Households can get FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines or £250 cash
STRUGGLING families can get £250 in cash or free fridges, freezers and washing machines delivered to their doorsteps.
The help comes as part of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) - a huge £742 million fund available to councils across England.
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Enfield Council has bagged £5 million from the HSF to support residents between April 2025 and March 2026.
Support includes free white goods - like fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers - with home delivery for families in need.
Households can also get a leg-up on essential costs like food, energy and water bills, as well as support covering expenses like broadband, phone bills and clothes.
The help is usually given to those who are on a low income, are on benefits or are classed as vulnerable.
Families deemed eligible meet the following criteria, as per the town's council's website.
To claim the money, individuals are told to provide an explanation for the hardship they are experiencing and for the reason that they are unable to cover expenses.
Without this information, applications will be rejected.
The following proof is also required:
Evidence of all household members' income
A copy of a recent bank statement
A utility bill
Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now
There is only one award per household.
Once approved, payments for essentials will enter the applicant's bank account within 10 days.
The council warns that application windows may close depending on demand.
It comes as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is also lending hard-up households a helping hand through the HSF.
Thousands of families will be able to receive free washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 towards the cost of energy.
People must meet the following criteria to qualify:
Single Adult in Work: Their household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance)
Two or More Adults in Work: Their household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance)
Their household savings must be under £2,000
If they're a pensioner, their savings must be below £16,000
But it's not just through HSF that families can receive help covering the cost of white goods.
Some councils are running schemes.
Norfolk County Council has a Client Hardship Service (CHS) offering second-hand and new appliances to hard-up households.
Those who will qualify have an age of 16 or older, live in Norfolk and are claiming a means-tested benefit like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Meanwhile, Manchester City Council provides those resettling or moving out of temporary accommodation with basic furniture and white goods.
By using the government's council locator tool, it's easy to find out which local authorities are offering white goods grants and the eligibility criteria.
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 £742million 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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