Seniors Need to Act Now to Get $40 Discount on TV
Converter Box for New Digital Signals
Commerce Department says orders should be made before
end of year as broadcast TV becomes digital-only on February 17
Oct.
1, 2008 Most senior citizens have paid little attention to the
nations switch to digital television due on February 17, although,
seniors will constitute the greatest portion of those affected by the
digital transition - particularly low income, fixed income, disabled,
homebound, minority and rural seniors. Those who want to continue to use
their TV sets with over-the-air reception will need to buy a converter
box and the government is offering a discount coupon to help with the
purchase.
Households that do not install a converter will
lose access to free TV. They can connect their TV to cable, satellite or
pay television service; they can replace it with a digital TV; or they
may keep it working with a TV converter box.
Consumers can purchase a converter box at more than
29,000 participating local, phone or online retailers. Converter boxes
generally cost between $45 and $80.
For consumers choosing the converter box option,
the governments TV Converter Box Coupon Program permits all households
to request one or two coupons - each worth $40 - toward the purchase of
certified converter boxes.
The Department of Commerces National
Telecommunications and Information Administration today urged seniors
and others to apply for the discount coupons by the end of 2008.
Although, coupons may be requested until March 31, 2009, or while
supplies last.
|
Dont Let
Your Coupon Expire!
Good for
90 Days
A significant problem
developed in September, when it was learned that many people who
received the discount coupons for the digital television
converter boxes were allowing them to expire unused. Sen. Herb
Kohl (D-WI), chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging,
called for these people to be allowed to reapply but the
National Telecommunications Information Administration said they
did not have the authority to do so.
According to a
testimony given by the U.S. Government Accountability Office
(GAO), areas with predominately senior populations have allowed
43 percent of their converter box coupons to expire.
Sen. Kohl said, Of the 21
million Americans who are estimated to rely solely on
over-the-air broadcasts, forty percent of them are seniors. Im
asking the NTIA to help us make sure theyre not left in the
dark.
He as repeatedly expressed
concern that coupons expire 90 days after issuance, with no
option of reissue or replacement. |
The NTIA announced earlier this month that
residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities,
assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for
mail delivery will be eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter
Box Coupon Program.
"Allowing nursing home residents and households who
rely on a post office box for their mail to request coupons helps those
most in need to make the switch to digital television," Secretary of
Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez said.
"Ensuring that no one is left behind is our top
priority and I encourage those who need a coupon to apply soon, and buy
a converter box when their coupon arrives in the mail."
Applicants living in licensed nursing homes,
intermediate care facilities and assisted living facilities will be
required to provide their name, address of the facility and whether they
receive television exclusively with an antenna, or through cable,
satellite or other pay television service.
A family member or a representative from the
licensed facility may apply for one coupon for a nursing home resident,
but the coupon will be mailed directly to the nursing home resident. A
special application will be made available for nursing home residents to
fill out once the rule becomes effective.
Also, applicants who utilize a post office box for
mail delivery will be able to request two coupons through the normal
application process. Applicants will be required to provide their
physical residence in addition to their post office box number.
How to apply for coupons
For other consumers who wish to obtain coupons and
a converter box, these are the steps:
Step 1: Apply.
Apply for a coupon now. Coupons are available on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Consumers can apply for coupons online at
www.DTV2009.gov, by phone at
1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), by fax at 1-877-DTV-4ME2
(1-877-388-4632) or by mail to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208. Deaf or
hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English TTY) or
1-866-495-1161 (Spanish TTY).
Step 2: Buy.
Consumers should buy their converter boxes soon after their coupons
arrive in the mail. Consumers will receive a list of participating
local, phone and online retailers with their coupons. TV viewers are
urged to make their choice before the end of the year.
Step 3: Try.
Once a consumer has purchased a converter box, they should connect
the box to their analog TV immediately and follow the installation, and
channel scanning instructions, and antenna adjustments, if needed. This
provides the opportunity to test the converter box and troubleshoot
potential problems prior to the transition date. Most importantly,
consumers can start enjoying the benefits of a clearer picture and more
programming choices now, so dont wait to install your converter box.
For more information about the Coupon Program,
please visit
www.DTV2009.gov.
If viewers have difficulty receiving digital
broadcast stations in their area, the
troubleshooting guide, produced by the Federal Communications
Commission, provides a checklist for connecting a converter and tips on
reception of digital signals.
