Problems With Expired DTV Coupons? Click Here

August 18, 2008

By now you probably know, if you have an older TV and receive your television signal through an antenna, you'll need to get a DTV converter box for when TV goes digital in February. The government is providing up to two coupons worth $40 each to help offset the cost of digital converter boxes. Many of you have taken advantage of this program.

The Department of Commerce, which oversees the DTV Coupon Program, tells us Kansans have requested over 68,000 DTV coupons as of late-July. Of those, about 25,000 have been redeemed while nearly 17,000 have expired.

Unfortunately, we've heard from a number of Kansans who found out the hard way that the coupons expire after 90 days and cannot be reissued for any reason.

The law that established the DTV Coupon Program forbids the government from reissuing those coupons for any reason. While this was intended to prevent fraud, it's also shutting out those who simply can't find a converter locally within the 90 days.

So, what can you do if your coupon is expired? If you've only been issued one coupon, you can request a second coupon. You can order the second coupon just like you did the first one. If you've already received two coupons and both have expired - they cannot be replaced or extended.

We checked with the Department of Commerce. Their suggestion for those who have expired coupons is to contact a friend, neighbor or family member who won't need their coupons to request coupons and give them to you. The DOC assures us that this is perfectly legal as long as no more than two coupons are issued per household.

Our company has also submitted requests to Kansas representatives in Washington urging them to change the law. If you'd like to do the same, you'll find a sample letter along with the names and contact information of Kansas Representatives at the bottom of this page.

If your expiration date is approaching and you cannot find a converter box locally, you can order one online or through the mail. The packet that your coupons came in has information on these other options.

Sample DTV Expiration Letter:

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my concerns over the DTV Coupon Program. I received two coupons through this program to help me purchase the hardware I need for the transition to DTV in February. Those coupons expired 90 days after they were issued. I was unable to find a converter box locally in this 90 day window and I am now stuck without the ability to purchase a converter box.

By law, these coupons cannot be reissued or extended for any reason whatsoever. While this provision may have been designed to prevent fraud, it is also preventing many people who need these converter boxes from getting them. I find this frustrating.

As a Kansan, I depend on my television to provide my family with critical information, especially when severe weather threatens our part of the state. Once the switch to DTV happens, I will be left without TV because my coupons are expired and I am unable to purchase a converter box at full retail.

I am asking you to do what you can to do what you can so people like me aren't left in the dark after the transition to DTV. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

__________________________

Click the links below for contact information for Kansas Representatives:

Congressman Jerry Moran

Congressman Dennis Moore

Congresswoman Nancy Boyda

Congressman Todd Tiahrt

Senator Pat Roberts

Senator Sam Brownback