Free Refrigerator Programs for Low-Income Families

Also, if you are worried about the electricity or energy bill that will be imposed on you after using these free refrigerators, don't worry. Refrigerators offered through these free programs are energy efficient and consume comparatively less energy than regular ones. And therefore, you won't have to worry about energy bills either.

So what are you still waiting for? Scroll down to learn about organizations offering free refrigerator programs .

Organizations with Free Refrigerator Programs

Here are some of the most popular organizations that come forward to help those in need by offering assistance with free coolers .

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP, or Low Income Energy Assistance Program, is a federally funded program that provides free refrigerators for low-income families . The program helps individuals from low-income families purchase energy-efficient appliances that will further reduce their energy consumption and help them save on energy bills.

Each state administers this federally funded program; therefore, eligibility criteria may differ for different states. Therefore, contact the official LIHEAP team to learn more about the program, its guidelines and policies.

Contact –

Phone number : (202) 401-9351
Fax number : (202) 401-5661

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The U.S. government administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which offers free weatherization services and products to improve a home's energy efficiency and reduce overall utility costs.

The program promotes the use of energy-efficient appliances and provides financing to help low-income families purchase energy-rated appliances, including refrigerators.

WAP Eligibility – 

Preference is given to –

• People over 60 years of age
• Families have one or more members with disabilities.
• Families with children (in most states)

You are automatically eligible to receive weatherization services if you receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. You can sign up for the program at this official link.

Contact WAP to find out more about the program –

Site -  WAP Official Website

Phone – (916) 782-3443 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

LADWP Refrigerator Exchange Program

The LADWP Refrigerator Exchange Program offers new energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR®-rated refrigerators in exchange for eligible older model refrigerators. And this is also FREE . The Refrigerator Exchange Program offers a 15 or 18 cubic foot refrigerator model.

It is one of the most popular free refrigerator programs to help low-income families get a free refrigerator. Anyone can easily apply for this program as long as they are eligible as per the criteria given below and mentioned on its official website –

Savings

Here is what you save through the LADWP program –

• Money – Estimated savings of US$ 60 annually in refrigerator operating costs
• Energy – New Energy Star qualified refrigerators use half the electricity of non-Energy Star models
• Environment – Using less electricity reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligibility criteria for the LADWP Refrigerator Exchange Program:

For candidate 

To be eligible for the LADWP refrigerator exchange program, you must meet the eligibility criteria below –

• The Application must not have previously participated in the program. This means that they should not have already benefited from the same program.
• The Applicant must be a LADWP Electric customer and belong to one of the groups at the time of filling out the form. The two groups are –

1. Multi-residential customers or non-profit
   (property owner or organization has a refrigerator)
2. Customers with qualified income
   (owner or tenant has a refrigerator)

For refrigerator

The Refrigerator, to qualify for the program, must be –

• Located in the LADWP service territory.
• Owned by tenant, owner or organization
• At least ten years
• A minimum of 14 cubic feet (cubic feet)
• In working condition
• Used as main unit – not in storage (must be located in the kitchen for residential customers)
• Connected to a properly grounded outlet. All refrigerator outlets must be properly grounded with a 3-prong plug in accordance with Article 250.114(3)(a) of the National Electrical Code.

How to apply for the LADWP exchange program?

The application process for the LADWP Exchange Program is quite simple. If you are eligible as per the above criteria, please call the number provided or contact us using the email below –

1. Multi-residential or non-profit customers

• Telephone – 1-888-388-6642
• Email – [email protected]

2. Customers with qualifications income

• Online form –  www.ladwpexchange.com ,
• Telephone – 1-800-722-9340
• Email –  [email protected]

For more information about the exchange program, you can visit the  LADWP official website .

Places That Help With Free Refrigerator Programs for Low-Income Families

In addition to the options above, many organizations can help you get free refrigerators for low-income families. If you have not found the above organizations helpful in getting a free refrigerator or if you were not eligible for the above programs, then there is nothing to worry about.

Below are some more options you can try! Not all of them can offer free coolers, but they can at least help you minimize costs to a large extent.

Saint Vincent de Paul

I'm sure you've heard of this name at least once in your life. As one of the largest non-profit organizations, St. Vincent De Paul serves people across the US. You may receive almost no help from this organization. It is free clothes ,  free groceries for low-income families or even  free furniture , and this organization can help you with all the basic needs of human life.

The best part about the program is that it is available nationwide and generally has similar rules that apply to all states. Furthermore, the signup process is quite simple and all you need to do is register. Once you meet the eligibility criteria and consider your application, you will receive a free refrigerator.

Free Cycle

Freecycle is one of the best sites that helps those in need by offering a cheaper buying and selling platform. This incredible website brings together sellers and buyers who can opt for different products at cheaper costs.

Those who no longer use any appliance or item or have replaced it with a new one can sell these old but working appliances or items at lower prices on this website. So, even though it is not free, freecycle offers a cheaper alternative for those who cannot afford to buy a new refrigerator.

Furniture Benches

Don't go with the name. Furniture benches offer free furniture for those who need it and many other useful things. You can also take help from furniture banks to get home appliances for free. The best part about furniture banks is that you will find them in almost every state and city. The procedure for requesting a free refrigerator is also easy.

Just contact them and check if a refrigerator is available. If it's available, you're good to go. Furniture banks act as a bridge in the community, where people donate different items to them, and these banks help those in need even more.

As service depends on availability, we recommend that you order by phone or mail rather than visiting the location immediately if it is far from your location.

Craigslist

Just like Freecycle, Craigslist is another great option if you're looking for a refrigerator at a low price. Of course, you won't get a free refrigerator like government assistance programs, but you will get them for a cheaper price.

For those who don't know, Craigslist is an online portal where many people sell used but working products for free or at cheaper prices. Finding a refrigerator for yourself won't be that difficult of a task on Craigslist.

How to get free home appliances?

Just like a free refrigerator, you can get other appliances for free, for free, or at cheaper prices. There are several ways to do this. You can opt for different state or federal programs or take help from organizations like St. Vincent De Paul and Salvation Army or opt for online sales purchasing portals like  Freecycle or  Craigslist .

Apart from these, you can also try other options like reaching out to friends, family, relatives, and people you know for help. They may know someone who wants to resell their appliances, or perhaps they themselves have a spare appliance that could be useful to you. Either way, asking for help increases your chances of getting what you want.

You can also make use of social media for this matter. There are several pages on Reddit where you can find dealers who want to sell their old but functional items. Or, through your social media contact, you can obtain additional information about cheap or free household appliances.

Conclusion

It was about free refrigerator for low-income families . I hope you have now found the best option for you. If you want more help getting a free fridge, let us know in the comments section below.

Also, if you have more information about other helpful organizations that can help people with low-income families get free refrigerators, don't wait; comment below to help others!