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.
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.
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.
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