How to register as a vulnerable customer and get priority home delivery from supermarkets

With life under lockdown continuing in the UK, people are beginning to adjust to isolating in their homes.

However, being able to get access to essentials like groceries and other items is still an obstacle that vulnerable members of society are struggling with.

In an effort to ensure that everyone gets access to daily essentials, supermarkets are ensuring that vulnerable customers are being catered to with priority home delivery slots.

What is a vulnerable customer?

As defined by the government, extremely vulnerable people are those with certain conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness from the Covid-19 strain of the coronavirus.

This includes people who have had organ transplants, or who have specific cancers or respiratory conditions.

You can read more about the full list of people considered extremely vulnerable here.

Supermarkets are trying to ensure that all their vulnerable customers have access to everything they need via home deliveries.

How do I register as a vulnerable customer?

Supermarkets are working from government lists identifying who the vulnerable people who have online accounts with them are.

You can register as a vulnerable person, or on behalf of someone else, on the government website here.

The website states: “You may have received a letter from the NHS telling you that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, or been contacted by your GP or hospital clinician.

“If this has not happened, contact your GP or clinician after you register with this service.”

You should be aware that this service is only available in England.

After you click ‘start now’, you’ll be taken to an online questionnaire.

It’ll start by asking “do you live in England” and then the next question will ask: “Have you recently had a letter from the NHS about your situation as someone who’s extremely vulnerable to coronavirus?”

Regardless of whether you answer “yes”, “no” or “not sure”, you’ll then be taken to the next question which asks about what medical condition you have that makes you extremely vulnerable.

You’ll then need to fill out your personal details.

This is how supermarkets are aiding vulnerable people - there are different processes for different supermarkets, so this is what you need to know for all the major supermarket chains across the UK.