When I was telephoned by the shielding helpline a few weeks ago I told them I was fine for food, getting regular supermarket delivery slots.
This morning my husband and I went out for a walk and when we got back there was a government food box in our porch. I really don't need it or want it, although I am grateful that someone is looking out for me, but this would be better sent to someone who really needs it.
I phoned the delivery hub to see if I could get it taken away and future deliveries stopped but was told this was impossible without the government telling them not to deliver. Apparently the only thing to do is go back to the government registration site and fill it out again saying you don't need help with food. But...I do need the special delivery slots and there is no way to say this. Catch 22 situation. I really do not want to go back to having to log on all the time in the hopes of finding a delivery.
I have a friend who refused her box and now Tesco has stopped offering her vulnerable delivery slots.
We gave it to our daughter who helps run a local food bank and help our niece and kids out as they have trouble getting to supermarkets. So put to good use. Dont want to lose supermarket slot like you say catch 22
Oh dear that sounds a problem, definitely do not want to lose the supermarket delivery slot for vulnerable people. So probably best to keep receiving it.
I have been pondering stopping it myself but after reading about this problem I am now thinking I will let it run its course.
When things improve can always gradually filter it back to the food banks, although I have noticed I'm starting to get dented tins which may not be suitable for consumption.
I have found some links about food storage and dented cans - I will post separately.
Same here. The Shielding helpline called a few days ago to speak to my mother (who is over 70 and in the vulnerable category). We told them we don't require the food boxes - but one was delivered yesterday! I did go to the government website and re-register, as luckily we have managed to get a couple of delivery slots in the past 2 months. My mother would rather the food box go to someone who actually needs it. Maybe there is a local food bank/charity in your area who could even collect it from you?
The food hub it came from told me they had been inundated with calls from people who don't want the boxes! Yet it seems they can do nothing about it.
Yes I looked up contact details for the local food bank, but only an email so one has no idea how long it will take for someone to get back to you. Before I could do that my husband had offered it to some gardeners working next door who took it gratefully.
It seems you can ask the deliverer to take it away if you get to the door in time, but that would then have to be done every week!
Ah... now I have found the following:
How to stop the weekly government food parcels:
If you received an NHS letter and if you have registered as shielding, you may have received a weekly food parcel. This will contain enough food for one adult for one week.
If you want to cancel this, do one of the following:
refuse the parcel when it is delivered, this will then cancel it and remove you from the government distribution list
go to GOV.UK where you registered as shielded, go to the question 'Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?'. You previously answered no to this question, please now reply as yes. You will then be removed from the government distribution list
call 0800 028 8327 and make sure you have your NHS number (this will be on the top of your NHS letter). This is an automated phone line and you will need to follow the instructions. You will be asked the question 'Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?'. You previously answered no to this question, please now reply as yes. You will then be removed from the government distribution list
Please note that deregistering from the food parcels will not cause you to lose your priority status slot for supermarket delivery.
I was told, that if I said I had no problems getting food on the Government site, in order to stop the boxes, I would then be removed from the supermarket delivery slots, so HAD to keep getting the boxes. Luckily, in my area there is a collection service, to give the boxes to the local food bank.
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yes that is what I mentioned on a previous post, but you have said above that someone did this and then couldn't get the priority supermarket slot ! So if this is so in all cases back to how it was before getting on the shielding list, no food parcel and no priority delivery slot !!
Well if you go ahead and cancel the food box will you keep us informed if you continue to get the priority supermarket slot for several weeks please?
Before I was acknowledge as needing to shield I could not get a supermarket delivery and I really woudn't want to be back in that position.
I have deregistered twice. Food boxes keep on coming but I still have my recurring slots with Asda. ( I didn’t have a recurring slot with them until I was put on the list. I only shopped with them a couple of Christmases ago.)
I finally managed to deregister, but truthfully was only successful in doing so once I had got a priority online delivery slot. As soon as I received my letter I registered saying that I did not need help, but the food parcels kept on coming. I phoned my local council, having been previously contacted by them to check I didn't need help and told them I didn't need the parcels. Like many others I am extremely grateful knowing that the support is there but I don't need it. A family member had been dropping off supplies and now thankfully I can do my own shopping online. It does seem to be different in different areas though.
I have the same dilemma but fortunately I divide it up and share it between 4 of my elderly neighbours. They so appreciate a couple of carrots, a few potatoes , a couple of tins each etc. They look forward to their little treat that arrives by magic on their doorstep every Monday . I also add a bar of chocolate 🤷♀️waste not......
I have had the same problem. I have had 3 food boxes now. After the first one I deregistered on the website. The second one still came - I caught the delivery driver this time - he said he couldn’t take it away but could put a code in his machine that would stop them. Third one came this week!!!!! I have given up!!!! Waiting for the council to do their next welfare phone call to ask them what to do. I have managed to get our local Covid19 support group to take away lots of what came to redistribute to those more needy. We will see what happens next Tuesday.
I cancelled my food boxes, was told to go back on Gov website and say you don't need help. I have still got priority shopping from supermarkets. Hope this helps x
Hi yes I was getting the food box and then Tesco sent me an email to say I was on there priority list for home delivery I click on their priority list on a Wednesday at 5 pm and they ask if I want a delivery between 10am and 2pm or 6pm and 10pm on the following Friday I have had this service now for 5 weeks. I De registered from having gov food boxes after 1st Tesco’s delivery and had no problems with priority service.x
After I deregistered online with gov.uk the next Friday I had a Box come but managed to tell him through the window that I didn’t need it and he took it away x
Same problem so I share my box out between my elderly neighbours and they are really grateful as rely on others to shop for them( but not on extremely vulnerable list).
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