Each fortnight, Kerrie pays for gas, electricity, groceries and rent on a one-bedroom apartment in Islington. By the time she does that, she has almost no money left.
The 70-year-old has lived off Centrelink for around 20 years after resigning from work for health reasons. She said weekly payments, which have raised incrementally, cover "everything", along with Friday lunches at the Salvation Army and a weekly visit to another centre.
