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Original poster

Does anyone know if there is any help to buy a cooker?

119 replies

lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:20

Hi,
I am a regular user, but have changed my username as I am ashamed to be writing this. Does anyone know of any schemes/charities that may be able to help buy a cooker? I began receiving universal credit 2 months ago due to leaving my husband and I have 2DC one of which is severely disabled. I have just finished university and qualified in a great profession but due to leaving my Husband and now having to be the only carer for (in particular) my disabled DC I can't work at the moment. I am not able to get a budgeting loan from UC as I haven't claimed it for 6 months. I received a grant from the family fund 6 months ago before my situation changed. The charities I have looked at require a letter from someone such as a social worker which my DC doesn't have or an occupational therapist- but my DC has been discharged. I honestly thought when I qualified I would get an amazing job and things would be so much better. I never imagined I would be in this situation. Things are so tight at the moment and I have never felt so low. Please don't suggest saving up (as I need a cooker now and it would take such a long time to save) or getting one on finance (my credit history is now poor due to my husband leaving and being unable to pay the bills). Thanks

OP posts:
Suitcaseseverywhere · 26/09/2021 08:25

Microwave with a convection oven is under £100 from Argos.

HarryHedgehog · 26/09/2021 08:38

Op, do you have a town residents group? We have one in our town and a lot of local towns and villages here have them.
People often post on there “does anyone have a ?? For sale” and lots of people end up responding?

MargaretThursday · 26/09/2021 08:41

Ask your local church if they know of any local schemes.
We have a local one that uses revenue from hiring out allotments, and you apply for a grant for exactly this sort of thing. They have a form for what you want and they'll come and measure up and buy you an oven. You can't choose the oven, but you'll get one.
They used to just give money for people to choose their own, but discovered some people were misusing this to get cash.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
HalzTangz · 26/09/2021 08:52

Make a post on Facebook market place asking for a free or cheap cooker. You will be surprised how many people will over you one.

I'm alway seeing adverts like this on Facebook market place (and also spotted pages) and loss of people comment to say they can help

Frustratedmummy79 · 26/09/2021 08:53

Children in need emergency essentials will provide one. You definitely meet the criteria if you have a child with a disability. You'll need to ask one of your child's professionals to apply on your behalf but they aim to supply the item within 14 days of application.
They only supply specific ovens/cookers (they supply the item rather than giving you the money to buy it yourself) but from what I could see there should be something on their list that meets your need

HalzTangz · 26/09/2021 08:55

@BoreiPuriHagafen

What's wrong with a hob and microwave? Our oven broke last year and we are managing fine with just the gas hob and microwave. My kids are about the same age as yours.

If money is that tight and you have a microwave it's really not a priority, is it? What is it that you can't cook in the microwave or on the hob?

Most meat joints, pies, pasta bars, loads of stuff need a oven
Saladovercrispsanyday · 26/09/2021 08:57

Drop a message on your UC account to ask for advice / help.

What’s the profession?

user1471538283 · 26/09/2021 08:59

Post on facebook market place that you would like a free one and there may be something for the cost of a man and a van. We've got a charity recycling place in our city that sells things like that very cheaply. Would your GP be able to refer you to somewhere?

HalzTangz · 26/09/2021 09:03

@lovedne

I don't feel like I need a carers assessment. I can manage day to day. Things are hard but there are people in a much worse position then me. I don't want to take services from someone else who desperately needs the help. It's just big expenses like this that are difficult. I am too scared to approach school as I don't want them to think I can't cope or provide basic things for my DC. Obviously if I have to then I will, I just can't believe I have got myself into this situation. I feel so down and low about the whole thing. I thought some land of golden opportunities was waiting for me when I finished university. I worked so hard and achieved a first class degree which I now can't use as the caring role of my disabled DC just feels overwhelming. Sorry for offloading, it just all feels to much sometimes
But getting a carers assessment could help provide care so you could return to work. Your child's needs are as important as anyone elses. Do you claim carers allowance.

Get your child assessed and claim everything you are entitled to

Myfanwyprice · 26/09/2021 09:07

If you’re in Essex there is www.lighthousefurniture.org/ who might be able to help, good luck Flowers

Autumngoldleaf · 26/09/2021 09:10

Op can you buy something to tide you over until you get going with your new job?

