All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
HELPING HAND All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HOUSEHOLDS can get free white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer.
Essential appliances aren't cheap to come by, with Which? estimating the average price of a fridge freezer is around £800.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Households can get help covering the cost of white goods through a giant fund
Credit: Alamy
But you might be able to get help with the up front costs through a giant government fund.
The Household Support Fund is worth £742million and has been distributed between councils in England.
Further money has been issued to local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What help you can get and whether you qualify for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria.
However, in most cases you will be in line for support if you are on a low income, benefits or vulnerable.
Some areas are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them too.
We've rounded up some of the councils offering residents help with the cost of essential household appliances.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering thousands of hard-up households help.
Some can get help covering the cost of white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and even beds for children.
The council wouldn't say how much the average price of a white good someone will receive might be.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills
Households requesting help must be referred to the council by someone like children's services, adult services or Age UK.
You'll need to be of limited income to be referred. The criteria you must meet is:
Single adult in work: Your household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance)
Two or more adults in work: Your household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance)
Your household savings must be under £2,000
If you're a pensioner, you can have savings up to £16,000
If you have received help towards the cost of white goods from Blackburn with Darwen Council in the last 12 months, you cannot get help in this latest round.
More details on the scheme and how to apply are here - www.blackburn.gov.uk/cost-living-support/household-support-fund.
Isle of Wight Council
Isle of Wight Council is distributing funding to local organisations to help residents pay for energy-efficient white goods like ovens and fridges.
That means if you want help you will have to apply via either your local town or parish council, schools or colleges or a local charity.
If you are on a low income or benefits, it's worth contacting the Isle of Wight council to see if you qualify for help.
The number to contact is 01983 823644.
Enfield Council
Enfield Council is offering free white goods to households in need, with home delivery included.
Those who qualify for help will be contacted by a supplier who will arrange for any appliances to be installed.
You will need to prove you're struggling financially to apply though. To apply, you must:
live in the borough of Enfield
have an annual household net income of less than £40,000
have less than £1,000 in savings
To find out more and apply, visit: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-money-advice/household-support-fund.
Southend-on-Sea City Council
Southend-on-Sea City Council is open for applications from hard-up residents - and households can get white goods.
Households can also apply for help covering the costs of beds, bedding and clothing.
You can apply for help if you're 16 or over, live in the Essex area, are on a low income and fit any one of a number of criteria.
For example, one of these criteria is that you need help to ease "exceptional pressures" on yourself and your family.
Another is that you cannot meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency like a fire or flood in your home.
For more details and to apply, visit www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund/4.
Barking and Dagenham Council
Barking and Dagenham Council is distributing support to residents through a number of means including help towards the cost of white goods.
The council has said help will only be given to those who need an appliance due to an emergency.
To be eligible you need to be living in the borough and struggling with rising living costs like food and energy bills.
You also need to prove you have previously taken steps to boost your income by claiming council tax support, housing benefit, Universal Credit or another benefit.
More details can be found via www.lbbd.gov.uk/household-support-fund-hsf.
What to do if you live outside these areas
If you don't live in one of the above areas, check your local council's website to see what help you can get.
You might not be able to get help covering the cost of white goods but may be eligible for other help.
For example, Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those on benefits.
Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit.
You can find what council area you fall under via www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended.
The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of people will get free £140 cash in their bank accounts – are you eligible?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of households are set to get free cash payments of £140 landing in their bank accounts in the coming months. Cornwall Council has revealed it will be making the payments to struggling households in the area through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 The cash payments will be made automatically to people who meet the eligibility criteria The HSF is a £742million Government fund shared between councils in England. Councils are currently in the process of distributing their share of the fund - but what support you can get varies depending on where you live. Cornwall Council has received £7.9million in the latest round of funding, which will run until March 31, 2026. The funding will be used to provide one-off cash payments for households and will land in bank accounts over the next three months. The payments are aimed at helping people struggling to afford energy and water bills, food and other essentials. They will be made automatically by the end of November this year. Unlike with some councils, you won't need to apply to get the payments. The payments are worth £140 each and they'll be sent out to: Pensioner households who are receiving Council Tax Support Adults who need home care and receive help towards the costs from the council Families who receive Council Tax Support and have children. You'll get £140 per child in this case Families living in emergency accommodation that has been organised by Cornwall Council's Housing Options service. Again you'll receive £140 per child. You'll be assessed based on whether you meet this eligibility criteria on September 30. Household Support Fund So if you think you might be eligible for this support there is still some time to apply. If you are not currently receiving Council Tax Support but are on a low income and think you may qualify, you can get more information on Cornwall Council's Benefits and Support pages online. You can check if you're entitled to Council Tax Support or other financial help using the council's Benefits and Budgeting Calculator. If you're eligible for a Household Support Fund payment you'll receive a letter or email from the council in