If you come from low-income households in the United States, then only you know how tough it is to cover basic needs, right? Even the necessities are hard to fulfill with such low income. You cannot even think of buying stuff that makes things easier. Well, in between all this, what if we tell you that you can get a free refrigerator? Yes, you have heard it right!
There are certain programs through which you can get a refrigerator for free subject to the eligibility requirements.
Want to know more about these programs? Keep reading further!
What Are Free Refrigerator Programs?
Free refrigerator programs for low-income households are assistance programs that offer energy-efficient refrigerators free of cost to families who are facing financial hardships.
These programs focus on helping low-income families in saving their money on energy bills. Not only this, but they also assist in reducing the consumption of energy as well as improving the quality of life.
These programs are generally offered by non-profit organizations, government agencies, and utility companies. The applicants need to meet some income requirements to get the benefits of these programs.
Moreover, these programs operate based on community support, social welfare, and charitable refrigeration principles. All these programs have a well-structured application process. The low-income families can apply for these programs as per the eligibility criteria.
These programs offer assistance and contribute to enhancing the food security and overall well-being of low-income families. The availability of free refrigerators enables low-income families to keep perishable stuff like vegetables, fruits, and dairy for a long period. This also reduces the wastage of food.
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Who Offers These Free Refrigerator Programs?
These free refrigerator programs are offered by government agencies, and community support as well as government agencies. By offering free refrigerators through charitable initiatives, these programs aim to address the issues faced by low-income households.
Here is a list of free refrigerator programs for you :-
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LIHEAP Free Refrigerator Program
LIHEAP is an acronym for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It is an indirect government assistance initiative that can lead to free-of-cost appliance replacement. Their focus is mainly on reducing the utility bills of the households.
The low-income home energy assistance program is one such way the federal government assists low-income households. And you know what? If you join their program, then you might get a free refrigerator, as well as other items. Moreover, this is only possible with the help of the federal government. The main goal is to make life easier for these individuals.
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Energy Star
The next one on our list is Energy Star. It is a voluntary program that is run by the EPA also known as the Environmental Protection Agency in the US. It promotes energy efficiency and assists consumers in identifying energy-efficient products (refrigerators).
The refrigerators provided by Energy Star fulfill the strict energy efficiency guidelines. They can even lessen the electricity consumption when compared with the other older models.
The low-income households can purchase these energy-star-rated refrigerators and can benefit from energy savings.
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Free Refrigerators On Craigslist
Craigslist is an online advertisement platform where individuals can purchase, sell, and even give away various items such as refrigerators.
The low-income households can check the “Free” section on Craigslist in their local areas to see if there is anyone who is offering refrigerators free of cost. It is very important to be a little cautious and ensure that the condition of the appliance is good before purchasing.
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Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Coming over to our next program that is WAP. It provides free refrigerators to low-income households. The program mainly aims at offering free energy-efficient refrigerators to eligible families.
Moreover, the WAP is funded by the United States Department of Energy and it is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. If you are a low-income household that is struggling to pay your energy bills, then you will be eligible for this program.
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CARES Act
One other free refrigerator program on our list is the CARES Act. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes this program.
It is an indirect government initiative that provides free refrigerators to eligible households. Not only this, but they also offer washers, dryers as well as stoves. The administration of this program is at the national level.
Who Is Eligible For Free Refrigerator Programs?
The government offers free refrigerators to low-income families. However, there are certain conditions to that. The federal government requires the states to make their eligibility criteria for offering free refrigerators.
So, to be an eligible applicant for these programs, the earnings of your family must be less than 60% of the state average income or even 150% of federal poverty needs. However, the federal government updates the FPG and SMI and then makes their announcement in the Federal register.
How To Qualify For A Free Refrigerator?
Here are the following qualification requirements :-
- If you are a citizen of the United States or have citizenship of the United States, then you are qualified to participate in these government grants.
- However, if you are below the age of 18, then you cannot apply for these subsidies.
- Next, if you have applied to the other grants at the same time, then your application might get rejected.
- Also, proper documentation is necessary like residency proof and, income statement to get qualified.
Conclusion :-
So that’s all about it!
For individuals who are seeking assistance with free refrigerator programs, there are plenty of options available. There is a program for every situation. But you need to understand that these programs tend to change with the situation.
Make sure to stay in touch with the representatives of the respective programs to stay updated about the changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a frost-free refrigerator?
Frost-free refrigerators are refrigerators that prevent the buildup of frost by circulating the cool air all through the interior. You do not need to manually defrost the refrigerator. This leads to less wastage of energy and keeps the food fresh for longer.
Are the Refrigerators Brand New or Refurbished?
Most of the free refrigerator programs offer new and energy-efficient refrigerators. Whereas, some programs offer refurbished refrigerators. Before taking the benefit of any program, make sure to check what kind of refrigerators they offer.
Do People Get Extra Assistance To Reduce Energy Costs?
Yes, there are various other programs like LIHEAP, WAP, and company-sponsored programs which are designed to assist low-income individuals in saving energy costs by offering financial assistance, home weatherization services, and energy-efficient appliances.
