DTV Converter Box Coupons: Apply Now!

As you probably know by now, TV as we know it will change next year as the airwaves go all-digital. Most stations now broadcast both analog and digital signals, but that will end February 17, 2009, when a new law requires them to transmit only digitally.

If you have an older non-digital TV that receives programming via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, you'lll need to get a set-top converter box that can transform digital over-the-air broadcasts into analog signals that can be received by their TVs. (TVs with a digital ATSC tuner will continue to receive broadcasts via antenna, and TVs connected to cable, satellite and telco-delivered TV services won't be affected.)

To help ease the burden of paying for these government-approved DTV converter boxes, Uncle Sam is offering each household two $40 coupons to buy two digital converter boxes, which are expected to cost $50 to $70. But you have to request the coupons. We suggest you apply immediately, as they're being offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding runs out. Another reason to act now: Most stations are already broadcasting digitally, so you can use the converter box as soon as you get one to receive the extra programming and enhanced quality of digital transmissions.

To get your coupons, you can call a toll-free number, 1-888-DTV-2009, and give them your name and address. You can also visit a website, www.dtv2009.gov, to apply. The last day to request coupons is March 31, 2009, but there's no guarantee they’ll be available at that late date if funding for the program runs out. The coupons are good for 90 days, and the federal government is supposedly timing coupon distribution to coincide with retail availability of the DTV converters. Many leading retail chains, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart, have been certified to participate in the coupon program.

Every household in America is eligible for coupons, regardless of income. For more information on the coupon program, go the FCC site at www.dtv.gov. Or you can check out these other resources: www.dtvtransition.org, Consumer Reports' online Guide to the Digital TV Transition (www.ConsumerReports.org/dtv), and HearUsNow.org, a consumer-advocacy Web site managed by Consumers Union (publishers of Consumer Reports).

Comments

[peggy ann brown]

lost cards by now they are expired nor do I have money to buy
a box how can I get a free one with out subscribing to cable

[Bullfighter]

I am repeatedly bombarded by the message to apply for DTV coupons and when I do, I am rejected saying that coupons were sent and any futher applications will be rejected.

My son Paul sent away for these coupons earlier this year and never received them. He lives in a separate 2nd floor flat.

I applied for coupons for my 1st floor flat a few weeks ago and was denied them based on my address or as they put it "household".

I pay taxes on a 2 flat, I pay a water bill that includes 2 garbage cans for 2 seperate flats, I pay for 1700 cu feet of water that I never come close to using, and I pay a sewer charge based on 2 flats.

I feel that I and my son are being cheated out of these coupons and would expect that our government could afford to give the 2 coupons to each of us that we applied for.

I'm tired of seeing people get a free ride when I paid taxes for years and have gotten cheated out of many government programs before.

If I have to pay taxes on a two flat, I should get the benefits of 2 households.

[ReportingMailTheft]

Everyone needs to report the supposed mail theft to usps.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx

[Laurie D]

I did just like they said. I do have a PO Box for mail. I went back and reapplied using my street address in August. It was approved. Nothing was received by OCT 2008. I e-mailed them and they said it could take longer than 2 months to receive. Its now the end of NOV 2008. NO coupons. I recently went on their website/checked my REF#. The coupons were deactivated or cancelled or something like that. This shows I never received them as they were not used. It said I could reapply for one (confusion thinks I only was sent one??)and when I did denied me due to already having received 2 coupons. Its like this maze they send you looping around and you never get anywhere. How do I know they sent them out. I put in another appeal. Is anybody else not receiving coupons at all. Its like a shell game. Which shell is the coupon under. Wrong, sorry no coupon.

I found the below info on the NTIA website/www.ntia.doc.gov
which is under the Department of commerce. Their is also a website for this www.commerce.gov/Contact_Us/index.htm. Maybe if enough people complain someone will notice

If you read the below it dosent specifically say you can not try to get new coupons. Only that the Assistance Secretary will ensure that each requesting household on receives 2 coupons by mail. If you didnt get any it dosent say you cant reapply especially if the coupons were cancelled for none use/never received.

(1) LIMITATIONS.—
(A) TWO-PER-HOUSEHOLD MAXIMUM.—A household may
obtain coupons by making a request as required by the
regulations under this section between January 1, 2008,
and March 31, 2009, inclusive. The Assistant Secretary
shall ensure that each requesting household receives, via
the United States Postal Service, no more than two coupons.
(B) NO COMBINATIONS OF COUPONS.—Two coupons may
not be used in combination toward the purchase of a single
digital-to-analog converter box.
(C) DURATION.—All coupons shall expire 3 months after
issuance.
(2) DISTRIBUTION OF COUPONS.—The Assistant Secretary
shall expend not more than $100,000,000 on administrative
expenses and shall ensure that the sum of—
(A) all administrative expenses for the program,
including not more than $5,000,000 for consumer education
concerning the digital television transition and the availability
of the digital-to-analog converter box program; and
(B) the total maximum value of all the coupons
redeemed, and issued but not expired, does not exceed
$990,000,000.
(3) USE OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.—If the Assistant Secretary

