DTV Converter Box Coupons: Apply Now!

Update: The DTV coupon program will end on July 31, 2009. If you still need a converter box, see our new post and apply right away. - Ed.

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

[Paul Eng]

To Pook:

There are several organizations, such as the Georgia Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and AARP, that are trying to arrange a "Donate unused DTV converter box coupons" programs.

Consumer Reports and our advocacy group, Consumers Union, cannot verify or offer any official endorsement of such programs. But if you want to find out more about them, check out their Web sites:

Georgia PBS TV Donate Your DTV Coupons:
http://www.gpb.org/dtv/exchange

AARP Share Your DTV Coupons:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/yourhome/articles/share_your_dtv_coupons.html

We recently noted that the NTIA, the government agency that is distributing the $40 coupons, has run out of money for the DTV coupon program.

See "DTV coupons: Join the waiting list, says NTIA"
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/01/dtv-coupons-joi.html

While it's noble of you to donate your unused coupons, we believe that millions of U.S. consumers will still be left "out in the cold" come Feb. 17. As such, Consumers Union believes the more appropriate thing to do would be to postpone the transition.

See "CU to Feds: Consider delaying the DTV transition"
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/01/cu-to-feds-cons.html

--Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[Pook]

I have 2 digital conversion coupons that I am not going to use. I decided to buy a new TV instead. I'd like to give them to people that need them and would use them but I can't find a site where I could post this. Any ideas on how to give them away to a person in need? I think we could solve the shortage problem if we could find a way to get all the unused coupons to the people that need them.

[Beverley]

I ordered 2 coupons on November 11 for my 83 year old aunt. She was approved and they were scheduled to mail on November 24th, but she has not received them. She never had or will ever get cable, she cannot afford the cost. Her reference # is 31000624. Can someone please look into this, thanks.

[Davepet]

To Larry Cohen, as requested:

I waited until the boxes started shoeing up in the stores to apply (March, I believe). It took a week or three longer than expected, but I got them, used one immediately & one just before it expired.

My Mother in law & two neighbors also had no problems.

[Gerald Ambrose]

I was told that I applyed for the card???????? Never recieced any card. Is there a person that I can talk to?????????????

[Helen Lee]

just recieved coupons on dec.31st.evidentally it al.ready expired before it reach my resident.

[violet abbott]

ordered two coupons in may of 2008 didn;t get them so called in august and all they said was that it takes several weeks. so where are they???

[JL in Seattle]

Neither my brother or I, living at separate addresses, received our coupons. The website says they were mailed to us, but neither ever arrived. I have not lost a single piece of mail in the 10 years I have lived in Seattle, so this sounds like a scam to me right at the source. Has anyone ever received these coupons?

This sounds like George Bush government to me: undermine the system and make everyone think that government can't do anything right so we all hate government programs...while they steal our country right out from under our feet...

[Ginger]

First, the website forced me to use my street address when all my mail comes to a PO Box. Then, when I ordered and checked status, the website and 800 phone number said that due to high demand, they were back-ordered. Checked back several times and each time they were still back-ordered. Checked for the last time and they said they were expired. Never got them. Can't get any more because I ordered two. Total, inept rip-off.

[Vicki Dodson]

I applied and received coupons
but was unable to redeem due to high demand for boxes. Attempted to replace cards with unexpired cards but was turned down. Attempted to contact consumer support division but never found site. Found consumer report site instead. Any idea how to get a real person and not an electronic moron to run this program?

[Dennis Cirks]

I have applied at least 5 times, and have never received any coupons. The site tells me that there is no record of my requesting coupons. What gives???

[S G Brown]

Ordered converter box coupons and still have not received them. How can I find out where they are and if they have sent them.

[kiki]

Why is there a big problem about re-sending the coupons to people. I was denied a coupon because someone that lived in this apartment before I did received them. Those of us who has expired and never redeemed coupons should be able to get new ones.

[A. vernaci]

I also never received coupons. Ordered many months ago, no phone number to contact. It is not fair. I can't afford two converter boxes. It is such BS

[Military Mother]

My adult son is an ARMY OFFICER serving in BAGDAD at this very moment. He has his own home, but we tranferred his mail to my address to account for his business and taxes when he went overseas. HOW can a HUMAN operated system DENY a legitimate appeal that accounts for A US SOLDIER who might like TV reception when he returns? This system is totally unacceptable! There must be a system to make an administrative appeal to the automated system. Time is running out for such a process. Can anyone find it and share it with the group?

[tim collis]

they said they sent me two coupons and i never recieved them and it has been 6 months what can i do?

[Ana Williams]

I ordered my coupons in September, the mail date was October 3rd of this year. It is now December 2nd and I have not received my coupons. I went to the website and it stated that my application was approved and the coupons were mailed out. I also found out that because of high demand for these coupons that it is taking over 2 months to mail them out. I think that my coupons were stolen by someone at the post office or that they were never mailed out. This sucks because I can not afford to pay $60 plus tax for a converter box and do not have $500 to buy a new TV. This is not fair and I think it is a scam.

[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