Many families face economic hardship and uncertainty when it comes to purchasing basic household furnishings. To meet this challenge, they often turn to free furniture vouchers and support from governments and non-governmental organizations.
Additionally, some nonprofit organizations partner with furniture companies to provide free furniture to low-income families in need.
Organizations that support low-income families often distribute a variety of basic furniture items, such as beds, mattresses, sofas, tables, cribs, and kitchen cabinets.
If you or someone you know belongs to low-income, furniture vouchers can help families to get free or greatly reduced furniture. Non-profit and charitable organizations such as Catholic Charities, Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others can help with furniture vouchers.
- Apply now: Churches That Help With Beds
10 Ways To Get Free Furniture Vouchers
Here are the easiest 10 ways that will offer you free furniture vouchers. Contact these organizations now to get free furniture vouchers.
Salvation Army
You can find free or cheap furniture through the Salvation Army Furniture Voucher Program. This program can also provide free clothing and basic household items.
You must be low-income and moving or living in emergency housing to qualify for a furniture voucher. People who are homeless can also apply for assistance. Visit your local Salvation Army to ask about this program or contact them.
Freecycle
Freecycle is a site designed to match people looking to recycle old items with people looking for free items. It is a great site that allows you to get a variety of free items.
The site encourages people to reuse items, which is better for the environment and helps people who need items, such as furniture.
Ashley Furniture – Hope to Dream Program
Hope To Dream is a program by Ashley Furniture whose main goal is to provide free mattresses and bedding to children in need. This program works through partnerships with local charities and organizations.
Hope To Dream program requirements include:
- Disadvantaged children ages 3-16 who do not have beds.
- Families with very low income, living in poverty, or transitioning out of homelessness.
- Referred by a school social worker, case manager, church, or other charity.
Ashley Furniture’s free bed assistance program is a helpful option if you are looking for free furniture for low-income families.
St. Vincent de Paul Furniture Vouchers
St. Vincent de Paul helps local people in need. Your local St. Vincent de Paul organization can help with rent, utilities, transportation, clothing, food, furniture, household items, housing, and referrals no matter where you live.
Like Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army, the organization offers furniture vouchers. Click here to find local St. Vincent de Paul assistance and services near you.
- Apply now for the Churches That Help With Furniture
American Red Cross
You may be surprised, but the American Red Cross can also help provide free furniture and other essential items after a disaster. Specifically, it has helped thousands of families after disasters like house fires, hurricanes, floods, typhoons, and earthquakes.
Some of its benefits include providing overnight shelters, food assistance, distributing emergency supplies, health services, and mental health assistance. But it also offers post-disaster support, including grants and financial assistance to help people get back on track.
Goodwill
Goodwill is a great organization to reach out to if you need help paying for furniture. They have a lot of donated items that they are willing to donate to those in need.
Like the Salvation Army, you can get a voucher to spend on furniture. You can take your voucher to your local Goodwill and use it to buy furniture. So if you’re looking for free furniture, contact your local Goodwill.
NextDoor
NextDoor is a social media platform that connects people in the same neighborhood or community. It’s a great place to find free furniture locally.
To get started, sign up for NextDoor and verify your address to join your neighborhood community. Browse the “Free” section, where members are constantly posting items they’re giving away for free.
You can even set up alerts for specific keywords. Set up alerts for furniture-related items, so you can get notified whenever someone posts free furniture in your area.
Furniture Banks
The goal of Furniture Banks is to “ensure that gently used furniture and household items are returned to the community to help get children off the ground and families settled in a furnished home.” The Furniture Banks network connects furniture to those in need.
To find a furniture bank near you:
- Search the North American Directory of Social Furniture Reuse Organizations.
- Visit the individual furniture bank’s website for details on how to access their services.
- Visit the Getting Started guide at furniturebanks.org/furniture-banks.
Habitat ReStores
Habitat ReStores are independently owned and operated reuse stores by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. ReStores sells high-quality merchandise to the public for a fraction of the retail price.
Purchasing donated items helps Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate, and repair safe, affordable homes in their community and around the world.
Take online surveys and earn gift cards for free furniture
While this will take some time, since furniture isn’t cheap, one way is to earn gift cards. You can earn gift cards by taking online surveys and doing other online tasks, and you can use those gift cards to help you earn free furniture.
So it works like this: You can get gift cards to places like Amazon or TJ Maxx as a reward for taking online surveys or earning points in other ways. Simply collect the gift cards until you reach the amount you need to buy the necessary household essentials.
How to Apply for Free Furniture Vouchers?
Here the step by step application process is described. To get free furniture vouchers follow these processes.
Identify the Right Organization
Several charities and nonprofits offer furniture assistance. Start by identifying the ones that provide furniture vouchers in your area, such as:
- The Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Catholic Charities
- FEMA (for disaster survivors)
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Local churches and shelters
Check Eligibility Requirements
Every organization has its requirements including income, residence, or other conditions, for instance, being a victim of a disaster, being homeless, or being a victim of domestic violence.
Gather Required Documentation
Common documents include:
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of government assistance)
- Identification (driver’s license, passport, or ID card)
- Lease or utility bills that show that the person is a resident of the state.
- Other documents (for example, reports of domestic violence or letters of disaster relief).
Apply Online or In Person
- Online: Some organizations such as The Salvation Army enable you to apply for furniture assistance online. Search for an application or an assistance form to complete.
- In Person: You can apply at the organization’s office or a branch near you if any. Contact a caseworker who will explain the process to you and inform you of further actions.
Wait for Approval
It may take some time before your application is approved after you have submitted it. You will be informed through phone call or email when your application has been approved.
Receive the Voucher
After approval, you will either be given the voucher or told to come and collect it from the office of the organization. The voucher is often valid in certain thrift stores or furniture affiliates of the charity.
Conclusion
Low-income families and people facing economic hardships don’t have to worry about furnishing their homes. Many NGOs, charities, and government programs offer free furniture and assistance to ensure that everyone has access to basic household furnishings. By turning to these resources, those in need can find support in creating a comfortable living environment.
Many American families have received support from the organizations listed above, among others, which continue to provide valuable resources to help low-income families. If you need free furniture for your home, consider applying for assistance from one of these organizations.
FAQs
Where is the best place to find free furniture?
Freecycle is the best place to find free furniture.
How to get furniture when you’re poor?
Free or Affordable Furniture for Low-Income Families or Individuals in Need Nonprofit and charitable organizations such as Catholic Charities, Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others may be able to assist with furniture vouchers. To qualify for furniture vouchers, eligible low-income applicants typically include: People who were formerly homeless and now reside in a home.
How long does it take to get a free furniture voucher?
The time taken to receive a voucher depends on the organization in question. Some may take a few days to process the applications while others may take weeks. If there is a high demand or a waiting list, then it may take a longer time.
What types of furniture can I get with a voucher?
Vouchers typically cover essential household furniture, such as:
Beds and mattresses
Sofas and chairs
Dining tables and chairs
Dressers and storage items The specific items may vary depending on the organization and availability.