My oven broke way back in march!! We decided to take the plunge and get a new kitchen entirely which meant a fitted oven not a free standing one.

So we got an air fryer for £50 and a two ring electric hob.

I can't actually remember cooking with an oven now! We can do nearly everything on the air fryer and it's fast and easy but you have to cut pizza down before you put it in... And a chicken we tired wasn't that nice but all other normal cooking products are great!!
Maybe something to consider to make your current situation easier to hear?

WE will be until late October for our new kixthen

Autumngoldleaf · 26/09/2021 09:12
  • there is no way we could have coped with just a microwave! We have one the air fryer is essential.

It doesn't just do air frying.. It has loads of other modes including bake and roast etc.

CatsCatsCats11 · 26/09/2021 09:12

I'm a support worker if your child gets DLA have a look at family fund, they do grants you can apply for once a year with a disabled child.

BoreiPuriHagafen · 26/09/2021 09:41

@HalzTangz

Most meat joints, pies, pasta bars, loads of stuff need a oven

I cook all of those in my combi microwave.

Well, not "pasta bars", as I have no idea what that is.

Op never answered the question anyway. But hopefully she got what she was after from this thread.

Despite needing to namechange due to being so ashamed.

AnotherEmma · 26/09/2021 09:54

Hi OP,

Please contact your local Citizens Advice, they will know about grants and can help you apply.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

I work for a local Citizens Advice and we administer the council's local assistance scheme, we often get cookers for people who need them. If the scheme is not an option for whatever reason (client already used it, scheme closed until next funding round, or other reason) there are other options that we explore and we are usually able to get the client what they need.

Also, it sounds as if you get DLA for your DC - do you also get Carers Allowance? If not you should claim it ASAP and request backdating. You can also ask for Carers Premium to be added to your UC.

Ask Citizens Advice for budgeting advice too, you might be eligible for cheaper energy and water, etc.

gogohm · 26/09/2021 09:57

Ask on Freecycle and local Facebook marketplace if anyone has one, you would be surprised what people have in their garages or perhaps they are having a new kitchen this week. Worth a try

AnotherEmma · 26/09/2021 09:59

PS Is your husband paying child maintenance?

timesachangin · 26/09/2021 10:00

We got ours donated secondhand from an amazing local Facebook group. See what's available in your area?

Before we got it I got a counter top electric oven off marketplace for £20. It was fine for a few months. I couldn't do big meals but it served a purpose for sure.

MrsHookey · 26/09/2021 10:03

Hopefully family fund can now sort out an emergency. I once needed a sofa and they took six months.

FreeBritnee · 26/09/2021 10:11

I would find my local residents group and put a post on there. I’d be amazed if no one came forwards to help.

Whitefire · 26/09/2021 10:19

There is some links on here

www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/benefits-if-youre-sick-disabled-or-a-carer/charitable-grants-for-ill-or-disabled-people

I agree with others than you should speak to CAB, there is help out there it is just being able to access it.

Original poster
lovedne · 26/09/2021 10:23

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am feeling a bit better and more positive this morning. I am going to go to my citizens advice bureau tomorrow and/or call my local council and see if they can help.

I have applied for carers allowance but it's taking a long time due to me only just ending university. They need all sorts of proof that I am no longer studying/when it ended etc. Husband isn't paying any maintenance as he isn't working.

I don't cook meat joints, as just for me and one DC so it's a waste of money really. If it doesn't work out with council/CAB I will buy an air fryer. I will post on local Facebook groups too.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
RandomMess · 26/09/2021 10:34

I wondered about contacting your local Salvation Army they are usually great at helping in practical ways.

Longer term find out if there is a credit union near you.

ChristmasFluff · 26/09/2021 10:36

Your professional body will usually not need you to have worked at all in order to access the benevolent scheme, only to have membership with them.

Autumngoldleaf · 26/09/2021 10:36

@lovedne

Air fryer then.
It's smaller, Cooks more quickly I shave so much time off all cooking time eg.. Frozen croissant says 15 mins at 200c. I just cooked some in 5 mins!!

It roasts, bakes... Does loads more.. I did beautiful sweet corn in butter the other day.. Etc.

You may actually not want a full on oven when you have tried one!