We understand that during the initial waiting period for your UC payment you may worry about buying food, and feeding your household or family.
Food Banks
If you find yourself without food, you may be eligible to visit a Food Bank. To get emergency food that will last a minimum of 3 days you can contact:
- Your local authority – they can arrange a Food Bank voucher for you
- OVH
- Trussel Trust
Tips for eating on a budget
- Write a shopping list – Draw up a weekly meal plan using up ingredients you already have and make a shopping list of any missing items.
- Eat leftovers for lunch – Cook extra portions for your evening meal so that you can have the leftovers for lunch the next day.
- Waste nothing -The average family with children throws away almost £60 of good food every month. Be strict about buying only what you’ll actually eat.
- Buy frozen – Frozen fruit and vegetables are underrated. They come pre-chopped and ready to use, are just as good for you (try to avoid those with added salt, sugar or fat), and are often cheaper than fresh varieties.
- Try cheaper brands – You could save money by buying cheaper brands than you normally do. There’s not always much difference between value and premium ranges. Give it a go and let your taste buds be the judge, not the shiny label.
- Cook from scratch – Save money by cutting back on takeaways. Preparing and cooking your own meals is generally cheaper than buying a takeaway or a ready meal, and because it’s easier to control what goes in to your dish, it can be healthier.
- Beware of BOGOF offers – Special discounts such as buy-one-get-one-free (BOGOF) deals can offer good value, but be careful: only buy items you actually need and are likely to keep and use – tinned or frozen fruit and veg or rice and pasta are good examples.
- Think healthy – snacking on a carrot or an apple is much healthier than a chocolate bar – and much cheaper too!
