How to Get a Food Bank Voucher in the UK (Step by Step)
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Most food banks ask for a food bank voucher before they give out a parcel, so it helps to know who can give you one and how the process works.
This guide explains how to get a food bank voucher, how to find a food bank near you and what to do if you would rather not use a referral.
It also covers help from your council and a free way to check which benefits you may be entitled to. The facts come from official sources.
- Food banks, community pantries and council schemes operate across the UK, each with its own rules
- A food bank referral is usually given as a voucher
- Doctors, social workers, housing associations and Citizens Advice can often refer you
- Some independent food banks and pantries work without a referral
What is a food bank referral?
A food bank referral is a recommendation from a professional or an organisation that you could use a food bank. It is usually given as a voucher, which you take to the food bank and exchange for an emergency food parcel. Many food banks work this way so that help reaches people who have been assessed by someone who knows their situation.
The process is explained by Citizens Advice, which also notes that a voucher may only be valid on a specific day, so check the dates with the person who gives it to you.
You do not have to explain everything in detail. A referrer will usually ask a few questions to understand your situation and to decide whether a food bank is the right kind of help. Even when a referral is not possible, advisers can often point you to other support, such as help with debt or with problems with benefits.
Who can give you a food bank voucher?
Every food bank works with its own referral partners, so the best starting point is to ask your local food bank who it accepts referrals from. In general, these are the people most often named:
- Your doctor or health visitor
- A social worker
- A housing association
- Citizens Advice, which usually books an appointment first so an adviser can check your situation
- Other local advice charities
If you cannot reach any of these, Citizens Advice says your local council may be able to tell you how to get a referral. A referral can usually cover you and the people you live with.
If you have used a food bank before, an adviser may ask why you still need support, and will refer you if they think it is the best way to help. That is a normal part of the process, and it is how Citizens Advice describes it.
Here is a simple way to go about it:
Use the finders named below and note how that food bank takes referrals.
Try Citizens Advice, your doctor, a housing association or a local advice charity.
Explain your situation and ask whether they can give you a food bank voucher.
Read the voucher dates and the name of the food bank before you go.
How to find a food bank near you
If you search for a food bank near me, you will see many results, and not all food banks belong to the same network. The Trussell food bank finder is the official place to look for food banks in its network, and the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) shares information about independent food banks. IFAN does not refer individuals, but it can point you to groups in your area. For community pantries, see Your Local Pantry.
We do not list addresses or opening times, because they change. Always check the details with the food bank itself before you travel.
When you contact a food bank, it can help to ask a few short questions:
- Do I need a referral or a voucher, and who do you accept it from?
- Can I refer myself, or do I need to go through an organisation?
- What days and times are you open for collections?
- Do I need to bring anything, such as proof of address?
- Is there anything I should tell you in advance, such as dietary needs?
Can you go to a food bank without a referral?
Sometimes. Citizens Advice notes that some food banks, such as church-run ones, may be used without a referral, and some community pantries, fridges and independent food banks have their own rules. A few ask for proof of where you live, and some pantries work as a membership scheme where members pay a small fee and choose their groceries.
Other independent food banks do ask for a referral, so a short phone call or message before you go can save you a journey. Asking whether they accept self-referrals is a good first question.
A quick checklist before you go: have your voucher or confirmation, check the opening day and time, and take a bag if the food bank suggests it. If you cannot collect in person, ask whether someone else can collect for you or whether there is another option.
Emergency food help from your council
In England, the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2026. According to the GOV.UK guidance for local authorities, councils run a scheme called Crisis Payment, which is cash-first and mainly application-based, and they must offer at least two ways to apply. Each council sets its own rules, so the support you can get depends on where you live.
Use the GOV.UK council finder to reach your council’s website and look for its crisis support page. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the schemes are different, so check your own council or Citizens Advice.
When you apply for council support, have the details the council asks for ready, such as who lives in your household and what has changed. Because each council has its own application form and process, read its page carefully and ask the council if anything is unclear.
Check the benefits you’re entitled to
Food bank help is short term. It is also worth checking whether you are claiming everything you are entitled to, because many people never run the check. A free benefits calculator, such as the one from Turn2us, can give you an idea of what you may qualify for before you apply.
On the next page you can see why people miss out, how to use a calculator and which benefits are most often forgotten.
This is an independent information website. We are not a food bank, charity, advice service or government body, and we are not affiliated with the Trussell organisation, IFAN, Your Local Pantry, Citizens Advice, Turn2us, GOV.UK or the NHS. We do not give out food, vouchers or benefits and we cannot tell you whether you qualify. Rules differ between areas and can change, so always check with the organisation or your council before you rely on anything here. Information was checked against official sources (GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, Trussell, IFAN and Turn2us) on 14 October 2026.
