Almost three quarters of people receiving income support are eating less or skipping meals due to the low rate of payments and rising cost of living, according to this report.

The research – which surveyed 270 people living on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment in July and August 2023 – also found the upcoming increase to rates will not be enough to prevent 'widespread distress'.

JobSeeker will be $54 a day and Youth Allowance $43 when the $20-a-week increase announced in the May Budget and 2.2 per cent indexation are implemented on 20 September 2023.

Key findings:

• 73% are eating less or skipping meals while 64% are cutting back on meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and other fresh items
• 73% are cutting back on heating or cooling their homes, 62 per cent are cutting back on using lights, and 54% are taking fewer hot showers
• 60% experienced difficulty affording the medicine or medical care they needed. 98% said that the low rate of income support harmed their mental health and 93% said it harmed their physical health
• 72% said they use their car less than normal, and a further 15% don’t use their car at all. 52% had difficulty getting to work or appointments
• 94% of people renting privately are in rental stress, paying more than 30% of their income on rent.