[Laurie D]

I applied for coupons on august 15. I received a Ref#. However I never received them by October so I reapplied and then sent an e-mail appeal. they told me it could take longer than 2 months. Its now the end of November. I went onto their site and checked my reference#. It said my coupons were deactivated or cancelled or something like that. Which means they were never used. How could they be used when they were never sent. I also was offered an opportunity to reapply for one more due to the site being totally a mess. It said I was still eligible for one more even though my 1st one had expired. When I filled out the info and submitted it said that I was not eligible as I had already received two coupons. I wonder how many people have actually received coupons or ones that actually work. I put another appeal in. It seems like all those expired/nonworking coupons is saving someone some money. Its like a shell game. Which shell is the coupon under. Sorry wrong no coupon. Thats a scam not a program that helps

[MARIA]

MY COMMENT IS THAT WHEN I ORDER MY COUPONS IN AUGUST I RECIEVED THEM SEPT AND NOW I HAVE MY CONVERTER BOXES AND NOTHING TO WORRY IN FEB.2009

[blankis]

I also never received the coupons. I ordered them since september and were supposed to arrive in October 3 and they never did. This thing has me really frustrated since I called the 1888 number and they told me there was nothing to do about that and that it was illegal to order them again. I feel very angry because of that and I don't know to who ask for help. This thing shoul have been done the right way. I am sure there are thousands of people with a missing coupon and the FCC should do something about it.

[Barbara Galindo]

I have not got my coupons and i applied jn may

[Mike]

Check out this comment section

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/09/dtv-coupons-con.html?cid=136845471#comments

Has lots of good info.

[James White]

I too applied in September. My coupon was to be mailed on 9/26/08. Never received them. When I contacted them, I was told they must have been lost in the mail and there was nothing that could be done and I was out of luck.

Sounds just like our government.

[Eddie W. Edwards]

I ordered and received two
coupons one no 58 9732017 432 2351 is not active. I can not
talk to anyone by phone to get
this corrected (why)

[Jennifer]

Ordered 1 coupon back in Sept. was supposed to receive it by mid- October. Went to the website to check its status today (11/11) and says it mailed out....but I don't have it.
I just applied for another one, my last hope...we'll see what happens with this one.
I thought I was the only one experiencing problems with the coupons, but after reading the rest of the blogs on this site, this is a real problem with a lot of people.

[rebecca]

I did wait until 10/5 to order my coupons- so that I could use them right away on existing stocked of Converter boxes. Online- they indicate my coupons were mailed 11/24. Today is 11/11 and no such coupons have arrived. I've tried contacting the FCC to the website distributing these coupons and no human being is reachable to convey this concern to or to help resolve this prevailing issue - that folks like me - just aren't receiving the coupons ordered. This is insane! What makes me even more crazy is my parents ordered and received their coupons. This is real - the program - the administration just completely without oversight or appropriate measures and controls. I could scream but who would hear?

[Larry Cowan]

Could someone who has actually received coupons recently and successfully used them please post? Mine are supposed to mail on Nov 21.
If no one posts and I get them, I will.

[Gene Krumlauf]

I took your advice and ordered my coupons early and then found that no one in our area of Oregon had the boxes, so put them in my car to use when I found one this fall.
I've now found that I am so far beyond the 90 days that I can no longer use them!
Another example of how well the government can manage things.

[marci]

I applied when they first started taking apps. I applied on-line and listed my business address for receipt of the coupon because I own the business and wouldn't have to change address if I moved. I was declared ineligible because it was a business address (even though that area is zoned commercial/residential). I waited a while and tried to apply again using my home address but was told that I am ineligible because I had previously applied. The upshot is that I have never received a coupon, even though I am one of the taxpayers funding this g%$ d*&^%$ program. I suspect illegals and welfare recipients are getting priority handling and won't be left high and dry the way I am. I am inclined to give up tv altogether and just watch dvds and on-line episodes of my few favorite shows. I'll be hog-tied if I'm going to pay for someone else's converter box and be denied one of my own and then pay for a new tv or cable, etc. Screw that and it reduces my exposure to advertising so it'll help my wallet in more ways than one...

[Arlene Murphy]

I request two coupons when the program first started, I think it was in January 2008. I never received them. Of course, when I go to the government's site, it shows that they were mailed in April. There is no way to talk to a real person. Maybe, it is all a scam.

[Chris]

I recently moved into a new house and requested a converter box coupon. When I tried to request a second, the system denied me, claiming that I had already received two. I filed an appeal and wrote a stilted explanation into the miniscule box that the appeals system provided.

