How to access groceries if you're vulnerable

calcotti

Duffer56 said:

I had the 12 week letter and I am now on 'the list' for priority slots for supermarkets.
I am now also receiving the Government food boxes because I am on 'the list'
As I can do my own own shopping on line as I have access to the priority slots I no longer need the government food parcels.
If I de-register and come off of 'the list' then presumably will lose access to priority slots so wont be able to get food delivered so will need to register.........
How can I find out how to cancel the government food boxes but still remain on the supermarket priority list
I phoned Tesco this morning to check it out and they advised not to come off of 'the list' as they couldn't guarantee to keep me on the priority slot list

A conundrum a lot of people are facing. Some posters in other threads have said their food 'parcels' came with contact details and they were able to cancel them. Although I am shielding I am leaving the house in ways I consider reasonably safe to do and I've been taking my food down to the local food bank where I can drop it outside the door. If you have a local food bank perhaps you can see if someone can take your unwanted food there for you.

happyandcontented

I have an acquaintance who can go out, but chooses not to because she lives with her mother who is 75 (but in excellent health), and who has managed to get priority slots with Tesco despite not having a letter or being on any list.

 I assume she didn't tell the whole truth when she spoke to the dedicated priority line. 

Gonna-be-debt-free

happyandcontented said:

I have an acquaintance who can go out, but chooses not to because she lives with her mother who is 75 (but in excellent health), and who has managed to get priority slots with Tesco despite not having a letter or being on any list.

 I assume she didn't tell the whole truth when she spoke to the dedicated priority line. 

I think it varies hugely from area to area, and even supermarket to supermarket.  Does she live near you / use the same supermarket?  

wo

My husband is on the extremely clinically vulnerable list & has received the gov/nhs letters about shielding. Because we hadn't heard from any of the supermarkets we were registered with (for deliveries or c&c slots), he answered 'no' on the gov website to being able to safely access food. He then started to receive a weekly food box, which I think was organised by our county council. We were then contacted by Asda & Tesco. Asda has given my husband a delivery pass (no charge) & allowed him to book a weekly slot, at a time of our choice. It's very comforting to know we have a slot & not obsess every day about checking availability on each of the websites. Our experience with Asda has been the best. Thank you Asda!!! Tesco has given my husband access to priority delivery slots & we've been able to book a couple (to alternate with Asda if we can't get something there). Tesco's schedule covers 3 weeks so you can book ahead. Tesco is charging vulnerable people £2 delivery which is much cheaper than the usual £6 or so. Tesco has been the next best. Sainsbury's is using the email address registered on the gov website, not the name, so that's why we didn't hear from them - our account uses his name but my email as I tend to do the orders. Having changed the email, we were then added to the list. There were some c&c slots I could book but the schedule is only for the next week so you can't plan very far ahead. Sainsbury's is our closest & usual supermarket so given a choice, this is where we'd have shopped but our experience has not been as good as with Asda & Tesco. All the drivers are great, so thanks also to them. My husband has updated the Gov list to say he now has access to food (so the food boxes have stopped) & the supermarket deliveries have not been affected. I'd urge people to update the gov list & to not accept a box (the driver will take it away if you haven't touched it) if you genuinely don't need it.

happyandcontented

Gonna-be-debt-free said:

happyandcontented said:

I have an acquaintance who can go out, but chooses not to because she lives with her mother who is 75 (but in excellent health), and who has managed to get priority slots with Tesco despite not having a letter or being on any list.

 I assume she didn't tell the whole truth when she spoke to the dedicated priority line. 

I think it varies hugely from area to area, and even supermarket to supermarket.  Does she live near you / use the same supermarket?  

Yes, she does and it is the same supermarket.