Government Food Parcels

[EmmaF91]

So since I started shielding however many weeks ago I haven’t managed to get the food parcels, despite registering as extremely vulnerable. I DID manage to get 2 food parcels delivered to my parents old address in Essex, which was interesting as I live in Norfolk and have for over a year 😅 (apparently I was in the first 600 boxes in Essex too 🙈😅)

After much tail chasing and calling round various people and not getting anywhere, I stumbled on this number and actually got someone who could help! So anyone still not receiving them when they’ve signed up, have asked for and are eligible or them give them a call on;

030 3444 0000 (general enquires ministry of housing, communities and local government).

This is where I found the phone number, and where you may find more information;

gov.uk/government/news/over...

I hope this helps someone who had given up like I had until I literally stumbled across the contact here today 😅

[Wheezycat]

I am so sorry to hear it is so difficult! Though I can’t say I am surprised, as the whole thing seems so bumbling, as it were.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

It’s almost become a standing joke in my family. My brother is listed as clinically vulnerable (confirmed by his hosp con)... he has received 3 parcels (in the 3 weeks since getting contradicting letters), without even signing up to it from the sounds of it, others are struggling to get them, whilst others can’t cancel them!

I have tried for 6/7 weeks now to get them to me where I live. Called multiple different people and agencies and kept being sign posted back to the register website/phone number. No one gave me this number and I called with a ‘I don’t think you can’t help, but I stumbled on this number so thought it was worth a shot’ introduction 😂. And lo and behold they knew what to do!!

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

Interesting! People over 70 or with various not so serious conditions are also called clinically vulnerable, but we don’t get that extra ‘help’. Apparently as from today we are known as moderately vulnerable or something.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

My brother got 2 letters (and yes the arrived at basically the same time 3 weeks ago). One saying extremely vulnerable, the other saying clinically. So he contacted his consultant to ask as I said and was told he was clinically vulnerable. He has tried to stop the parcels I think (as he doesn’t need, can go out to local shop for stuff and is currently WFH so doesn’t need the support in that way either), but so far no cigar 😅.

[Definitelynotjeff]

don't forget morrisons are doing doorstep deliveries for vulnerable people where you ring up and give them an order. it's not as good as an online order where you choose you're own products but you get next day delivery if you ring up early enough

my.morrisons.com/doorstep-d...

they also do online food boxes that you can order online for next day delivery

morrisons.com/food-boxes/ho...

[dawnhaycock]

My daughter who lives with me has been having these delivered every week (Birmingham) I thought it was because I registered for priority shopping slots so I went back online after I registered to say I could get shopping and even added feedback asking them to not deliver anymore but they still keep coming, another this morning.

Does anyone know how to cancel them as it seems such a waste as we don’t need it. I clean everything down then deliver it to the local food bank.

[Mogget in reply to dawnhaycock]

Same - I got them without signing up and then called a number with some automated step by steps and cancelled it that way. That number was on the shielding letter I got from the government - can you have a look at your daughter’s letter? I can also dig out mine later today.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Mogget]

Oh I need to dig that out and see - I can't cancel either, they keep coming! I wanted one but then registered that I didn't once I had supermarket slots and they didn't stop. I wish I could have sent mine over to Emma.

[Mogget in reply to Lysistrata]

Yep that was my situation too! Took me a while to figure out how to cancel them as I assumed they were coming from my local council initially. I’ve dug out the letter - the number is 0800 028 8327 - it’s an automated service to register your support needs. Wasn’t confident it would work but my boxes have now stopped.

[Mogget in reply to dawnhaycock]

Just had a look at my letter and the number is 0800 028 8327

[Singinglouder in reply to dawnhaycock]

If you refuse a parcel when it's delivered, that takes you off the distribution list - that's what I did (they're no use to me, as a gluten-free vegetarian with allergies...). Haven't had one since - according to our local council website, it is an official way of stopping parcels, along with the phone number, but both keep you on the supermarket priority delivery list.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Singinglouder]

Hmm I tried that last week and succeeded this time - the week before I tried to send it away and he said he had to leave it as I was on a list! We shall see this Friday whether sending it away worked.

[dawnhaycock]

I just called the 0800 number and its automated so can only answer yes or no, unable to cancel my parcel. When its delivered the delivery guy leaves it on the door step, I haven't actually seen him yet. I will try leaving a note next week.