Charity, Anglicare Australia surveyed more 600 people on unemployment benefits and found their quality of life significantly improved, with the extra 250 dollars a fortnight.
The charities survey found:
Pre-COVID, 41 per cent of respondents were living on less than $7 a day after they paid rent and 72 per cent were regularly skipping meals.
But, when the coronavirus supplement came into play, the number of people living on less than $7 a day halved.
And 58 per cent said they would be able to afford more stable housing if the supplement was made permanent.
A spokesperson for Social Services Minister Anne Ruston told SBS News "the Government is focused on striking a balance between temporary, enhanced support for unemployed Australians while the labour market remains shallow and at the same time as incentivising people to take up work as it becomes available."
To hear the full report click on the audio link above.
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