HARD-UP households can apply for free kitchen appliances – alongside schemes for cash handouts.
Councils across the country are vouchers for culinary tools such as air fryers and slow cookers, plus white goods such as washing machines.
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Households can make a claim as part of the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), which is worth £842million.
The money is provided by the Government and distributed among councils in England.
The local authorities then decide how to share their portion of the fund among residents who need it most.
That means it varies from council to council which appliances are available, with some offering air fryers as well as washing machines.
You’ll need to check with your local council for details.
We’ve rounded up some of the councils offering the handy gadgets to local households and how to apply.
Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets Council is offering thousands of its residents a helping hand this winter.
It will look at the information in your application to see what support you need.
A professional will need to collect the following information first.
They will need to know the following:
- Where you live
- Who you live with
- Your circumstances
- Your income
- Your health
- What help you are applying for
Vouchers will be awarded to enable residents to purchase the items that they require, such as furniture.
If white goods, such as a washing machine or fridge are required, then these items will be purchased through the scheme and the delivery will be arranged with the resident directly to their home.
Household goods will be paid by voucher, which will be received within five working days of the decision being made.
More details on how to be referred are available on the council’s website.
Brent
Brent residents can also receive support through the HSF.
The help includes essentials linked to energy and water, including soap, sanitary products, winter clothing, blankets, boiler service/repair.
To apply, households must be:
- Brent residents
- 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 RSF application in the last 12 rolling months
Essex
Essex Council is also offering thousands of its residents a helping hand.
Locals who satisfy the criteria could receive a number of helpful items and benefits including:
- Furniture
- Household furnishings
- White goods
- Clothing and footwear, including school uniforms in exceptional circumstances
- General living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries and money for pay-as-you-go fuel meters.
Check your entitlement with the free, independent and anonymous benefits calculators on GOV.UK.
