THOUSANDS of hard-up households can get free energy saving appliances this winter.
The gadgets, which include slow cookers and electric blankets, are being given out by councils to struggling residents.
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So if you can’t afford to purchase the appliances don’t worry because you could get them for free.
In most cases you’ll need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the help.
The gadgets are being dished out as part of the government’s Household Support Fund.
Councils have been given a slice of the new funding on offer, which will be given out to struggling households to help them with the rising cost of bills and food.
The appliances being offered vary from council to council, so what you get depends on where you live.
To find the support available in your local area check your council’s website.
We’ve rounded up the councils which are offering money saving gadgets to its residents.
South Hams
South Hams District Council is using part of its share of the HSF to give out free slow cookers, electric blankets and throws, and cookbooks to residents in need.
The council has worked with local businesses to get the goods for its residents.
It said it is targeting foodbanks and warm hubs to distribute them.
The electric throws cost from as little as 5p per hour to run.
So when compared to the cost of keeping your central heating on for hours, they can be a more economical way to keep warm.
Slow cookers cost an average of 8p per hour, instead of 68p per hour for a traditional oven or cooker.
The cookbooks also being handed out include recipes for residents to try with their slow cookers.
South Dartmoor Community Energy (SDCE) has been distributing these goods on behalf of the council mostly via foodbanks.
The items are given out as part of a package of energy advice and support.
The SDCE website has set out eligibility criteria for people who can get the package.
It includes people home owners, private tenants, social tenants who also:
- Is in receipt of a benefit or
- Is suffering from a cold-related illness or other long term health condition or
- Is over 65 or
- Has a child under 5 or
- Is struggling due to a different vulnerability or
- Has a household income below £31k (after housing and utility costs) or
- Spends more than 10% of their monthly income on energy costs
If you don’t fall into these categories but still need help, you can get in touch to see what’s available to you.
Swindon
Families on low incomes in Swindon can get free slow cookers too.
Having given 60 last year, the council has now increased the total given out to more than 100 with more to come.
Cooking demonstrations are also being provided to help residents learn how to use the cookers.
People don’t need to apply for the free gadgets, the council said it is working with local charities to dish them out to those struggling.
For more information contact Swindon Borough Council.
Camden
Residents in Camden can get various different help under the HSF.
The council has put its remaining share of the fund in its Cost of Living Crisis fund.
The support you receive could be appliances to help you reduce costs such as a slow cooker, air fryer or microwave.
You can apply for money from our Cost of Living Crisis Fund if you are in urgent need of financial help.
To apply, you must:
- be over 18 (over 16s can apply if you live independently)
- have lived in Camden for at least six weeks
- provide proof that you are in urgent financial need
There are several ways to apply for support, you can:
- call Citizens Advice Camden on 0808 278 7835
- speak to your neighbourhood housing officer, if you live in a council home
- contact one of the council’s advice partners
Keep an eye on the council website for further updates on the scheme.
Other ways you can get energy saving gadgets for free
If your local council doesn’t provide white goods under the HSF, there are other options available to you.
Some energy companies are giving away freebies including electric blankets and smart thermostats.
To help struggling households, Ovo Energy is handing out free electric blankets and smart thermostats to some of its 1.5million customers.
It’s part of Ovo’s £50million customer support package which launched on October 1 to help those in “real and immediate need”.
You can get two electric blankets and one smart thermostat per household.
The support is available until March 31.
When you apply for help, the supplier takes into account things like household and disposable income and medical needs.
That means that not everyone who applies will get the package, and you might not get everything that is included.
Customers can chat to an adviser online to check what support they could get.
Octopus Energy is also giving away free electric blankets, which can cost between £30 and £100 usually,
Octopus Energy sets no formal eligibility criteria.
But the supplier has said that the blankets will only be available to people who will benefit from them most.
This includes elderly people, or those with specific medical conditions which make them immobile, very unwell, or feel cold.
To check if you are eligible for help, call the Octopus Energy helpline on 0808 164 1088.
Water companies are giving out free water – and energy – saving gadgets like regulated shower heads worth £20.
You will need to visit the Save Money Save Water website where you will then need to fill in a short survey about your water usage.
It will ask questions such how many people live in your home, how many showers you take a week as a household and if you water your garden.
After filling out the survey, you will be redirected to your water supplier’s website to claim the freebie.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk
