Everyone needs to be ready for the switchover or you will lose TV channels. If you have 5 channels or fewer on any TV in your home, you will need to convert it to digital.
The Help Scheme is run by the BBC and can help everyone who is eligible disabled, aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or anyone who has lived in a care home for 6 months or more with everything they need to switch one TV to digital.
Our standard option is available for an all-inclusive cost of £40. This help is free if you or someone you care for is eligible and also gets certain income-related benefits.
Our standard option includes:
Easy-to-use equipment
The standard option provided by the Help Scheme includes simple to use equipment (usually a set-top box) which comes with an easy-to-use remote control. Other options are available, such as digital recorders. These come at an extra cost.
Installation by an approved installer
Our installers are trained and experienced in serving older and disabled people. We always visit by appointment and you can ask us to come at a time convenient to you. Our installers always carry ID and you can arrange a password in advance.
The installer will set up the equipment and explain how to use it before they leave.
A 12 month aftercare service with a free helpline
Help Scheme customers and their carers can contact our freephone aftercare service for up to 12 months after delivery or installation. Our friendly, patient, UK-based staff can help them with advice over the phone while they are getting used to things. If problems can't be sorted out over the phone, we will send our installer round to help.
How to get help
Before the switchover happens in each region, all eligible people will receive an information pack. We need people to reply to their Help Scheme letters even if they don't need our help. That way we know they are ready for switchover.