newbie 1st post. on benefits, need help with broken washing machine

freezergeeza

i am totally broke- not helped by the jobseeker allowance~ being delayed this week -and now my aging washing maxhine has finally siezed up..

* calling their helpline has used up all my mobile phone credit, being left on hold or told they are busy and try again.. i have been trying all ### day aaafgggghhh!

I am still not sure if/when it will get paid.. local jobcentre just direct me to their phones, to call JSA centre..

anyway, was i? oh yes. w/machine defunct.. does anyone know if there are grants or loans available to get a new(ish) one? i do not fancy traipsing to the local aundrette each week, and spending what money i may eventually get on non essentials..

would the council do this? any leads are very welcome!


many thanks.

zappster1966

Assuming you're receiving income based JSA ...

Possibility of a social fund community care grant, if they determine the lack of a washing machine would cause exceptional difficulties for you & your family.

If you've been on JSA(IB) for 26 wks you can apply for a budgetting loan for a new washing machine ... fairly straightforward form, might take a week or two to assess though.

Final option is a crisis loan ... and most Social Fund Officers will refuse on the grounds that hand washing is not a risk to your health & safety.

If you receive contributory JSA you're on a sticky wicket when it comes to help from DWP, sorry.

nfp20

personally if your in dire need why not go through your local free cycle and then save up for a replacement later on. Unlikely that you will get money for a washing machine from the government they don't deem it a necessity unless you have vast numbers of children or are disabled.

Felicity

I doubt very much that you will get a free machine from the council, otherwise nobody would be using launderettes!

Twice in my life I have had to use launderettes for extended periods of time. I couldnt afford washing machine repairs at the time and using the local launderette was the obvious solution. I not for one minute assumed I could apply to get a free one from the council!

I assume you are job seeking at the moment so presume you have the time to go to the launderette?

Yes, it is not pleasant but hey ho, needs must.

Have you tried freecycle?

Good luck!

Auzelia

my mum never got money for a new washing machine, she was told to wash the clothes in the bath even though she is ill.
and that was with kids at home.

yelowee

You could apply for a budgeting loan if you have been on benefits for more than 6 months, no interest and they subtract a payment from your benefits at source until it's paid off. I'm paying one at the moment, I needed to borrow £500 for some kitchen appliances and the re-payment is just over £10.

yelowee

But I agree freecycle would be a good idea if you don't know of your local one look here http://www.freecycle.org/

bestpud

freezergeeza wrote: »

anyway, was i? oh yes. w/machine defunct.. does anyone know if there are grants or loans available to get a new(ish) one? i do not fancy traipsing to the local aundrette each week, and spending what money i may eventually get on non essentials..

would the council do this? any leads are very welcome!


many thanks.

As you said yourself, it is not an essential item, and also you are able to use a launderette, and for that reason, the only way you may get help is through a loan.

Keep an eye out in your local paper too as people sometimes sell them fairly cheap if they have a new kitchen or move house.

[Deleted User]

We recently bought an excellent washing machine from a guy that sells reconditioned ones with a 6 months gaurantee,free del and installtion and he took the old one away all for £85

brightonman123

freezergeeza, i feel your pain, re JSA delays!

f/cycle seems best bet for now, for rplacement washing machine.

black_paw

on our recycle group there is often washing machines dish washer ect, join up on some sites to see . good luck