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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...to request a food bank voucher.

179 replies

Ashamed2BFeeling · 06/09/2019 04:42

My DW and I are struggling a little this month. We're both contracted to part time hours and take as much overtime as is available.

However, due to an accident at work, I had a couple of weeks off and our pay packet two weeks ago was really underwhelming. Having paid our rent and a massive (late) council tax bill, we didn't have enough money left to do our monthly food shop.

We already owe family money, so borrowing from them isn't an option. We don't have a great credit rating so that's out the window. And we've sold off any old electronics, CDs and DVDs that could bring in a few extra quid.

We've visited a food bank before, but this was a good five or six years ago, when we were both out of work and waiting on Universal Credit. It seems a little hypocritical to be visiting a food bank when we are already in work.

Has anyone ever been in this situation, in work but still too skint to afford food? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks. :)

OP posts:
Witchend · 06/09/2019 07:55

For our local foodbank you need to be referred to get enough for a month, and I don't know how they decide whether to refer you.
However you would definitely qualify for a one off emergency pack, which would help.
It's not going to be very interesting at this time of year-it's their lowest point just after summer holidays and before harvest donations. It's likely to be bags of pasta and tins of beans level, but it'll be good food!

Definitely go and ask. The emergency packs are exactly set up for this situation.

dottiedodah · 06/09/2019 07:57

I think this person should not feel any shame of needing some help in an emergency .Just because one person hasnt needed to use it despite difficulties ,doesnt mean everyone else who may be at a crisis point should be stopped from using it.This is what Society is about .Those who have more giving to the poorer people ,Maybe a person buying a tin or two extra when out shopping to large corporate fund raisers all helps those in need .No doubt when their circumstances improve they can buy some extra food now and then as well .

Bumbags · 06/09/2019 07:57

@dipi I presume you would lose your benefits if you took on paid work.

You are still a nasty person though. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Not much we can do about that.

Maybe think before you speak though as clearly the op is struggling.

Op......what food do you have in? Can we help to stretch it for you?

SaskiaRembrandt · 06/09/2019 07:58

I agree the government are ultimately responsible for in-work poverty. They have allowed a situation to develop where a significant number of people can only find zero/low hour contracts that leave them in precarious financial circumstances. Certain employers love this because they can flout employment law, but it's detrimental to the individuals who suffer it and to society as a whole.

WitchDancer · 06/09/2019 08:00

I volunteer at a food bank and would have no problem with you attending. Circumstances like this are why we exist.

You can get vouchers from many places - Council, doctors, sure start centres, schools, citizens advice centres, job centres and a lot of other independent places. Possibly best to google it.

Shame you're not in our area as I could have signposted you exactly. 😔

Catladiesaremyheroes · 06/09/2019 08:00

I regularly buy in bulk and donate to local food bank.

I don’t do that so that I can sit in judgement on who may or may not have the pleasure of my surplus tea bags/beans.

Get to a food bank by any means. You can always have it in your future dreams to help out or donate to one when things improve for you.

Good luck, I really hope this passes soon for you and your family gets back on its feet.

Pollywollydolly · 06/09/2019 08:01

Foodbanks have their own systems in place to ensure they aren't accessed by undeserving applicants. They don't need people on here to try and regulate their use by judging others on the basis of a paragraph summing up their circumstances.

OP the process for referrals varies from area to area, give your local CAB or council a ring to find out how to get referred in your area, they will see lots of people in your situation and will be happy to help.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 06/09/2019 08:03

OP ignore the unpleasant poster here - absolutely go to a food bank. The way society is going is so depressing, with people not wanting other people to be helped. I hope your situation improves soon Flowers

FairyDust92 · 06/09/2019 08:04

@Dipi you're being utterly vile! The OP has every right to go to the bloody food bank when he is in need. You mentioned you have benefits... well you have something to fall back on then don't you. The OP probably doesn't get benefits to help him out. If you're '100% disabled' how are you alive yet alone bloody typing. Keyboard warrior. Move along!

FairyDust92 · 06/09/2019 08:04

Also I take it your £1500 is after tax... if you pay tax of course 🙄

Iwantacookie · 06/09/2019 08:06

Dipi why are you acting like an arse?
If DWP suddenly decides your not disabled enough anymore and stops your benefits? Whose fault would that be?

OP go to the food bank if you need to. Then write to you mp and complain.

Noone in 2019 should be using a food bank.

MrsGrindah · 06/09/2019 08:08

That’s what it’s there for and you know in your heart if you need it, regardless of what other people say. Just out of interest are you sure you were on UC 5/ 6 years ago as back then it was only available mostly for single people in the initial areas? Not being pedantic but it might mean your experience of what you can claim as a top up now is different

Starlight456 · 06/09/2019 08:09

Just echoing what others have said. Use the food bank.

Just an add on..Are you managing your debt.. you say you have a lot of debt..The CAB may be able to help you with that,

AmIThough · 06/09/2019 08:09

I've RTFT and just stopped by to say I'd much rather know my taxes were helping @Ashamed2BFeeling than @Dipi.

@Ashamed2BFeeling you work hard and you've hit some hard times. It happens to us all. Please don't feel guilty for asking for some help.

When your circumstances improve, you could even donate some food yourself, if it would help you feel better.

Please make sure you and your family have food on the table.

@Dipi if you'd like to PM me your details I'll happily report you for benefit fraud.

AmIThough · 06/09/2019 08:10

I don't know why that weird bold thing happened ^

justheretostalk · 06/09/2019 08:11

My monthly income is 1,500. That's work and benefits

But you said you literally can not work? Confused Which is it?

If you can volunteer in a shop, you can go and get a real job for actual money.

OP, use the food bank. That is what it is there for.

Lowlandlucky · 06/09/2019 08:12

You need to eat, so please go and ask, dont feel bad. Hope life improves soon

kaytee87 · 06/09/2019 08:13

I work in welfare and have given food bank vouchers to all sorts of people, some of whom were employed.

Catmint · 06/09/2019 08:16

Hi OP, your circumstances are similar to those of lots of people who get into debt when they have very little financial buffer, and then something out of their control goes wrong.

I think that it is much better to use a food bank rather than get into what could end up being a long term, miserable debt issue which could affect your health and spiral into a worsening situation.

Please contact a CAB and ask for a benefit check. You may be entitled to an in-work benefit that you aren't getting.

By the way, Not all CAB's give food vouchers ( they are all different, all independent charities which provide services according to what funding is available etc, and demand for those services is very high that's why waiting times are sometimes lengthy) but they will know how to access them.

Good luck

peppaporkysandwich · 06/09/2019 08:16

We are Family with one disabled adult and one disabled child. Because of that we are on uc ( which is 💩 and keeping us in poverty) food banks were a life line during the summer hols this year.

BarrenFieldofFucks · 06/09/2019 08:17

The majority of foodbank clients are in work in my experienceConfused

FamilyOfAliens · 06/09/2019 08:18

OP, I work in a school and issue food bank vouchers for two food banks - one run by the Trussell Trust and the other by the Salvation Army.

You would be eligible for both.

Derbee · 06/09/2019 08:18

@Ashamed2BFeeling I’m sorry that things are tough for you guys at the moment. Just to echo other PPs, you absolutely shouldn’t feel bad for needing to use a food bank whilst you’re working. It’s awful that people like you need to use food banks. I feel angry about it, because it’s so unfair, but you absolutely have the right to when you’re struggling for food. That’s what they’re there for.

And @Dipi you sound like an absolutely awful person. Firstly, kicking someone when they’re down. Secondly, the person you’re kicking s it working and paying taxes so that you can dick around in a charity shop and live on handouts. Have a bit of self awareness. Criticising the OP is like someone asking how you dare to have children when you’re disabled and unemployed. Presumably the only kind of person who would ask you that is the kind of nasty bastard that you are.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 06/09/2019 08:27

I donate to a food bank and I would much prefer you to go to the food bank than be forced to take a payday loan to eat (potentially turning a blip into cycle of debt)

chocolatemademefat · 06/09/2019 08:29

You can’t not eat and surely food banks are there for people in your situation. Ignore dipi she’s being nasty and goady. Get a food bank referral and when you’re back on your feet just donate what you can afford. When I donate in the supermarket it’s not with conditions attached - I hope things improve for you.