Four ways to get free or cheap washing machines, fridges and other essential white goods worth up to £800
HARD-UP households may not realise they can get free or cheap white goods like fridges and washing machines.
But some struggling families may be able to get appliances worth up to £800.
There are many schemes run by councils, charities and even private companies that can help you kit out your home without breaking the bank.
So, if you’re struggling to replace old or broken white goods, help may be at hand.
The levels of support vary, as do the eligibility requirements, but you could get goods worth up to £800, which is the average price of a fridge freezer according to consumer champion Which?.
You may need to be on a low income, receive certain benefits or suffer from illnesses or disabilities to access this support, and what you can get may also depend on where you live.
We’ve rounded up what’s available and how you can apply.
Council schemes that may help you buy white goods
Councils often have schemes that local residents can use to get free or discounted household appliances and furniture.
For example, Norfolk County Council offers second hand and new white goods for those in need.
To be eligible for the council’s scheme you must be claiming a means tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Pension Credit or Tax Credits.
And Manchester City Council provides those who are resettling or moving out of temporary accommodation with basic furniture and white goods.
You can use the government’s council locater tool to identify your local authority and check what support they offer, as well as the eligibility requirements.
Local assistance funds
Many local councils have local assistance funds that provide essential furniture and white goods.
For example, North Yorkshire Council offers households facing financial hardship help.
Under the scheme, households can replace broken appliances free of charge, as well as access help buying food, clothing, beds and bedding.
You’ll need to provide proof of why you need extra support.
This may be screenshots of your online banking statement, proof of earnings and benefit entitlement.
Meanwhile, Brent Council’s Resident Support Fund service helps households in need by providing white goods up to the value of £400, if they move into an unfurnished rented property.
You can apply if you:
- Are a Brent resident
- Aged 18 and over
- Have less than £6,000 savings
- Need support with meeting your day to day living expenses including food and utility bills
- Are not seeking support to pay for an excluded item
- Are willing to comply with any reasonable conditions concerning the payment award, including for example, support from advice agencies
- Have not made a Resident Support Fund application in the last 12 months
You can use the government’s council locater tool to identify your local authority and check whether it has an assistance fund.
The Household Support Fund
Struggling households may be able to claim free or discounted white goods through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The HSF provides financial help to hard-up households, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.
But the current scheme ends on 30 September, unless it is extended by the new Labour government.
Under the scheme funding was given to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area, so the support available varies across the country.
The most common items available are ovens, fridge freezers and washing machines.
Under the scheme Plymouth City Council offers free white goods, as well as supermarket vouchers and cash too.
Households can only apply for the funds if they didn’t access support from the previous round of HSF between November 9 2023 and July 15 2024.
To apply, households must also fall into one of the eligible categories:
- Households with at least one child under 18 who resides in the property on a permanent basis
- Households where someone has a disability or a long term health condition
- Households where someone has reached pension age
- Households with a single occupant receiving help with housing costs.
Applications are now open and you can apply on the Citizens Advice Plymouth website.
Other councils have similar schemes including Croydon, Worcester, Haringey, Enfield, Coventry, Essex and Gloucestershire.
You can use the government’s council locater tool to identify your local authority and check if they have an assistance fund.
Grants for those in specific jobs
If you have worked for a certain company or industry, help may be available to you and your family if you’re struggling financially.
BT Benevolent Fund
One of the biggest schemes out there is the BT Benevolent Fund, which can be accessed by anyone who works at BT or has worked there before, including pensioners and dependants.
You can apply for the BT Benevolent Fund on the scheme’s website.
Insurance Charities
Another fund is the Insurance Charities, which can be accessed by anyone who has worked in the insurance sector for at least five years.
It pays out more than £1.7million annually to current and former employees and their families.
Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust
If a parent or primary carer has worked within the fashion and textile industry for at least one year within the past nine years, they can apply for grants to buy white goods.
This includes working in a supermarket or shop with a clothes range such as Mothercare.
The average amount paid out is £515.
Band of Builders
Band of Builders provides grants to support those who work within the UK construction industry who are facing financial hardship.
Supporting financial evidence and other relevant information will be required to apply and you will be asked to provide proof grants were used for their intended purpose.
Applications can be made on the trust’s website.
The Furniture Makers’ Company
The Furniture Makers’ Company has been providing grants to employees in the furnishing industry for more than 100 years.
It provides grants for essential household items, bills and other expenses.
You can apply for a grant on the trust’s website.
The Veterans’ Charity
The Veteran’s Charity supports those who have worked in the armed forces facing hardship.
They can provide small and large white goods to help battling hardship and distress.
Applications can be made via the charity’s website.
Charity grants
There are many charities that provide help with purchasing white goods.
Most organisations require you to fill out an application form online or in person, listing why you need help.
A response will then be sent to you with details on how to claim the money needed.
To check what you’re entitled to, see the grant checker on the charity website Turn2Us.
Buttle UK
Buttle UK is a charity for children, young people, their families, and carers.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help those dealing with issues including domestic abuse, estrangement, physical and mental health, and substance abuse.
Support packages include money for essential items, including beds and cookers, and help for children’s emotional, social, and educational needs.
Family Fund
Family Fund supports families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
They provide grants for several things, including washing machines, bedding, and furniture.
The grants are paid through specific suppliers and can be used for the total cost of new items or a discount on the cost.
The exact amount given varies in each individual case.
For those in England and Scotland, kitchen goods are supplied by the website AO.
For those in Wales, grants are supplied by Argos, and for those in Northern Ireland, the supplier is Vision Sales.
Glasspool
Charity Glasspool provides grants to help people buy white goods, bedding, and items for children and babies.
There are no specific eligibility requests for this charity, but it says it expects anyone applying to have already made an application for local welfare schemes.
Not-for-profit organisations
There are also not-for-profit organisations where you can find help.
Reuse Network
Second-hand household items are available through Reuse Network – a national network of reuse centres.
You can search on the website for your nearest centres.
The items on offer include white goods such as fridges, cookers and other household furniture, which are restored and tested so they are working properly and safe to use.
You may still have to pay for the items, but for a significantly cheaper price than buying a brand-new item.
End Furniture Poverty
End Furniture Poverty lists everywhere you can find help for buying replacement furniture and essential household goods.
It has a handy tool to put your postcode into to find out what help you can get from your local authority.
It also has a handy list of pre-loved furniture providers to help those on lower incomes pay less for certain goods.
You can find a list of other non-profit organisations on the Turn2us website.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
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