Wake County will offer assistance to citizens who need to file an application to receive a $40 coupon that will offset costs associated with the upcoming Digital Television (DTV) conversion.

On Thursday, June 11, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Wake residents can stop by any one of the following locations to apply for this federally-subsidized coupon that can be put toward the purchase of a DTV converter box:

· Wake County Regional Centers
· Millbrook Human Services Center
· Sunnybrook Community Health Building
· Swinburne Human Services Building

City of Raleigh Community Centers will also offer assistance. To find out which centers will be open, call Community Services at 996-6100.

Volunteers will be at each of the above-listed sites to answer questions, provide more information on the conversion and fax written applications for citizens. Applications and information sheets will be provided in English and Spanish.

"Our goal is to make the digital conversion process as easy and understandable as possible for our citizens," said Wake Human Services Director Ramon Rojano. "We are encouraging residents to take advantage of the phone and electronic filing options first, but for those who need in-person assistance, we are offering a way to make that happen. We do not want any of our citizens to find themselves without a critical way to receive important local information once the conversion is fully implemented."

Residents who may have access to other methods of filing an application are encouraged to do so by calling 1-888-388-2009 (TTY English 1-877-530-2634/TTY Spanish 1-866-495-1161), or by using a computer at any of the Wake County Public Library branches to file electronically.

By June 12, 2009, all analog television signals will be transitioned to digital signals. For some residents whose television does not support a digital signal, the converter box will be necessary to continue to receive television broadcasts, including local broadcasts.

Citizens who choose to purchase a new television in lieu of a converter box are encouraged to recycle unwanted television sets at either of the Wake Environmental Services' Multi-Material Recycling Facilities. The service is free to Wake County residents and is available six days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, 9029 Deponie Drive, North Raleigh
· South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex

On January 1, 2010, North Carolina General Statute 130A-309.90 will make it illegal to put television sets and other electronic equipment, including computers, in landfills.

For more information on the DTV conversion, visit www.dtv.gov.

Related Links

1. Answers to your DTV questions