People may look to their local public service providers for advice on switchover. Our list of frequently asked questions on the right is designed to answer the most common queries you may get from residents. Further sources of help include the Switchover Help Scheme, which provides help to eligible older and disabled people, and the charity partnership Digital Outreach.
The Help Scheme
Although people can find it relatively simple to switch to digital, some older and disabled residents may need more support. People aged 75 and over, eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or who have lived in a care home for 6 months or more are entitled to practical help from the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme.
Everyone eligible will be contacted by post up to three times prior to switchover and offered practical help to convert one TV to digital - people need to respond to the Help Scheme to get the help. To find out more about the Switchover Help Scheme please visit: www.helpscheme.co.uk
Local authorities that manage housing stock directly or have delegated responsibility to an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) should ensure that communal systems are capable of working with digital TV services when switchover takes place. More information on housing can be found on Digital UK’s Property Managers’ website.
Digital Outreach
Digital Outreach Ltd, the community outreach partnership working on behalf of Digital UK to support the switchover programme, will provide information, advice and materials to people who are not eligible for assistance under the Switchover Help Scheme but may benefit from extra advice. Find out more.