I am impressed that others who've posted here about their experiences with appeals seem to have actually received replies referencing personal details. This is what I got:

Dear Consumer:
This email is in response to your appeal of the denial of your coupon application. We have reviewed the information you provided in your appeal and all applications submitted for your household.  Your duplicate application remains denied because your household has already been approved for, or has already received two coupons.
If you have reapplied because your coupons have expired or you have not received your coupons, we are prohibited by law from replacing your coupons. While we understand that many situations may have caused your coupons to expire, we are prohibited, under all circumstances, from replacing coupons. Individuals who are seeking additional coupons beyond the maximum allowable per household may ask friends or family members at other households to request coupons they may not need themselves. While it is illegal to sell coupons, giving a coupon away for free is not prohibited under Program regulations.
If you have applied recently, but have not yet received your coupons, you can now expect to receive your coupons within 30 days from when you apply. Should you not receive your coupons within that time period, please be patient as mailing delays have been known to occur.
Program information is available on the website at www.DTV2009.gov.
Sincerely,
Consumer Support Center
TV Converter Box Coupon Program

How sincere, my "Dear Consumer Support Center"! I don't know which line is my favorite--the one that insinuates that I'm a liar trying to perpetrate fraud, or the one that implies that I haven't bothered to read their policies! And this version omits the boldface used on the sentence that declares that my appeal has been denied.

I wrote back requesting evidence to back up their assertions that two coupons were sent to me, specifically, by name and not just address. I myself attached evidence: a pdf of my application listing one coupon, and a link to a property database that offers legal documentation for the date I bought this house and the sellers moved out (because, for all I know, the sellers might have requested a coupon before they moved--but I can't tell what the information the coupon people have because they DIDN'T SO MUCH AS LIST A NAME OR AN ADDRESS).

Do I expect a response to evidence and sound reasoning? Not really. That's why I'm wasting too much of my time posting far and wide about yet another way this administration is screwing over American citizens--because, after all, it would be so much better for their base if I took this DTV transition and this gatekeeping nonsense over the coupons as an excuse to shell out for a giant flatscreen I can't afford (after all, it IS the beginning of football season, and that makes a gigantic flatscreen an inalienable right!) and then defaulted on my mortgage, leaving--guess who?--the taxpayers to pick up the bill!

[William Dubberly]

We never got our cupons eathier and was told the same thing as everyone else what a rip off

[Joe Dunlap]

I see lots of folks are having problems with DTV converter coupons. I personally tried online and was told I can't get them because I use a PO Box. I have for 7 or 8 years. I live in a trailer park where the mail is not very secure. I have a box here that I never use. I don't even have a key to it. I may try online again and use that box/trailer number, which is like an apt. # and then see if the manager will check it to see if any coupons arrive. I for one, do not like the whole thing. There is nothing wrong with the present system of TV. I am a qualified expert on it for 50 years since I got my college diploma. I have a first class radiotelephone licence with ship radar endorsement,too. They can't fool me. It really doe not look that much better at a proper viewing distance. The stretched out appearance is not pleasing to everyone, either. I believe that plenty of bribe money changed hands over this. If anyone out there can prove it, please report to the FBI and the attorney general and the press!

[Dave L.]

Yup, the U.S. Mail lost my coupons too, or perhaps they were never mailed out? I don't know what happened but something should be done for us poor folk who did everything right and didn't get our coupons! Grrr!

[David]

I ordered coupons for my mother on June 5, 2008. Approval verification and FAQ pages say coupons will be mailed June 27. Coupons arrived about July 24 (27 days from Portland Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah by USPS?). When I checked out the coupons today, (September 22) expecting them to expire in the next week, I found the expiration date to be September 16. This is NOT 90 days after mailing, but closer to 70 days.
Assuming the coupon company makes about $10 per coupon ordered, and $40 for each one "lost" or "expired" it's no wonder so many of them are never received or received late!
Another Bush and Company SCAM!

[Tina J.]

I requested the coupons for DTV 2009 and they gave me a confirmation number and when I checked online they told me that I had already been approved and that they had been mailed out back in July and I still haven't recieved it. I called the 800 number that was given and they say that they are transferring me and put me on hold then they say that due to high call demands I need to call back later. This is outrageous and I wish that they would just leave it the way that it is. This is the reason that we need change so bad in this world because everything right now SUCKS.

[Vince Cardillo]

This whole thing really does seem like a scam, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I never got my coupons either, and I'm sure of it. Are we to believe that thousands of people's (if not more) coupons have just somehow gotten lost in the mail? I think there is serious folly here. I also wrote about this issue on my own blog: http://www.vincecardillo.com/blog/2008/09/17/dtv-coupons-uncle-sams-scam/

[NeverReceived]

I never received my coupon. My coupon expired. I appealed many times and never received a response. I am screwed.