Income support not enough, some say

SKIPPING meals to pay for rent or medicine and going without heating or cooling are just some of the things people on income support are doing to manage financial stress as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Hamilton Salvos community development worker and ministry assistant, Mark Thomas, collects and distributes donated items throughout the area every week and says people are really struggling with the rising cost of living. Photo: GLENN GUY.

By Lizzie Hallam

April 02, 2023 | 7:00 AM

WITH a higher proportion of people in the postcode 3300 (Hamilton) not in the labour force at 38.3 per cent compared to the Victorian and national percentages of 32.2 and 33.1 per cent respectively, it’s a likely conclusion that a larger percentage are on income support.

It is this demographic that is doing it tougher as the cost-of-living soars, according to a report released by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) on Monday.