Australians on income support are struggling to afford essential foods and utilities amid rising living costs.
The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), conducted a survey of 760 recipients of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and the Parenting Payment, which showed that three-quarters of those receiving support payments find it difficult to afford necessary medications, with 51 per cent skipping meals.
To manage their situations, 71 per cent are cutting back on food, and 81 per cent reduce car use.
During winter, 68 per cent limit heating or cooling and 54 per cent use fewer lights, while 42 per cent go to bed early to save money on utilities.
Rental stress affects 94 per cent, who are spending over 30 per cent of income on rent.
Acting CEO for ACOSS, Edwina MacDonald, highlighted severe impacts on physical and mental health due to insufficient funds, calling Australia’s income support “seriously damaging”.
She has called for urgent increases, noting that 92 per cent of payment recipients report negative mental health effects.