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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that food banks who limit to three weeks are as mean spirited as Universal Credit?

186 replies

MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 21:39

I have been reading on FB about someone struggling due to problems with universal credit. They say they have used their three food banks and an extra two they gave them!

When I had to have food bank boxes I got one a week until I told them I did not need them any more, I had them for around 8 months. I think three or five is mean and people in need are people in need until they no longer need it, ie, their circumstances change!

My change was actually getting PIP, which meant an extra £300 a month!

AIBU?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 21/12/2017 21:41

Universal Credit is THE biggest shower of utter shite there is.

MrsFionaCharming · 21/12/2017 21:41

Unfortunately food banks don’t have the resources to feed people long term, they’re designed to be an emergency stop gap.

They also provide a lot of help and signposting in order to stop people from needing their help.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 21/12/2017 21:41

It's so difficult as obviously they want to give it to as many people as possible. But yes, if someone needs food, they should be helped. I suppose the problem would be if someone needed it every week of the year and their circumstances weren't changing.

tissuesosoft · 21/12/2017 21:42

Have they asked for an advance?

Spartaca · 21/12/2017 21:42

Foodbanks aren't a long term source of support, they're a crisis support charity. They should provide signposting towards longer term help.

Lumping charities into the same boat as the shower of shite that is UC is offensive.

Rossigigi · 21/12/2017 21:43

They are designed as a pit stop that's why, not a long term solution. So to be used whilst benefits are being sorted etc.

passemoilevin · 21/12/2017 21:44

Food banks and the people that work in them are exactly the opposite of mean- spirited Hmm

yousignup · 21/12/2017 21:51

I understood that food banks in the UK are charities, staffed by volunteers. I am not in the UK, so maybe I am wrong. If so, I don't see at all how they can be considered mean spirited. At all.

Original poster
MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 21:52

It is all very well being signposted to help that is not there!

How did I get the help for so long, when this lady can only get them for so short a time?

The limit is mean, I don't care what you say. If you were living in it, you would understand! I do understand, as I did! Things have improved for me and my family by me getting PIP!

Not great, but not desperate enough to need food banks. But I remember it well.

OP posts:
Amanduh · 21/12/2017 21:54

Yeah, food banks are so mean spirited. Hmm

Original poster
MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 21:54

expatinscotland

I agree with you a lot, but never have I agreed with you more than this....

Universal Credit is THE biggest shower of utter shite there is.

OP posts:
tissuesosoft · 21/12/2017 21:55

They could apply for an advance on universal credit if they're waiting for their first payment to come through

Original poster
MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 21:55

Amanduh

Yes, to limit it to well under the time it is needed!

OP posts:
QuiteLikeable · 21/12/2017 21:57

Well it's not ideal for the person in need, but presumably they're trying to help the greatest number of people possible with limited resources.

Drawing an equivalence between UC and food banks is just stupid though.

Spartaca · 21/12/2017 21:58

Foodbanks are charities. What do you expect them to do? The majority will do what they can including going past the 3 limit in certain circumstances, but they have to protect their stocks to enable them to help as many people as possible. When you don't know how much food you will have coming in in any given period you have to be careful.

Original poster
MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 21:58

tissuesosoft, it is not as simple as that, they got a sanction, which people can get for being in hospital, not having childcare, many other reasons..

Anyway, they are still in need and do not have access to a food bank.

OP posts:
Spartaca · 21/12/2017 21:59

You are speaking as if foodbanks are statutory services.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 21/12/2017 21:59

Resources are short, charities are really struggling. A few years ago, they could give longer term support because the amount of people who required their help was less than now.

They either give one person longer term support or they give two people shorter term support. They are stuck between a rock and an hard place.

tissuesosoft · 21/12/2017 22:00

They could also ask for a Hardship payment- even with a sanction.

Viviennemary · 21/12/2017 22:01

I have never given to foodbanks and doubt I ever will. I'd rather give to a charity like the Salvation Army. I think it should be according to need and not to a silly rule of three times and then that's it.

tissuesosoft · 21/12/2017 22:01

I hope your friend is able to gather enough food for their needs Flowers

gamerchick · 21/12/2017 22:02

You can’t have a pop at food banks man!! Confused you’re focusing your disgruntlement at the wrong people.

I could ask you why you didn’t sort yourself out within those 8 months, were you lazy? ..... see wrong direction. It’s not a race to the bottom.

Christ!

Original poster
MammaTJ · 21/12/2017 22:02

Spartaca, how long could you last 'being careful'? A month? A week? A few days? Answer honestly!

I think, right now, after a couple of weeks of 'being careful' we could now last three days! Luckily DP gets paid tomorrow! He will get a Christmas bonus too, thank goodness, although that was suddenly in doubt a couple of days ago! His bonus is our Christmas!

OP posts:
PantPlot · 21/12/2017 22:03

Well no, I don't think that charities trying to help those most in need are comparable to a government that despises the disabled, the disadvantaged and the poor.

BertieBotts · 21/12/2017 22:04

They have to limit because otherwise they wouldn't have enough food to help everyone :( I'm sure they also wish they could give unconditionally but it's not possible if they don't have the stuff.