Caerphilly County Borough Council would like to remind residents that some people living in Caerphilly county borough will be eligible to receive practical help in preparation for the digital switchover in March next year.
TV is going digital all over the UK, and the traditional TV signal will be switched off in our area in March. The Help Scheme, which is run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government, is available to make sure your TV set will work with digital.
Cllr Judith Pritchard, cabinet member for social services said, “Knowing how to deal with the forthcoming digital switchover can be a very worrying time for people, particularly our older and more vulnerable residents who may live alone.
However, residents needn’t worry as this scheme is here to help ensure that the switchover is a smooth and simple one. Most televisions, even the majority of black and white ones can easily be converted to digital, so there really is no need for concern.
Over 7 million people in the UK are eligible to receive this help, and I would encourage as many of our eligible residents as possible to take up this excellent opportunity of help.”
To be eligible to receive help from the scheme, people must be aged 75 years or over, or registered blind or partially sighted or have lived in a care home for six months or more.
Also eligible are people who get (or could get) attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement or disability living allowance. Most people will be asked to contribute £40 towards the help, unless they receive pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers allowance, where the service is FREE.
Those eligible for the help will receive:
- Easy-to-use equipment to convert one television set
- Installation of that equipment
- An aerial check and upgrade if necessary, for people who own their own aerials
- A demonstration of how it works, and
- A twelve month aftercare service.
If you are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme, you don’t need to do anything yet. The scheme will be in touch in plenty of time to ask if you would like help.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards would also like to inform people that there are a number of security measures in place to ensure that the Help Scheme workers calling at homes are genuine:
- Help Scheme installers and couriers have all had Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, carry Switchover Help Scheme identity cards and wear a uniform. When they call, ask to see their identity card before allowing them access into your home.
- When the Switchover Help Scheme contacts you, you can arrange a password with them, which the installer and courier must confirm with you when they call so you know they are genuine.
- The scheme can also arrange for a chaperone if you ask for one, if you are worried about the installer or courier visiting your home.
- You can also tell them if you would like someone else to be with you when the Switchover Help Scheme brings your equipment (a friend, relative etc). If necessary, the scheme can contact the person to arrange this for you.
In the meantime, if you want more information for yourself or someone you know, please call 0800 40 85 900. The call is free and a member of the team will be pleased to help.
If you are concerned that a caller to your door is not genuine, please contact Trading Standards on 01495 235 291.
