Foodbank bosses fear the number of people struggling to put food on the table could double as a result of the Universal Credit cut.
Renfrewshire Foodbank manager Crystal Clayton said her team is expecting huge queues to soon form outside distribution centres following the removal of the £20-a-week uplift.
The scheme - introduced by the UK Government in reaction to the covid crisis - ended last and which has left many families wondering how they will afford to eat or pay for their heating.
Crystal insists scores of people will be pushed into poverty and has urged ministers to think again.
"We are worried there’s going to be huge queues outside because people are going to have no choice," she said.
"I think the number of users could potentially double because it’s not just the Universal Credit cut, there are so many other external factors.
"Food and energy prices are going up and it’s all going to push a lot of people into poverty. It's coming up to winter as well.
"I really would urge the UK Government to reconsider this and put the uplift back in place. I do not think they realise how much of an impact this is going to have on people.
"It’s an extremely worrying time for a lot of people because £20-a-week is a lot of money. It's £80 a month they now don't have."
The UK Government has insisted the boost was always temporary to help people through the economic shock of the pandemic and the focus must now shift to getting people back into work and helping those in jobs progress and earn more.
But many have said the uplift should be made permanent, arguing benefit payments were not adequate enough before the crisis.
Crystal says the £20-a-week has meant lots of people have not had to worry about making the choice between eating and heating.
She explained: "I think that uplift helped people keep their heads above water.
"It meant lots didn’t have to choose whether to have their heating on or put food on the table.
"Now people might not be able to afford to eat properly or put the facilities on that they need to cook.
"There should be enough money for people to buy their own provisions and essentials. As much as we are here to help people, ideally, we don’t want food banks to have to exist."
Single claimants aged under 25 on Universal Credit will now receive £257.33 per month down from £344, while those over 25 will get £324.84 instead of £411.51.
Couples who are both under 25 and claiming will receive £403.93 per month rather than £490.60, and couples over 25 will get £509.91 instead of £596.58.
The food bank - which has its main office in Renfrew - also offers financial advice to people struggling with money and Crystal believes this is a service people will need more now.
She added: "I think more people will be coming in for a bit of help to try and maximise their income."
Elizabeth Alexander, foodbank senior manager, said the charity is thankfully in a stable position at the moment thanks to tremendous backing from the community.
But she has made a plea for donations of some items which are running low.
She said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to the community for all their wonderful support. They are helping us provide the support we do.
"If anyone can help, we are currently looking for donations of diluting juice, long-life milk, chocolate and crisps, spreads like jam and marmalade, and household items like laundry detergent and toilet paper.”
Donations can be handed to the staff at the office in Westway, Porterfield Road, Renfrew. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 11.45am.
Distribution centres are located at Paisley Central Baptist Church in Lady Lane, St Paul's Church in Johnstone's Quarrelton Road, and Renfrew Baptist Church in Paisley Road, but these sites cannot accept donations.
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