Implementing_the_program Coupon-eligible_converter_box

an example of ntia converter box $40 subsidy coupon , in form of bank card can used payment converter box purchase.

to implement coupon program, act authorized ntia use $990 million fund, including $100 million program administration. funds supported initial non-contingent program available requesting households. ntia authorized spend $1.5 billion program (including $160 million administration) if initial $990 million insufficient fulfill non-contingent coupon requests. in case, contingent fund available households not serviced cable or satellite. if funds insufficient, committee on energy , commerce of house of representatives , committee on commerce, science, , transportation of senate notified.

an initial funding of $990 million expected allow households opportunity apply coupons, expired 90 days after mailed. after money used up, $510 million in additional funds available households stated did not subscribe cable or satellite television services. neither allotment had means test.

the ntia planned start processing coupon requests year before original transition date of february 17, 2009; 2.4 million people had applied 4.7 million coupons, out of estimated 13 million homes still received television antenna.

by end of 2008, new york times said 40 million coupons have been requested, date 16 million have been redeemed, compared estimated 35 million televisions lose signal. institutions, such retirement homes, excluded program; while partially remedied (to allow 1 coupon per retirement-home resident), prisons, homeless shelters , residential hotels remained disqualified coupon program.

on january 4, 2009, ntia began placing coupon requests on waiting list after program reached maximum allowed funding. after unredeemed coupons expire new requests fulfilled. january 7, ntia s waiting list included under million requested coupons. week later, list had grown 2 million coupons.

on january 7, both consumers union , representative ed markey of massachusetts (who headed u.s. house energy , commerce committee’s telecom subcommittee) advocated february 17, 2009 analog shutoff date postponed, due lack of coupons , ntia s inability handle expected public enquiries. on january 8, president-elect barack obama s transition team contacted key legislators express support delay, largely because of problems funding coupons converters. delay passed in february (see below).