A struggling single mother has claimed she is left with just $15 a week to feed her anorexic daughter after her Centrelink benefits were slashed.
She also revealed she has contemplated killing herself ‘daily’ ever since her JobSeeker payments were dramatically reduced by the Federal Government from April 1.
Leyla*, 28, from Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south-west, says that for the next few days until her next benefit payment she has to somehow feed herself, her mother as well as her step-daughter with a miserly $15.
‘My family hasn’t eaten properly for four weeks,’ she said. ‘It’s a shit life.’
Leyla*, 28, from Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south-west, says that for the next few days she has to somehow feed herself, her mother as well as her step-daughter, 16, with a miserly $15 (pictured her virtually empty fridge)
The struggling family of three rely on the generosity of strangers to help them not starve (pictured food donated to Vinnies in suburban Melbourne)
Compounding her tough situation is her step daughter recently moving in. The additional mouth to feed at home could send the family over the edge.
‘I don’t eat during the day. I’ve learnt to be able to fast until dinner,’ Leyla, who also has lost 40kg in recent months, told 7 News.
‘My 16-year-old (anorexic) step daughter is also trying to eat more, but we don’t have any food.’
Jobseeker benefits across Australia were slashed at the beginning of April when the coronavirus supplement was phased out, instantly reducing Leyla’s family’s weekly income by $150.
After Leyla pays off her debts, rent, electricity, water, medication, pet food and petrol, she is left with just $30 to feed her family for the next two weeks.
She revealed her family is often in ‘starvation town’ and simple life luxuries like a trip to the beach with a short train fare remain out of reach.
To ensure they don’t starve, the struggling family of three frequently hit up Vinnies and other local charities in Melbourne.
Getting a job is also virtually impossible, with Leyla diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia.
Her ‘crippling depression’ at her confronting life situation has also seen her contemplate suicide ’99 per cent of the time.’
While sympathetic, Services Australia have told Leyla to explore her Carer Payment, Carer Allowance and the Family Tax Benefit in a bid to improve her dire financial predicament.
Leyla’s daily battle is by no means an isolated case study.
Earlier this month, Lisa*, 44, from Pakenham in south-east Melbourne, spoke publicly after she suffered two strokes in September 2017 that left her permanently disabled and unable to return to work to support her family.
After being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and aphasia – a speech impairment – Lisa relied on JobSeeker benefits to survive during the pandemic.
‘During Covid the government gave everyone on Centrelink benefits a taste of what it’s like to live,’ she told 7News.
Victorian resident Leyla* (pictured right) is on struggle street after JobSeeker benefits were slashed last month
She said the benefits made her feel like she ‘was part of society’ and helped her save up $4,000 for emergencies.
Her payments went from $350 a fortnight to $885 during the pandemic, before dropping back down to a new low of $330.
‘How dare the government give a sense of importance or some glimpse of a sustainable life and then just take all that money away and make us live like peasants again,’ she said.
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The mother says she is now only left with $20 per fortnight for food to feed her 18-year-old daughter who is recovering from anorexia.
Despite her beloved daughter weighing just 36kg, Lisa said it’s a ‘constant pressure’ seeing her daughter ‘so skinny, and not feed her fruit or vegetables.’
In a desperate attempt to feed her family, Lisa was recently caught stealing bananas, milk, bread, washing detergent, shampoo and conditioner.
She said the store let her off with a warning but did not want to ‘make it a habit of stealing food to eat.’
Lisa’s daughter (pictured) is battling anorexia, weighing just 36kg and in ‘urgent need’ of regular fruit and vegetables
‘I feel really ashamed doing that, it’s so shameful, it’s embarrassing,’ she said.
The mother-of-three said to save money she only eats one meal a day – a single doughnut and three to four instant $1 coffees from 7-Eleven.
‘Either that, or I eat noodles or baked beans or go without,’ she added.
The 44-year-old said she doesn’t know how she will continue feeding her daughter as the cupboards are ‘looking bare’.
Between herself and her 18-year-old daughter, Lisa has only $120 in savings and the pair receive additional payments from Centrelink and $50 per month for child support.
Despite her ongoing struggles, Lisa’s application for the disability support pension was rejected in March.
Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said they are unable to discuss individual cases but they have contacted the customer to ensure she’s receiving all available support.
‘We appreciate this is an extremely difficult situation for the customer and her family,’ Mr Jongen said.
The 44-year-old said for her meals she sometimes only has one doughnut per day and 7-Eleven coffees (pictured)
‘We recognise medical conditions can have a significant impact on people’s lives, however, we do not have any discretion to grant payments outside the very clear criteria set down in legislation.’
‘We encourage anyone experiencing financial hardship to contact us.’
‘We have social workers and specialist staff to assist people in vulnerable or complex circumstances.’
A Department of Social Services spokesperson said that during the pandemic they have stood side-by-side with all Australians and their permanent arrangements continue to make good on that commitment to supporting Australians as they look for work.
‘On 1 April 2021, the Australian Government provided the single biggest year on year increase to the rate of unemployment benefits since 1986 – an increase of 9.7 per cent increase between 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2021,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The Government has put permanent policy settings in place that support Australians to seek work as the economy continues to reopen and we see positive indicators of economic growth.’
‘Our working age payments system strikes the right balance between support for people while they look for a job and incentives to work while ensuring the sustainability of our social security safety net.’
For 24/7, confidential support call Lifeline on 13 11 14
*Both names have been changed for privacy reasons
Source: Daily Mail
