Single parents struggle after shift to Newstart      :(

Date
    May 22, 2013


Doing it tough: Carolyn Carey says she cannot afford asthma medication for her son.     :(

A bleak picture of disadvantage among single parents forced onto Newstart has emerged, with a new Salvation Army report finding the contentious policy has compounded levels of deprivation.    

The survey of 2705 people who used the organisation's emergency relief services in March highlighted the impact of the Gillard government's decision to shift 84,000 single parents on to the lower-paying Newstart allowance.

Compared with last year's survey, there was a 12 per cent increase in people on Newstart seeking help from the organisation.

More than 40 per cent were single parents with children older than seven - the age at which parents are forced off parenting payments onto Newstart.


The Salvation Army said it was concerning that 7 per cent of single parents were homeless - with 5 per cent on Newstart, and 2 per cent receiving parenting payments.

The report said the changes were having a ''marked impact'' on single parents and their levels of deprivation.

"Since I have been put on Newstart, I am unable to afford the rent I signed a contract on, and have had to break my lease and move into a caravan, making my life very hard. I am forced to live substandard," a respondent to the survey said.      :(

Despite a sustained campaign by community and welfare groups for an increase in Newstart, the federal budget increased by only $19 the amount unemployed people could earn before welfare payments were reduced.

But the Salvation Army report stressed the problems many disadvantaged people had in finding work in the first place. Job search and employment services were not working for those people who were significantly disadvantaged, it said.

"As such, for many, there is little room to move forward and no capacity to move up and out of disadvantage," the report said.

But despite their struggles, the report argued that "people want to work and to provide a more sustained and adequate standard of living for themselves and their children". It revealed the dire position faced by those seeking help, with 51 per cent often going without meals so they could feed their children.      :(

The struggle to pay bills was also underlined, with 58 per cent delaying payment of utility bills, and about a third delaying rent or mortgage payments.

Carolyn Carey, a 50-year-old childcare worker from Campsie, describes herself as a ''good budgeter'' but money is often tight depending on how many hours she works each week.

''Sometimes I work 20 hours a week but other times it's only 10 hours,'' she said. ''My income is lower but my rent and bills stay the same.''

After spending $240 a week on rent and about $150 a week on groceries, there is not much left for emergencies.

''The unexpected things are hard to manage,'' she said.

''David needs new glasses and he needs medication for his asthma. I can't really budget for things like that, I just can't afford to.''      :(

Ms Carey, who is studying for a diploma in children's services to improve her job prospects, said she hated to constantly tell David he could not have all the things he wanted.

''It's been a struggle trying to raise him,'' she said. ''I can give him all the love that mothers do but financially it's been really hard. As David grows up, I can get away with buying the $7 jeans - he wants the labels.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-parents-struggle-after-shift-to-newstart-20130521-2jyyp.html#ixzz2TxySq6cY

Does Carolyn smoke? Does Carolyn have Foxtel connected? Does Carolyn own a vehicle? Where is young David's father? Has David's father made a contribution to his son's upbringing? Why did Carolyn decide to be a single parent without weighing up the consequences?

wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 8:00am:

Single parents struggle after shift to Newstart      :( Date     May 22, 2013 Doing it tough: Carolyn Carey says she cannot afford asthma medication for her son.     :( A bleak picture of disadvantage among single parents forced onto Newstart has emerged, with a new Salvation Army report finding the contentious policy has compounded levels of deprivation.     The survey of 2705 people who used the organisation's emergency relief services in March highlighted the impact of the Gillard government's decision to shift 84,000 single parents on to the lower-paying Newstart allowance. Compared with last year's survey, there was a 12 per cent increase in people on Newstart seeking help from the organisation. More than 40 per cent were single parents with children older than seven - the age at which parents are forced off parenting payments onto Newstart. The Salvation Army said it was concerning that 7 per cent of single parents were homeless - with 5 per cent on Newstart, and 2 per cent receiving parenting payments. The report said the changes were having a ''marked impact'' on single parents and their levels of deprivation. "Since I have been put on Newstart, I am unable to afford the rent I signed a contract on, and have had to break my lease and move into a caravan, making my life very hard. I am forced to live substandard," a respondent to the survey said.      :( Despite a sustained campaign by community and welfare groups for an increase in Newstart, the federal budget increased by only $19 the amount unemployed people could earn before welfare payments were reduced. But the Salvation Army report stressed the problems many disadvantaged people had in finding work in the first place. Job search and employment services were not working for those people who were significantly disadvantaged, it said. "As such, for many, there is little room to move forward and no capacity to move up and out of disadvantage," the report said. But despite their struggles, the report argued that "people want to work and to provide a more sustained and adequate standard of living for themselves and their children". It revealed the dire position faced by those seeking help, with 51 per cent often going without meals so they could feed their children.      :( The struggle to pay bills was also underlined, with 58 per cent delaying payment of utility bills, and about a third delaying rent or mortgage payments. Carolyn Carey, a 50-year-old childcare worker from Campsie, describes herself as a ''good budgeter'' but money is often tight depending on how many hours she works each week. ''Sometimes I work 20 hours a week but other times it's only 10 hours,'' she said. ''My income is lower but my rent and bills stay the same.'' After spending $240 a week on rent and about $150 a week on groceries, there is not much left for emergencies. ''The unexpected things are hard to manage,'' she said. ''David needs new glasses and he needs medication for his asthma. I can't really budget for things like that, I just can't afford to.''      :( Ms Carey, who is studying for a diploma in children's services to improve her job prospects, said she hated to constantly tell David he could not have all the things he wanted. ''It's been a struggle trying to raise him,'' she said. ''I can give him all the love that mothers do but financially it's been really hard. As David grows up, I can get away with buying the $7 jeans - he wants the labels.'' Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-parents-struggle-after-shift-to-newstart-20130521-2jyyp.html#ixzz2TxySq6cY

Where is the father??

