Positive Ageing - Help With Going Digital

Some older people in Marlborough will qualify for financial help to move over to digital television early next year.

The government is providing a package of assistance and will send out information about it in about two months. The assistance will be available to people who don’t already have digital television - they don’t have Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear - and they are:

• aged 75 or more with a Community Services Card
• receive a Veteran’s Pension or Invalids Benefit or
• they have been on either of these pensions but have now transferred on to NZ Superannuation.

Recipients will receive the supply and installation of all the necessary equipment to convert one existing TV set. The equipment provided will include, as necessary, a set-top box, cable, and one UHF aerial or satellite dish. Where possible, existing antennae, satellite dishes and cabling will be used rather than installing new equipment.

The package will not cover a new television set as almost any television can go digital with the right equipment.

Rest home residents who meet the criteria are eligible for the Targeted Assistance Package but it will not cover installation or upgrading of shared antennae or cabling.

Eligible households will have at least six months before switchover in Marlborough to apply for assistance and up to three months afterwards.

• Eligible people will be advised by letter that they can apply for assistance. If you think you qualify but do not receive a letter by the end of October this year, contact Senior Services 0800 552 002 or Work and Income 0800 559 009 (non-pensioners on Invalids Benefit).