Can't get your DTV Coupons?

Are you still trying to get your hands on your free government coupons for a digital converter box for your tv? We've been hearing from more viewers, saying they can't get their coupons, or the coupons expired before they could use them. We got some answers on what's being done about this problem and show you how you can get your coupons in this Seven On Your Side Consumer Watch.

You could say Gary Hammond is frustrated. Said Hammond, "Are they calling me a liar? What if they got lost in the post?"

He ordered DTV converter box coupons, but says they never arrived. Explained Hammond, "I reapplied and I got back a response that basically tells you that if you've applied once, that's it. Because, as far as their concerned, the coupons have been sent to you and it says in the letter they are by law not allowed to reissue them."

The solution? The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, says people can ask friends or relatives, who don't need their coupons, to apply and give them theirs.

"That's deceit. That, to me, is criminal," reacted Hammond, pointing out the government application asks you to declare that it's true and correct.

We called Bart Forbes, spokesperson for the NTIA, who responded, "The law passed by Congress in 2005 did not say whether folks should verify whether they need the coupons or not."

The coupon program is working for millions. 11 million coupons have been redeemed. But Hammond is one of thousands of people nationwide who've complained that their coupons expired before they could use them, or just plain never arrived.

We asked Forbes how the NTIA responds to that problem. Forbes answered, "We set up a program mandated by Congress and the Budget Deficit Reduction Act 2005. So the parameters of the program were created by Congress."

So we called Michigan Representative John Dingell, who heads the Energy and Commerce Committee, which monitors the coupon program. Dingell just recently sent a letter to the NTIA, asking how many coupons are lost in the mail and how it's handling the problem. The committee is also considering a bill to extend the coupon expiration period from three months to six.

If you cannot get coupons, the good news is that digital converter boxes are expected to drop in price over time. Said Jamal Purvis with Best Buy, "I think you'll see some changes happen in the future, where that price will go down. But when we're not sure."

But Hammond believes every household should get to use their allotted coupons. Said Hammond, "Why should I have to go out a pay $62 to $65 dollars per box, when I'm eligible, as everyone else is in this great country, to receive two coupons worth $40 that will save me some money."

If you've been told you do not qualify for coupons, you can mail this form to the NTIA, which lets you list a post office box to receive coupons.

If your coupons expired or never arrived, ask someone you know to apply and give you coupons they don't need.

If you still cannot get them, let Congress know. Contact the Chair of the Congressional Energy and Commerce Committee, John Dingell.

Representative John Dingell
2328 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4071

You can also send Dingell an email using this link: