...to request a food bank voucher.

[Ashamed2BFeeling]

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 - yes, use the food bank, I donate, not much granted but I try to help because I've been in your situation and it's only because I have better off family and friends I didn't need the food bank. I donate to help people like you who don't have that support I do.
I do not donate to help people like @Dipi (though I do realise that I have no control over who gets what etc) you do realise @Dipi that attitudes like yours are causing the widening divide and contempt for benefits claimants? People like me and the OP work and pay tax, you are receiving a portion of that so you can live in the form of benefits, and no, if you truly cannot work I don't think you should be 'grateful'. You shouldn't however be slating someone for needing help too, it defies logic and it's causing bad feeling and the attitude of scroungers towards sick and disabled people who can't work. The bad feeling comes not because you are disabled or claiming but because you seem to think that a working tax payer is below you, and that makes them feel like a mug in all honesty, well it does me anyway. I'm expected to pay a proportion of my wage to support other people and yet also supposed to not get help when I need it? Fuck off. You're the reason people despise those claiming benefits with your shitty and entitled attitude. Get a job and stop leeching the system.

To be fair to @dipi my friend's ASD son volunteers in a charity shop and is unemployable in any capacity locally, as he needs 1:1 supervision to carry out the most basic tasks.

Although £1500 a month is nearly double what I take home, and I am not eligible for benefits so my sympathy is limited.

No you are not being unreasonable by going for help- that’s what it is there for.

I’ve been out of work for a few years after an accident and further complications affected my back. As a family we always bought gifts at Christmas for children in care. Last year instead, we spent about £80 on food and toiletries for our local food bank. I’m classed as disabled and obviously on benefits, having previous being on a very good salary. I wouldn’t for one minute begrudge you this help- that’s why it’s there. Also research has found for the last 4/5 years, that many people who receive help from food banks are in fact families or couples where one or both adults are working, but are stuck between too much salary to receive help, and not enough salary to live. You are not the first, and by far won’t be the last. Ignore any self righteous twats up thread.

And to clarify, I don't despise people claiming benefits, I despise the attitude of someone like @Dipi, I know not everyone claiming is like that and I'm glad we live in a society where our most vulnerable are supported (although barely) and proud to contribute towards that.

when people who are perfectly capable of working take from the Food Bank.

Dipi You may not be aware of average wages for many people. Some people earn less from work than others receive in benefits so they qualify for help from a food bank. I am surprised you should be so unsympathetic as you understand what life is like on a limited income.

@Dipi, OP is PERFECTLY ENTITLED TO USE A FOOD BANK. ANYONE IN NEED IS. I had to shout, because you don't seem to be understanding. Somehow shouting might make you pay attention.

And you do accept charity. Everyone is contributing money towards the disabled money you get.

And to echo everyone else - if you are capable of working in a charity shop, you are capable of being PAID. So don't give us that bullshit. There but for the grace of god do some of us not have to use food banks - I'm a heavy donator to our local foodbanks, and get very angry when people start thinking they can say who does or does not deserve it. Good for you you have enough benefit money to not have to use them - your benefits are more then than op and her partner get currently through paid work. Who are you to judge? How do you feel when people judge you? Where is your empathy?

You need a serious attitude adjustment.

Ignore @Dipi guys she’s(?) being deliberately goody on all threads this morning. Don’t feed the beast lol.

*goady even!

Even high earners might struggle if they unexpectedly lost two weeks wages. Get the help you need.
Well done for getting the council tax sorted, it is a priority debt and things can get nasty there.

And thanks for the donation nudge Witchend imagine the summer holidays is a high use lower donation time.

Just to clarify, not bitching about disability benefits in and of itself at all - just the attitude of a person like the delightful @Dipi.

@Dipi also if you can volunteer in a charity shop you can WORK FOR MONEY in a real shop.

This. They would make "reasonable adjustments" for you if needed.

The OP, and the rest of us, are paying for you and your kids - you say you're capable of working but don't do so for money, yet criticise the OP for needing help - perhaps if we all didn't pay our taxes to fund you we wouldn't need extra help!

As PP said, it is people with attitudes like yours who give benefits claimants a bad name.

And if you're really Catholic - perhaps you need to brush up. Love your neighbour, and all that.

OP ignore Dipshit and just be glad you aren't like that.

If I were you I would use the food bank, what's the alternative? It is there for anyone who finds themselves short, Work or no work.

OP, go ahead, YANBU. You need to eat, you can’t afford the food shop this month, that’s what the food bank is for. Sorry for your troubles, hope it gets easier, and please ignore the few snipers on here.

If you can’t afford food and can’t get any money then of course you should use a food bank. Not sure why you are asking really. 🤷🏻‍♀️

So glad Dipi's posts (well some of them) have been deleted for the hateful, ignorant bile that they are.

OP, I hope you get a referral - I don't know how long it takes? Of course you are NBU to go - it's unreasonable for you not to!

That's exactly what food banks are for. And I work for an organisation that issues food bank vouchers. Please ignore the horrible commenters.

A person in need is if you cannot make up a meal from what you currently have at home, even if it's a little odd.
Living off beans, soup and bread , or pasta for a few days is acceptable.
Having no basic items to do this means their is need to visit a food bank.
I would be if the adults can still go out and buy a coffee, still be drinking / buying alcohol and cigarettes.

I sometimes donate to the food bank. I would hope that the food would go to anyone who needs food. I don't really care what their life situation is otherwise. I just don't think people in our extremely affluent society should be going hungry.

Money management, addiction, all that stuff is for the food bank administrators and social services to help with. The food/money I give is to fill people's bellies. People need to eat.

If you feel funny about it you can always resolve to make a donation when you're back on your feet

if you are capable of working in a charity shop, you are capable of being PAID. So don't give us that bullshit
People need to stop saying that it’s very often completely untrue.
A poster being goady is no excuse for multiple disablist posts in retaliation.

@MyDcAreMarvel how?
How is someone working in a charity shop different to someone working in a clothes shop/book shop?

I am completely willing to eat my words if you can give an explanation that makes me change my mind.

Dipi Fri 06-Sep-19 07:02:08
I volunteer in a charity shop. Sorry if my English isn't 100%. And, sorry if I'm not right in saying I'm 100% disabled, but my ASD makes me quite extreme. Yes, I have twins. A happy accident. That okay? OP is BU. End of.

You're the only one being unreasonable here, so far as I've read.

OP I hope you've taken all the advice on here and are confident that food banks are completely appropriate for people in your situation. Just as a side note, I know you said you've checked the entitled to calculator, but I just wanted to say that it's not always accurate. DH and I get a small amount of universal credit, but entitled to says we aren't eligible for anything at all. It's worth applying anyway, the application is a pain and worst case scenario you won't be eligible for any help, but if there's even a chance that you could get something, you should apply. If you'd like me to try and help you do a quick calculation, feel free to PM me.

The foodbanks are there to help people over a temporary blip. If you google "the name of your town/city + foodbank" you can probably find your closest one and find out whether you need a referral to be able to access it.

OP please try to get to your local Citizens Advice (you might be able to webchat or help you by telephone - it depends on the area).

Most/hopefully yours will also be able to get you on a payment scheme for your council tax and utilities whilst you try to get your finances in a healthier position.