SWITCHOVER IS COMING AND HELP IS AT HAND

Television in the UK is changing to digital and the traditional analogue TV signal is being switched off by ITV region. Although half of the UK population have already switched, parts of Anglia and the Meridian, London, Northern Ireland and Tyne Tees TV regions are yet to switch.

If you don’t have digital TV by the time of switchover, you will lose your TV service but the BBC run Switchover Help Scheme helps older and disabled people convert one TV set to digital. The good news is that you don’t need to let the Help Scheme know if you need help - they write to all eligible people prior to switchover in each area. But you must respond to the Help Scheme to receive their help.

You’ll be eligible to receive help if you are aged 75 years or over; registered blind or partially sighted; get (or could get) Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance, or mobility supplement, or Disability Living Allowance or if you have lived in a care home for six months or more.

For £40 (or free for those on income related benefits), eligible people will get easy-to-use equipment, an approved installer to supply and install the equipment and 12 months aftercare including a free helpline.

For more information visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900.

You can check when your region is switching via www.digitaluk.co.uk  .