Last Updated: July 2025

Our charity can provide funding for essential household appliances, provided you meet our grants criteria.

If you're a parent looking for help with white goods or help with essential appliances, use this page to see if we may be able to help you.

Quick links:

Who can apply for an essential appliances grant?

You may be eligible for a grant if you work or have recently worked for a fashion or textile employer and are caring for a child under 18. Click here to check if you can apply.

We help parents in many situations, including:

• You are in arrears with your household bills, have debt issues
• You are caring for a child or family member with ill health or additional needs
• You have been made redundant
• Your employer has reduced your contracted hours of work
• You have recently suffered a relationship breakdown, separation or divorce
• You are signed off work sick or have a long term illness
• You are facing homelessness or have recently had to move home
• You are a kinship carer
  
• You have suffered the bereavement of a close family member

Unlike a loan, FTCT grants never need to be repaid. They’re a gift to help your family through challenging times.

What essential appliances can the grant help with?

We may be able to help with essential household items like:
•    Cooker/Oven
•    Washing machine
•    Fridge
•    Freezer
•    Other essential small electrical appliances, including a toaster, kettle or microwave.

These items must be essential, e.g. a replacement for a broken appliance. We cannot fund dishwashers or boilers. Please note, we only contribute standard fixed amounts towards white goods.

We can also fund other items such as clothing, technology for study and specialist equipment to support a child's health needs. See a full list of What We Fund and What We Can't Fund

Real family story: How this grant helped a family.

FAQs: grants for essential appliances

Can I get a grant if I rent my home?
Yes. Whether you rent or own your home, you can still apply if you meet our other eligibility criteria.
How long does it take to receive the grant?
Most grants are processed within 4 weeks after we receive all the documents we need.
Do I have to pay the grant back?
No. Our grants are not loans and you do not have to repay them.

A step-by-step guide on how to apply for an essential appliance grant

1. Use our online enquiry form to check if you're eligible.
2. If you meet our eligibility criteria, complete our full application form and return it with your supporting documents.
3. We’ll review your application and get in touch if we need more info.
4. If your application is successful, we’ll send the grant directly to you, so you can buy the essential appliance you need. 
5. Return the original purchase receipts to us within 4 weeks of the grant being issued.

Learn more and apply

Visit our grants page (https://www.ftct.org.uk/about-our-grants or https://www.ftct.org.uk/grants-for-families)
Check if you’re eligible (https://www.ftct.org.uk/about-our-grants#employer)
Get in touch if you have questions (https://www.ftct.org.uk/contact)

Don't work in fashion and textiles, what next?

If you're sure you have never worked in UK fashion or textiles, unfortunately we won't be the right charity for you. Try this list of other charities who might be able to help your family.