switchover Help Centre at 72 King Street, Whitehaven.
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I am eligible, how much will it cost me?
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.
For those who are not entitled to Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and are eligible (see above criteria), the Help Scheme will cost eligible households a subsidised amount of £40 for the basic equipment and help.
