However, if you're desperate to eat, you may have no choice.

This is, indeed, the crux of the problem. A UBI done via the blockchain might help solve this. I don't trust governments to manage programs like this. If work was about getting more beyond the basics of what you need, work would be much more voluntary. Unfortunately, we as a species continually change our expectations and what we consider "basics" for survival. It's not just food, shelter, clothing, and a means of transportation. Now it's healthcare, Internet, a nice TV, eating out once in a while, etc, etc.