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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:

Whitefire · 26/09/2021 10:38

Glad you are feeling a bit more positive this morning, sometimes it is the seemingly little things that end up overwhelming us.

BarbaraofSeville · 26/09/2021 10:40

@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 microwaves don't have an oven or grill function, so no good for anything supposed to be crispy, ie pizza, nuggets, chips etc.

Good luck with the council/CAB, but in the meantime, if you have a toaster, do you know you can do potato waffles in them? They need 2 cycles at maximum setting.

Might make a change as you can have something like waffles and beans (and an omelette/scrambled egg if DC will eat this).

BarbaraofSeville · 26/09/2021 10:41

But the air fryer sounds like a good plan anyway, especially if you're only ever cooking for 2. Or maybe one of those mini ovens?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits

BillMasheen · 26/09/2021 10:47

Just want to echo what a pp said about professional bodies…

You usually don’t need to have to. have ever worked in the profession, just been a member.

Looking at the T&Cs mine could have offered grants, loans and advice had I been in your situation.

insatiableme · 26/09/2021 10:52

If you are in Wales you could try the discretionary assistant fund (DAF) they can help with household items.

dangermouseisace · 26/09/2021 10:56

We have a “furniture bank” in my local area and they help people on low incomes out, including with white goods. Do you have something like this? Your local council, “housing related support” service or advice centre (eg citizens advice) might be able to advise you.

ThatLibraryMiss · 26/09/2021 10:57

How were you planning to work before you left your husband? Who was going to take care of your disabled son? I'm assuming it wasn't your husband, as if he was so bad you left I don't suppose you'd want to leave your child with him. Is this childcare no longer available to you, so you can get that amazing job?

Theimpossiblegirl · 26/09/2021 10:58

Contact your local church groups. Ours has a furniture scheme that includes white goods.

AnotherEmma · 26/09/2021 11:01

Everyone keeps going on about white goods. Cookers are not white goods! White goods are fridges and washing machines.

HollowTalk · 26/09/2021 11:01

Why isn't your landlord sorting this out?

Postdatedpandemic · 26/09/2021 11:04

Counter top halogen ovens are quite cheap and cook loads of things. Some are bigger than others so have a good look around if you need to do pizza.
www.argos.co.uk/product/6982641

WrongKindOfFace · 26/09/2021 11:05

@lovedne

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

Are you getting carers premium on UC? If not just report a change that you’re caring and if your child gets middle or high rate care you get an extra 163.73 a month. You don’t need to be getting carers allowance. That’ll go a long way towards a cooker. www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Additional-Elements-of-Universal-Credit#guide-content

Some utility companies also offer a white goods grant. And keep an eye out for when the warm homes applications open as that’s a grant towards energy costs.

Thethreecs · 26/09/2021 11:16

@HollowTalk

Why isn't your landlord sorting this out?

This

Whitefire · 26/09/2021 11:33

@HollowTalk

Why isn't your landlord sorting this out?

Has the OP said what her housing situation is?

Whitefire · 26/09/2021 11:34

@AnotherEmma

Everyone keeps going on about white goods. Cookers are not white goods! White goods are fridges and washing machines.

In the context of grants white goods include cookers.

TurnUpTurnip · 26/09/2021 11:56

White goods include cookers with my council, they brought one to my house and was going to install it but couldn’t because I only have gas connections and they only provide electric cookers, hence why I ended up getting one on my sister Argos card, I wouldn’t let my pride get in the way of asking for help because my kids being fed is more important. I had a year to pay it back.

WhiskeyNeverStartsToTasteNice · 26/09/2021 12:32

I would keep checking, or asking, on local Facebook groups, Freecycle, Freegle (more active than Freecycle here), Gumtree and Nextdoor. There are often cookers etc advertised round here.

HollowTalk · 26/09/2021 16:16

@whitefire I asked about her landlord simply because it didn't sound as though she owned her home outright and she wouldn't get a mortgage on such a low income.

ErrmWTAF · 26/09/2021 17:10

You're getting loads of help, but can I ask, what's wrong with your cooker?

I ask because mine (bought new, nearly two years ago) never worked well - took me several months to figure out why (its thermostat was broken). Took me until, like, sometime this past week to do a Google/YouTube search or two and realise that I can replace it myself with a c.£20 part and about 10 minutes' DIY.

I am ABSOLUTELY not trying to minimise your need, btw. Just hoping it's more easily fixable than you think at the mo. (And, given all the shite you've been through recently, it's completely understandable if your head is a'wobble.)(shit, I'm three years out - what's my excuse?!? 😃)

Btw, your local council and/or nearest women's abuse charity might be able to help either in sourcing a new cooker or on a DIY course. So many of us don't have the rudimentary skills, and it's SO empowering knowing this stuff!

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