Have you gotten the electronic boxes needed to convert your TV set to receive over-the-air digital signals? What about the coupons to defray the cost?

If the answer to either question is no, you might be able to appreciate why the agency running the program to make the transition to Digital TV is asking for more money. The agency is part of the Commerce Department. And under its original mandate, the administrative costs were to be capped at 160 million dollars.

That budget is close to running out and without an additional transfusion of money from Congress, the project could run out of money before the end of January. Part of the program provides households with up to two $40 coupons to defray the cost of a box to receive digital signals once broadcasters are required to switch over to them come February.

If you get your TV signal from a cable box of a satellite receiver, not to worry -- the changeover won't affect you.