Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697638146176.pdf (Australia)
To the Senate Committee for Community Affairs Inquiry into the Adequacy of Newstart and Related Payments Dear Senate Committee Members, Let me introduce myself, I am a 53-year-old mum of 3, who’s married, resides in the township of 2006.

Vic.

My husband and I are both unemployed, having been so since We have both completed courses to reskill ourselves in order to seek employment, however, at the ages of 53 and 65 – my husband having had a heart attack in 2011.
With the basic amount provided on Newstart does not leave you with much to survive on for food, medication including fuel for transport.

Once rent is deducted ($345 from both our payments) along with the Centre Pay deductions for bill payments, we are left with $137.77 per week for food, medication and fuel.

Our rent is $345 per week and only receive $130 per fortnight in rent assistance.
Over 70% of our payments go to accommodation, the remaining amount puts us in a dilemma when it comes to fuel as my husband travels 4 days a week to his course in Werribee, there is a minimal amount left for medication and food.

At present, we are only allowed to get help from the local food bank once a month, but we still go without food or medication.
My husband and I have a number of health issues for which we require to see specialists for treatment, however, we are afforded the system of public health waiting lists of those who bulk bill.

There have been times when we have gone without our medication that costs about $116.00 per month between the 2 of us until the Safety Net kicks in, but we are also unable to take some generic medication due to the fillers used and are only able to take original medications that increase our costs monthly.
I have not seen a Dentist since 2005 and have some dental issues, however, I will keep going with my issues as waiting for an appointment with the dental hospital is a long wait, as the children are taken care of first.

Who knows, I may have to have teeth extracted with no replacements, just a lovely smile with missing teeth.
Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support paymentsin AustraliaSubmission 375 I have mental health issues thanks to going without a payment for 2 weeks, calling daily, on hold for about 2 hours to find out when I can expect payment.

During this time while searching for answers and not being received did not do my anxiety any good, even thinking of suicide at the time.
I feel Newstart really needs to increase by approximately $100 - $130 per week for those over 50 years of age and have been on Centrelink payments for over 5 years to cover rent along with medications.

Let’s do the right thing, increase Newstart and get us out of poverty and living in our cars.

Regards, Monika Thomas.

Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support paymentsin AustraliaSubmission 375