On vulnerable list but still not able to get delivery slots?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

My husband has had the dreaded letter from the government telling him to shield. This was weeks ago and he immediately registered on government website. We still haven't been able to get supermarket delivery slots. He called Tesco this morning (who I have an online account with) and they've checked the database and told him he's not on the government list. So he's just registered again but we have no way of knowing whether this has worked.

Has anyone else had this problem? Seems like the system is fundamentally flawed.

Yes, we have. It seems very inconsistent, we had Asda and Iceland contact us saying they have been given details from the list- don;t really shop with them much and tend to use for parents.

Others like Tesco and Waitrose can't find us though. Now i am stuck as it also says can't be used for relatives, so now it is tricky to use delivery for parents, worse than before.

Not sure what the way forward is. Have you seen the Morrisons food boxes? I got one of them next day to parents without any pass etc.

He's had contact from no one. Yeah have seen the food boxes and will use if desperate but would rather find a way to get a full shop if possible.

Marks also have some food boxes but they do keep selling out so check back for more option. www.marksandspencer.com/l/gifts/food-boxes?scroll=1

This is interesting my husband is on the list, he was told he had to create a new account with Tesco's add the account was in my name.
Sainsbury's - still waiting
Iceland's - nothing

Everything is in my name as I do the shopping not his

How do they check, on postcode?

Maybe if you sign up on the supermarket websites it might help, as the email we had said they had us registered on their website. Although some like Sainsbury's seem not to be taking new customers. It's not easy I know.

Asda and Iceland were the ones contacted us. Took some time though and not ideal.

If you can't. Tesco release their slots at about quarter to midnight every night for about 3 weeks time and sometimes in early afternoon they'll release some appointments for the next day or 2. It's not ideal but might be helpful in the short term x

We are signed up. And he already has a Sainsbury's account in his own name. They don't have him registered as vulnerable. Feels like the system is useless.

I wouldn’t wait until you are desperate. Get some items from the boxes to tide you over. You can always share with neighbours if you do get a slot and don’t need them. It’s 12 weeks minimum you’ll be needing after all

I think they got the email address I provided on the gov.uk website, and linked that with the email used as a customer on the supermarket website previously. I'll find the messages we got for you.

Iceland-

Dear (name),

The Government has provided us with the data of the people who have self-declared, or that the Government has identified, as potentially vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ve used this data and have identified your account from our records. We therefore wanted to reach out to you to let you know that we’re here for you and would like to help.

We are releasing thousands of online slots on Thursday 9th April for delivery Saturday 11th April to Monday 13th April and would like to give you priority access.

To gain priority access please click the link below on Thursday 9th April between 10am and 11am.

Please note that you will not be able to gain priority access at any other time or directly through our website. Online delivery slots are only able to be booked by you via our website. Unfortunately, we cannot book a slot for you if you contact us or our stores directly.

Asda-

Email:
(address given)
You've been issued with a Priority Pass

Hi

We recently got in touch to let you know Asda is here to help you stay safe at home.

Great news! - Your priority pass is now ready to use.

Get started
Choose a slot
Please visit our website to place an order and not our app. You can Sign in and choose from available timeslots that work best for you.

You’ll get first priority to book slots as they become available.

Make it a recurring slot
Be sure to make your slot a regular recurring slot for peace of mind so we can deliver to you every week.

You’ll see the "Make this a recurring slot" option after choose your delivery time.

Confirm your order
Make sure you confirm your order by midnight 2 full days before the slot is due. You’ll be able to amend your order until 10pm the night before it arrives.

Help us ensure your order arrives on time by only amending your order once and only if urgent.

Stay safe. We are here to help.

Regards,
ASDA Online Groceries Team

Thanks @Orangeblossom78. How long did it take for those to come through after registering on gov website?

Are you shielded too? It’s fine for non shielding family members to go to the shops. This happened to us. I cannot get any slots so my OH has to go out.

No I'm not shielded but if I'm out and about at the shops then he has to shield even from me and clearly we'd rather avoid that. The point of my post was to check whether the system was working for anyone. You don't have to have everyone in the household vulnerable in order to qualify for priority.

No, I know. It’s tricky not having delivery slots.

Did you tick needing help with groceries? I think you may need to tick that one to have your name passed on. Make sure the accounts you have are all in the vulnerable person’s name and sign up to as many as possible.

Are there any local shops doing delivery?

Cook were offering food delivery for those on the vulnerable list - very tasty frozen ready meals - though not the cheapest.

Good luck!

It's just frustrating that the government are acting like everything is fine and all under control/people getting the help they need etc etc and then the system doesn't work as it should. Difficult times, I know. But it's annoying.

The system isn't working for me.
It's frustrating and like you I don't want to have to shield from the family but it does mean no trips to the shop etc

God knows who's getting all the bloody slots then! 🙄

Guidance suggests you should try to keep away from one another, if possible. Know it’s hard.

What should you do if you have someone else living with you?
While the rest of your household are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves, we would expect them to do what they can to support you in shielding and to stringently follow guidance on social distancing.

Minimise as much as possible the time other family members spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
Aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, you should use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Make sure you use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.
If you do share a toilet and bathroom with others, it is important that they are cleaned after use every time (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.
If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they are present. If you can, you should take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.
We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face, and clean frequently touched surfaces.

I'm in the same boat (undergoing chemo) - I've had a text and letter, but nothing from the supermarkets.

The council has put a volunteer in touch with me to do a weekly shop for now but I would like to be able to do something for myself

Another option is to contact the hospital department your husband is under (if he is under a consultant) and ask them to check that he is on the list and get him added if not.

I have 2 children who need shielding and both have Autism, there is no way I can stay away from them.
But I can not get priority delivery slots because you can sign up for kids 🤷‍♀️

Can not*

Two of my neighbours are shielding but haven’t been able to get any slots so I’ve now being doing their shopping each week. Could one of your neighbours go for you? Unfortunately it’s appears that there are more people needs slots than there are available.

Thanks they have already confirmed he is on the list and his consultant has said that he doesn't have to shield from me as long as I'm very careful too.

I know slots are in high demand, even from the vulnerable, but the issue is that the supermarkets are not recognising him as vulnerable for whatever reason, probably because the gov haven't passed his details on. It's frustrating to say the least.

Same for me.
I received the letter and text on Tuesday and managed to speak to Tesco this morning. She checked my postcode and said I was not matched so there was nothing she could do. Just suggested I speak to my GP to check, although I’m not quite sure what I would be checking. I have had two letters, one from hospital and one from GP. A few texts also, so I am pretty sure I am on the list. May be it takes a while for the supermarkets to catch up. I am registered with Tesco, Sainsburys and Ocado but none have contacted me.