Switchover Help Scheme

Assistance to make the change

The Switchover Help scheme will assist eligible people to make the change to digital on one of their TV sets at the time of switchover.

Who is eligible for Switchover Help?

People are eligible if:

• They are aged 75 years or above;
• They receive (or are eligible to receive) one of the following:
  • Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance
  • Mobility Supplement
  • Disability Living Allowance;
• or if they are registered blind or partially sighted

Cost of the scheme

Most people using the scheme will contribute £40 for the basic offer.

The basic offer is free if a person is eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme and receives either:

• Pension Credit;
• Income Support; or
• Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance

The Basic Offer

The basic offer includes:

• Help to choose the right equipment
• Easy-to-use equipment that suits their needs
• Help with installing equipment in their home
• Help with making sure that the equipment can receive the signal through an aerial or satellite dish. A new aerial or dish will be fitted if it is required (and where possible)
• An easy-to-understand demonstration of how everything works
• Somebody they can telephone for help while getting used to the new system

What happens next for eligible people

Around seven million people across the UK are eligible for the scheme. Eligible people in Vale Royal will be contacted by post between January and June 2009.

For people in accommodation with shared aerials

Whilst people in flats, care homes or other places with communal TV systems can be eligible for the help scheme, there is no provision to upgrade communal aerials and systems. Please contact your landlord for advice.

Providers

The scheme has been set up by the BBC and is run by eaga plc.

Further information

Further information about the scheme is available from the Switchover Help Scheme website (External link). People can also contact the Help Scheme by telephone on: 0800 408 5900. Calls are free from UK landlines (calls from mobile telephones may be charged, contact your operator for details).

Last modified: 14 November 2008