I'm asthmatic, my ventilin costs $2.50. I buy one every six months or so. What's to budget?

shoot $150 a week on groceries for two...and she calls that good management.....cant get away with cheap Jeans whos fault is that??? he wouldnt know about labels if you didnt tell him...me thinks the Salvos need to take a good look at whom they are siding with..

if thats poor god help the real poor.

John Smith wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 8:43am:

I'm asthmatic, my ventilin costs $2.50. I buy one every six months or so. What's to budget?

Bullsh1t Giovanni.

BTW it's VENTOLIN.

KJT1981 wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 9:04am:

John Smith wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 8:43am: I'm asthmatic, my ventilin costs $2.50. I buy one every six months or so. What's to budget? Bullsh1t Giovanni. BTW it's VENTOLIN.

ohh looky, the retard made an appearance.

KJT1981 wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 9:04am:

John Smith wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 8:43am: I'm asthmatic, my ventilin costs $2.50. I buy one every six months or so. What's to budget? Bullsh1t Giovanni. BTW it's VENTOLIN.

Chinese version......

Ventolin inhalers cost about $7.50.

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 9:43am:

Ventolin inhalers cost about $7.50.

And ONE MONTH'S SUPPLY ( ... if on  prescription by a GP) costs no more than $5.90 with a Newstart Health Card - or less than twenty cents a day

The story is more worthy of Today Tonight, than the once quality - pre-tabloid - Fairfax publication

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 9:43am:

Ventolin inhalers cost about $7.50.

I paid $7.50 when i was visiting in NSW last month
but I usually pay $2.50 when I'm back home on the Gold Coast.

I see. Which chemist is that?

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 10:33am:

I see. Which chemist is that?

I believe it's an Amcal, but I could be wrong.

salad in wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 8:30am:

Does Carolyn smoke? Does Carolyn have Foxtel connected? Does Carolyn own a vehicle? Where is young David's father? Has David's father made a contribution to his son's upbringing? Why did Carolyn decide to be a single parent without weighing up the consequences?

Why does salad in ask so many questions?

ASMOL $13.90 for 2 without the down trodden concession....

Another crook Crook story.....

certainly i see many people who cannot afford their medication and have seen disastrous consequences from this.

again, it is NOT the welfare recipient who is suffering as their meds are usually capped at $5.70 per item.

but i can name a half dozen working poor who have had a myocardial infarct and been discharged on the standard mix, have not been able to afford it and have had another cardiac event as a consequence

this would normally be
coversyl
betaloc
plavix
lipitor
nitro lingual spray
norvasc

the cost of these items per month to a working poor person may be $200 a month at least.

now when private truck driver or private roof tiler or private cabbie has a heart attack, he may already be behind in his mortgage and in hock on the credit card when he returns to work.

again, whilst or assylum seeker comrades are looked after by the do gooders. as he is NOT on welfare (yet) he will recieve the cold shoulder.

many times i have been asked to select which one or two of the medications are the most important for him to stay on ,
and , as i say, i have seen guys re infarct and die because they could not afford the full quota.

this is why i call for help for our working poor and if the welfare recipients have to do with a little less to keep these small business heroes alive , i say, fair enough

John Smith wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 10:02am:

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 9:43am: Ventolin inhalers cost about $7.50. I paid $7.50 when i was visiting in NSW last month but I usually pay $2.50 when I'm back home on the Gold Coast.

You are full of it Giovanni. $2.50 is bullsh1t.

KJT1981 wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 9:18pm:

John Smith wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 10:02am: Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 9:43am: Ventolin inhalers cost about $7.50. I paid $7.50 when i was visiting in NSW last month but I usually pay $2.50 when I'm back home on the Gold Coast. You are full of it Giovanni. $2.50 is bullsh1t.

and you're still a d1ckhead.

John Smith wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 8:43am:

I'm asthmatic, my ventilin costs $2.50. I buy one every six months or so. What's to budget?

Seriously? You try paying rent on the dole and also buying meds and food. She prolly hasn't got the money for the rent.

Also it may not be ventolin he needs but something more expensive and stronger.

SOB

ventolin to health care card holders is $5.70 for 2.

over the counter it varies from about $7.50 to $13 for 1  depending on whether the pharmacist is upgrading his bmw ;)

.

salad in wrote on May 22^nd, 2013 at 8:30am:

Does Carolyn smoke? Does Carolyn have Foxtel connected? Does Carolyn own a vehicle? Where is young David's father? Has David's father made a contribution to his son's upbringing? Why did Carolyn decide to be a single parent without weighing up the consequences?

ALL irrelevant.

It's her money, she can spend it as [b]she[/b] sees fit.

YOU/I should have NO say in it.

Can't help noticing the same knockers with the same tired old put-downs
are once more out of the woodwork and out from under their rocks.

Kat wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 8:43am:

salad in wrote on May 22nd, 2013 at 8:30am: Does Carolyn smoke? Does Carolyn have Foxtel connected? Does Carolyn own a vehicle? Where is young David's father? Has David's father made a contribution to his son's upbringing? Why did Carolyn decide to be a single parent without weighing up the consequences? ALL irrelevant. It's her money, she can spend it as [b]she[/b] sees fit. YOU/I should have NO say in it. Can't help noticing the same knockers with the same tired old put-downs are once more out of the woodwork and out from under their rocks.

Those questions are very relevant. I have no problem with her life choices but I am not interested in her bleatings IF she has made unfinancial choices.

Now crawl back into your cave.