Remember how a few years ago you strutted into a Radio Shack and the 42-year-old dude who lives with his mom explained how by early 2009, every TV signal will be digital and analog will be history? Well I certainly do and now that we’re starting to approach that deadline, the government is starting to bug out a little. If you’re still rocking that old 1991 Sylvania 13-inch you got for $50 without a digital cable box, then you’re either going to have to make an upgrade to digital cable and a better TV or buy a converter box.

Lucky for you though, the government will give up to $80 per household towards converter boxes, which cost roughly $50 each. Anyone can apply for the bonus, but there’s only $1 billion in free funding, so it’s first-come, first-serve. You have until March 31st, 2008 to apply for the help. Good luck.

U.S. Sets Rules for Digital TV Payments [NYT]