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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to thank you, taxpayers, for my forthcoming Freesat

30 replies

garlicbutter · 15/04/2011 23:39

I know, I know! I qualify because, after 2 years of interrogation, I'm currently getting DAL (time-limited, lowest rate.) It hasn't changed my life financially - it's £16 a week for 9 months - but it has opened several doors, for which I'm extremely grateful. Most of that is in the form of counselling, SW visits and acess to groups, etc. But!

I live in a very hilly area and have a shite TV that was generously donated via Freecycle :) The day my region went digital, I lost BBC2 leaving me with 4 channels on a good-reception day (4 snowstorms in bad weather.) I got a letter from the switchover folk, saying I qualify for a free aerial. They came round and said, No way! Have you noticed ever other house has got satellite? That's because you can't get aerial reception here ... so we'll give you a dish :)

I'm overjoyed! I had 'posh' TV before I got poor, but have learned to live with 5 channels/snowstorms. I'm not pretending I don't miss the extra TV - I'm thrilled to bits that I'm getting some of it back! Dave TV, here I come (is that still running?)

So. No wafer-thin LCD set on benefits (I wish!) but a very big thank-you for the freesat!

OP posts:
Original poster
garlicbutter · 15/04/2011 23:40

DAL DLA. Got chickpeas on the brain Blush

OP posts:
thenightsky · 15/04/2011 23:44

Am hoping someone sorts out my 81 year old mum's telly too... she gets switched off in August. She says she doesn't qualify for anything free though, so I guess me and DH will have take her shopping.

This digital switch thing is a mystery to me Sad

Original poster
garlicbutter · 15/04/2011 23:50

No, she does! My mum (also 81) is getting freesat on account of age & hills :) www.helpscheme.co.uk/

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 15/04/2011 23:50

my mum in her 70s qualifies for no help ..her aerial is shite and doesn't pick up all the digital channels

its gonna cost her to go digital

good for you op

Original poster
garlicbutter · 15/04/2011 23:56

Thanks, usual - and what a bummer for your mum! Thei website says 75+, is your mum just too young & healthy?

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usualsuspect · 15/04/2011 23:57

shes not young or healthy

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:04

Ring 'em up. It's a bit of a box-ticking exercise, inevitably, but if she's under 75 & not claiming, maybe her GP could put in a plea?

OP posts:
captainbarnacle · 16/04/2011 00:04

I don't get the digital switchover.

I live in an area which doesn't get any digital signal. I and my friends in rented accommodation don't want to fork out for a freesat dish (vast expense compared to price of a set top box) and installation when if we moved 6miles down the road we'd get digital reception.

Will they not sort out the source aerial then?? Will March 2012 just mean I get no TV any more??

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:12

There is a social commitment to full coverage by - well, the original date was 2009 iirc Grin Hmm

As the guy who came round today said, "we're fighting a losing battle". On the upside, freesat kit is dropping in price by the month and I bet there'll be even more competition by the time all regions have lost analogue. There are loads of geeky websites that monitor coverage.

Aldi has a recurring offer on dish + box, I think it was £150 last month. That means cheaper versions will be on the market within a few months. Or there's cable, or ISP TV.

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 16/04/2011 00:13

I know how it works

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:15

sheesh, did I insult you? Sorry.

OP posts:
cat64 · 16/04/2011 00:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:16

cat - no, you're already getting digital Grin

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Birdsgottafly · 16/04/2011 00:18

Op have you had an increase in DLA rather than be awarded because £16 per week does not exsist?

cat64 · 16/04/2011 00:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 16/04/2011 00:26

Oh I know who the op is..... she's started 1001 threads tonight under different names.

Weirdo

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:26

Birds - No, it's a new award of lower rate mobility. It's around £16 a week, isn't it?

Cat - good luck!

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Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:27

Apocalypse Confused ?

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Birdsgottafly · 16/04/2011 00:28

Well were not all pissed and some of us are benefit advisors, so she's out of luck with this one.

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:29

ps: I almost certainly am a weirdo but am also a very regular with regular, traceable namechanges! Have started 4 threads this month ...

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Birdsgottafly · 16/04/2011 00:30

Well then surely you will get enough backpay to get a new flat screen as well Grin

usualsuspect · 16/04/2011 00:31

No you didn't insult me

you ain't that clever Wink

PigeonMalteaserMadness · 16/04/2011 00:32

"Birds - No, it's a new award of lower rate mobility. It's around £16 a week, isn't it?"

No it isn't

Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:34

Birds - the last DLA entry on my account (it's paid 4-weekly) says: DWP DLA 75.80

Is it wrong? What should LR mobility be?

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Original poster
garlicbutter · 16/04/2011 00:36

OK, followed your link, thanks. There seems to be a £3 deficit. I'll have to follow it up if the system doesn't sort it out.
Your problem is ?

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