Ballymena Times readers urged to watch out for information packs

OLDER and disabled Ballymena Times readers are being urged to look out for Switchover Help Scheme information packs which are landing on their doorsteps this week.

The Switchover Help Scheme is writing directly to people that are eligible for help and most eligible people in the area will receive their first letter and information pack through the post any day now.

The pack, which is also available in a range of alternative formats, explains all the options available to eligible people and contains important information on how they can get help to convert one TV to digital in time for switchover which begins on October 10.

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Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the help which includes:

* Easy to use equipment to convert one set

* An approved installer to supply and install the necessary equipment, and,

* A 12 month aftercare service including a free helpline

The service is free for people who are eligible and who also receive pension credit income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income-related employment and support allowance.

For the same price of £40 or free, people in Northern Ireland can also choose a Freeview HD box which can receive TG4, RTE One and RTE Two, where coverage is available. That option also includes installation and aftercare. Other options and equipment are also available, some at an extra cost, and these are outlined in the information pack.

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People are eligible for the Help Scheme if they are: Aged 75 or over, or have lived in a care home for six months or more, or get (or could get) Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance, or Mobility supplement, or Are registered blind or partially sighted.

On October 10, Northern Ireland will begin to switch to digital. Everyone will need to convert their TV to digital by that time if they are to continue watching their favourite programmes.

Nigel Tilson, Help Scheme Manager for Northern Ireland said: “The message we want to give eligible people is that there is no need to worry because help is available. If you or someone you know is entitled to help from the Help Scheme, then all you have to do is watch out for information pack which will be sent any day now and either give us a call free on 0800 408 7654 or return your completed form by post to get the help you are entitled to”.

The BBC run Switchover Help Scheme has been designed around the needs of older and disabled people. Equipment has been chosen to be easy to use, and contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. All installers are vetted, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.

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People can find out more information about the Switchover Help Scheme from their packs or by visiting helpscheme.co.uk. To check their switchover date and options for getting digital TV, they can use the Digital UK postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk

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