November. It will tell you how much you'll be paid and how you'll receive the payment. You won't be asked to complete any online forms or provide any bank details. The remaining money from the fund will be sent to the council's partner organisations to help people struggling. They include Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Community Energy Plus, Citizens Advice Cornwall, Disability Cornwall and IoS, and Cornwall Carers Service. You can get in touch with one of these organisations if you need support. What about if I don't live in Cornwall? You may still be eligible to get support through the HSF if you don't live in Cornwall. But whether you're eligible and what support you can get depends on where you live. This is because each council decides how it will spend the money. The Household Support Fund, which was first established in 2021, is designed to help those on low incomes, benefits or classed as vulnerable. So if you fit into any of these three categories, the chances are you will qualify for support. The best thing to do is visit your local council's website where most have a page dedicated to the Household Support Fund. Or, you can contact your local council's customer service helpline to inquire. The latest round of Household Support Fund runs until March 31, 2026, and some councils have already opened up for applications. Households in Birmingham are being urged to apply for £200 payments. Meanwhile, low income households in North Northamptonshire can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
New £200 cost of living cash payment available for UK households
The money is part of the Household Support Fund, which is a pot of cash awarded to vulnerable households by their local council to help with the cost of bills Struggling families are being urged to check if they are eligible cost of living payment worth £200. The cash is being issued by Wealden District Council as part of the Household Support Fund. The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash awarded to vulnerable households by their local council, to help with the cost of bills such as food, energy, and water. Each council gets to decide what type of help it distributes - so whether it provides vouchers or cash - and who is eligible for support. This means the eligibility criteria does vary depending on where you live. Wealden District Council is giving payments of £200 to people receiving Universal Credit that also includes the Housing Costs element, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or getting Severe Mental Impairment exemption. It comes after reports DWP state pensioners are set to be given 'extra £352' completely free. You must be aged 18 or over and a resident within the Wealden District Council local authority area. If you're eligible for a payment, the money will be sent within 14 days of your successful claim. You can apply between now and September 30, 2025, if you did not previously receive a payment under the last round of the Household Support Fund. A second window will open from October 1, 2025 until March 31, 2026 for any remaining eligible claims. If you're not a Wealden resident, it is worth checking what support your local council can offer you through the Household Support Fund. For example, West Berkshire Council was awarding cash payments to households that are "in crisis" and in need of financial support. If you are in a household with three or more children, you will be awarded £300. Households with one to two children will get £250, and other households with no children could get £150. Ribble Valley Borough Council is giving out food vouchers to eligible households that have a combined household income of less than £35,000 per year. You can get a £200 voucher if you live alone, £300 if you live in a households with two or more adults, or £500 for households with children. City of Doncaster Council is providing help to households that are in receipt of certain benefits, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit and free school meals. If you're in a household with one dependent child, you will get a £100 payment for food, while £200 will be paid for two dependent children, and £300 for three dependent children. Hull City Council is giving £200 to pensioner households. Meanwhile, low income families will get a £40 school uniform grant, as well as food vouchers in school holidays for those eligible for school meals.
Daily Mirror
12-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
Parents issued August 31 deadline to save up to £7,500 in childcare
Working parents of nine-month-olds can already access 15 hours of free childcare a week, but this is rising to 30 hours a week from September - here is how it works Families are being urged to check if they qualify for up to 30 hours of free childcare a week before an upcoming deadline. To receive funding in time for September, you need to apply by August 31. The Department for Education (DfE) claims eligible families could save up to £7,500 a year by using the free childcare scheme. Working parents of nine-month-olds can already access 15 hours of free childcare a week, but this is rising to 30 hours a week from September. If your child is between the age of nine months and two years old, you must be earning the equivalent of the national minimum wage for 16 hours a week, on average, but less than £100,000 a year, to qualify for free childcare. This applies to both parents if you're in a couple. All parents of three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours free childcare a week as standard, regardless of whether they are in work. It comes after a state pension warning for millions of Brits who are between two specific ages. Working parents with children of these ages can claim the full 30 hours if they meet the earnings criteria. Free childcare hours are usually taken over 38 weeks to cover term time, but you can normally spread it out further by using fewer hours a week. The free hours must be used with a registered childcare minder, such as some private nurseries or state-run pre-schools. The rules above apply to England. There are separate free childcare systems in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You have to register for free childcare through with your National Insurance number or if you're self-employed, your Unique Taxpayer Reference. You will also need the UK birth certificate reference number of any children you're applying for and the date you started, or are due to start, work. If you are married or in a civil partnership, or living together as though you are, then you must include your partner in your application. Once your application is approved, you will receive a code to give to your childcare provider. HMRC will check you are eligible for free childcare by using your PAYE records. Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: 'Our Plan for Change is about backing families and delivering on the promises we've made. 'This landmark expansion of funded childcare will help parents save money, work in the jobs they love, and give more children the best start through high-quality early education. 'By extending 30 hours of childcare to children from just 9 months old, we're making a real difference to everyday lives. We're working closely with nurseries and childminders to make sure parents can access the support they're entitled to. I encourage all families to visit the Childcare Choices website before the 31 August deadline.'
